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| Hiking | 9.23 Miles |
2,402 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.23 Miles | 4 Hrs 40 Mns | | 2.07 mph |
| 2,402 ft AEG | 13 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The weather forecast had us waiting until the last minute before deciding to go through with this hike. Later than usual start since it seemed like we had a good weather window between 1000-1500, so we got started around 0930. However, the side trip to Lunch Peak was cut from our initial plans, which didn't matter since we've driven to the top of that peak a couple of times.
Once on the trail, we were able to find the start of Gordon Creek #161 this time. My daughter and I missed it last year, but found it as we were finishing. Adding that waypoint to my old track helped, because the start of the trail is still a little vague. There was still smoke today, but more fog than anything, which made for some fresher air. Gordon Creek is a nice trail. Narrow, doesn't seem to get a whole lot of use, but all the deadfall had been cleared. Thanks to this morning's rain, just walking through the vegetation had us soaked within a few minutes. Dry legs or feet did not exist today. Lots of bear scat on the trail.
Added a rain jacket to the mix just before reaching the Divide trail. The rain stayed light, but just enough to want the jacket. Headed north on the Divide trail, then up to the summit of Mt Pend Oreille. Heavy fog obscured most views, but it's still a great summit. I'd guess it was about 40 degrees at the top, and some of the rain seemed more like sleet. Headed back down, then down the Lake Darling trail. The top of Lake Darling was fine, then true to my prediction from the guide I posted last year, the overgrown mile was a mess. No deadfall, but head high vegetation completely obscuring the trail. Had I not had a spot on track from the last hike here, it would have sucked. Regardless, I knew the way down and it was a matter of pushing through soaking wet brush (no thorns, thank goodness) and trying not to stumble over any obstacles. Startled one elk on the way down.
Once on the west side of Lake Darling, the trail mostly cleared up, and the rain stopped too. Quick peek at the lake then the easy final two miles to finish up. Thousands of tiny frogs all around the lake. At first, I thought they were small crickets or grasshoppers jumping everywhere, but it was all frogs. The sun came out near the finish just after 1400. Great day despite the rain and soaked vegetation. The Cabinet Mtns just might be my favorites. |
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| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
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