Hiking Dude Blog

I walked 61700 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 24 miles today.
8/5/17 We had the option of hiking the PNT route or an alternate today.  The choice was between a 17 mile climb up a burned out, bone dry ridge or a 24 mile climb along a creek in a shaded forest - we took the longer route and that made all the difference. From the Kootenai River at 1700 feet, we hiked uphill all day to Pyramid Pass at 6700 feet before dropping down a bit to camp at Pyramid Lake.  So, today was a long mile+ of elevation gain but the campsite was beautiful.  Right by a high alpine lake with trout jumping and a 700 foot rock wall as a backdrop was a perfect place for our little shelter. The forest was a nice cedar and pine refuge from the heat of the day and we had no problem with finding water. We met one couple that was hiking the trail for two days, and a large group of about 10 people had filled the main campsite at the lake. The smoke wasn't too bad today and the moon and stars were very nice in the night.

I walked 12640 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 5 miles today.
8/4/17 Josh's friend drove us from Lutherhaven to our trail head above Bonner's Ferry late in the evening and we just road walked to the Kootenai River levy and threw down our tent. Waved to a few farmers as we walked but that was it. The sun was blood red as it set from all the forest fire smoke and the nearly full moon rose a bright orange.

I finished hiking for today. You can check out my current location on the map and I'll post about my day when I am in coverage.

I finished hiking for today. You can check out my current location on the map and I'll post about my day when I am in coverage.

I finished hiking for today. You can check out my current location on the map and I'll post about my day when I am in coverage.

I finished hiking for today. You can check out my current location on the map and I'll post about my day when I am in coverage.

I finished hiking for today. You can check out my current location on the map and I'll post about my day when I am in coverage.

I finished hiking for today. You can check out my current location on the map and I'll post about my day when I am in coverage.

I walked 11400 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 5 miles today.
7/26/17 We actually walked about 18 miles today, but only the first 5 were on the PNT.  The rest were along us95 trying to get from the trail crossing about 15 miles north of Bonner's Ferry down to Coeur d'Alene about 90 miles south.  We will be off trail for 10 days working at Camp Lutherhaven.  Josh worked here for 2 summers and I worked here 37 years ago.  This is where my wife and I met and its our 30th anniversary next week.  She is driving out here with a friend to be here this weekend for a dutch oven cooking and wine tasting ladies event.  I've been asked to present about cooking so that should be fun.  Next week, we're just doing whatever is needed. Anyway, we made it to CDA but it was a fun, long day getting here.  Up at our usual time but in a new time zone so we were actually starting wire early.  No water except that which we had carried over the mountain yesterday.  We walked the miles on dirt road down to the busy us95 and headed south.  We hiked on for two hours as cars zoomed past.  I used my 'To Town' sign and cars zoomed past.  We stuck out our thumbs and cars zoomed past... Continue...

Day 14 part 2 We were getting pretty disappointed when Lynn stopped her little pickup.  She stashed her garbage can by a tree to make room for us in the back and we were on Bonner's Ferry a few minutes later.  At the grocery store, we bought more than we could eat, sat in the cool store and had lunch.  Then, back into the 90+ degrees slowly walking south with thumbs up and new CDA sign we made at the store.  90 minutes later, Gavin offered us a ride to Sandpoint so we upgraded to an air conditioned pickup.  He is just starting his own construction company and is waiting to hear if he won his first house bid. In Sandpoint, we cooled off in McDonald's and then back to the road.  This time, we decided to try for an hour and, if no ride, we would stay and watch the Spiderman movie.  Just as our time was up, a guy stopped his pickup and honked.  We piled in the back and were off down the road.  A fast hot windy ride got us to the northern reaches of CDA.  From there, were walked a couple more hours, stopping along the way to cool off in stores.  About 7pm Josh's friend at camp contacted him and then picked us up.  So, for $25 and 17 miles of walking and 13 hours, we made it from trail to 'home'.  I won't be posting much until we head back out.