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We are currently on another long distance hike, and the third leg of our "triple crown", the Continental Divide Trail (the "CDT"). Come along with us if you can - if not in person then by following our grand adventure via our "posts from the trail".  Check out our Flickr Photos, which we'll update periodically, and see it through our eyes!

Our Credo...

"Success: To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Journal July 29 – A Little Sleep Deprived

Slept in, but the body still needed rest. As happens often, we stayed up later in town and return to the trail needing to sleep.

Long climb out of Ontario creek, but eventually the trail leveled out and we rolled along alternating between trail tread and jeep tread. Surrounding us is a forest of mostly young Lodgepole pine and an understory of Whortleberry. Occasional ripe Strawberris continue to delight The Carrot.

We entered the Little Blackfoot Meadows proposed wilderness area and took an alternate walk down to the meadows and up a creek basin – our first walk along water in well over a week. We lunched in the shade near a delightful creek; unfortunately, so did the mosquitoes.

The valley seems remote, and we are told the upper reaches are a likely Grizzley Bear denning site. We haven’t seen a soul since seeing a couple of day hikers just south of MacDonald pass yesterday. Our feeling of solitude is broken only by the tire tracks on the trail from motorcycles, who aren’t supposed to be in this area.

We return to the crest and the trail follows the divide. Here the divide is mostly forested, with an occassional meadow. The slopes are gentle and there are marshy pockets amongst the meadows. The water in the marshes is brackish and liberally laced with Elk sign – not good for drinking, but excellent breeding ground for hordes of hungry mosquitoes. They follow us closely as we walk faster and faster. We’re unable to out walk them. When we need to stop and consult the map in an unmarked meadow, we first pull out the deet, then read the map quickly and move on.

We gain a dry ridge, forested but with a light breeze and fewer mosquitos. It’s a bit lumpy, but light is fading, so we’ll make do and make camp.

Miles – approx 18.1

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Clicking on any of these photos will take you to that specific photo on our Flickr Stream, where you can view these and many, many more photos from our latest adventure....or use this shortcut to all photos.....we hope you enjoy them!

People Shots

CDT20101_NMWCWMCDT2010_TheTrailCDT2010_NMWC-1Carrot After a Trail BathCarrot Stream Crossing #3,768Carrot on the Trail stillCarrot takes a Trail BathCarrot Stream Crossing #5.875Carrot on the TrailCliff Dwelling SignCarrot takes a PhotoCarrot Stream Crossing # 2,115

Scenic Shots

CDT2010-valleyCDT2010_yellowflowersCarrot on the Trail 3ScenicPotty BreakScenicCliff Dwelling Stream Vast DesertPrickly Pear 2Prickly PearPlateau at Sunset

Flora & Fauna

CDT2010_treesCDT2010_yellowflowersCDT2010-purpleflowersAngry MarmotFlora 3FloraBeaverButterfly 2FloraButterfly