We hit the trail and is followed along a series of lakes for a while. The trail was muddy in spots and we saw a lot of moose prints.
We forded a very cold stream that went about knee deep.
We were in the trees for a while but could still see the mountains up high all around us. Finally we popped out of the trees and saw an awesome waterfall.
From there, the trail turned up sharply and we started the ascent to the pass. About a 3000ft climb. The wind also picked up big time. We sometimes had to lean forward so we wouldn't get pushed over. One extremely strong gust literally made me fall back a couple steps and Heather and Andy had dropped to the ground so they wouldn't do the same.
Higher up in the pass, the trail was cut in to the rocks. The grade was also unrelenting and we were all relieved to finally make it to the top.
The backside of the pass descended all the way to the famous road that cuts through the middle of the park called "Going to the sun road". When we got there we started talking about the rest of the days miles. Per our National Park permit, we had to hike 2 miles on the CDT, but then take a 6 mile side trail to a campsite we were required to stay at. That would mean we had to backtrack those 6 miles in the morning then do 15 miles to our next camp. OR we could hitchhike down the road, stay at a campground in St. Mary, in the morning we would get a ride back to the trailhead and just do a 17 mile day (those 2 miles to the turnoff then 15 miles to camp). This would save us 12 non-CDT miles.
Just as we were discussing an older couple walked up and told us about some fresh bear scat they'd seen down the trail. We continued talking and they ended up offering us a ride down to St
Mary. So that was easy!
They dropped us off at the campground and we got a site. Took a shower and hung out. Tomorrow we will try to get a ride back up to the trail.
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