15-08-23   Day 134.  Schaffer Outpost – Mark Trail CDT

Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
Mark Trail CDT 2015

I think it was the coldest morning since Colorado. The transpired water on the inside of the tent froze solid by the time I got ready to pack it up. My feet were frozen….

I hiked two and a half miles to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. I was crossing my fingers hoping for a bridge but no luck. I guess that’s why they call it Wild…erness. That didn’t help me at Seven in the morning fording the river bare foot. Good thing I wasn’t in Church… I was grumbling in the worse way….The bright side is that all Outposts have privys….and I was ready for a privy. Sure enough I found the privy and it was a nice one. Someone was at the door so I finished reading the morning paper and said “Good Morning, where can I get some water for coffee?”. Christa said she would be right up for some coffee.  “Come on in”. The “Office” looked like a kitchen with a stove for cooking and a wood burning stove for heat…It was still freezing outside and Christa served COFFEE….”Would you like a piece of pie?” REAL HOMEMADE APPLE PIE. One minute my feet are fording and freezing, the next minute I am sitting next to a stove having coffee and HOMEMADE APPLE PIE!!!!  WOW. I had to pry myself away and hike on. Thank you Schaffer Outpost…..especially Christa!

I hiked along the Flathead River then switched to the Morrison Creek,  and lastly Lodgepole Creek, before turning straight up from 5,200 ft to 6,600 ft. I had to take my shoes off to ford the Morrison and Lodgepole. Gosh, I am determined to keep me feet dry today….for a change….

 When I finally got to the top of a no named pass I looked at where I might camp. Badger Outpost was to far away. I hiked mostly downhill and made great time. By the time I got back on the CDT, it was time to get off and hike directly to the Outpost. Maybe I could make it. As I came around the corner to the outpost, a scene from outer space appeared. The whole camp had been wrapped in aluminum foil….. Really… And sprinklers set up all around it…… Fire…..Did they leave me a fire suit? .Nope……. Because I hiked late, I am set up for thirty miles to East Glacier. ..Yea. Home baked COOKIES waiting for me the post office…

Badger Guard Station. 24 Miles

#cdt #continentaldividetrail #cdt2015 #marktrail #marktrailcdt #marktrailhikes #marktrailrocks #thruhike #thruhiking #backpacking #triplecrown #montana