Traversing the Lewis Range a enjoyable problem

Hiking accomplice Stimson Dolesh and I woke early to drive to Summit Trailhead, the place the Continental Divide Trail crosses Highway 2 simply earlier than Marias Pass in Glacier National Park. Our plan was to hike your entire Lewis Range traverse, from Little Dog  to Calf Robe mountain.

We had a slight delay ready for a freight prepare, because the path begins by crossing the tracks. The path is a bit arduous to seek out because it’s unmarked. Just a few days prior, I had obtained a tip from a couple of CDT hikers: search for an unmarked, crimson rectangular railroad signal. The path is situated proper throughout from the blaze.

For a couple of toes we each had our doubts about how maintained the path was, particularly for it being the CDT. However, after passing by a small aspen grove, the path opens up into an open Doug fir stand with minimal undergrowth.

Traditionally, the route up Little Dog mountain traverses goat trails that line the scree fields at its base, then about midway up the route switches to observe the southern ridge to the summit. However, upon following Bear Creek to the alpine meadows beneath Little Dog, we determined to change up the route. Instead, we skirted up a couple of reasonable cliff bands to succeed in a saddle. We then adopted the western ridge, which provided plentiful whitebark pine and exquisite views of the Ole Creek drainage. 

After a quick cease on the summit to scrawl our names within the climbers’ registry, we continued on down the bottom of Little Dog, reaching the saddle between Little Dog and Summit. Looking again up at Little Dog, it seems as a worthy problem to scale, with cliff bands and chutes lining its total north-eastern face. 

Summit Mountain is a sight to behold. From the remaining cease at Marias Pass, it’s the most distinguished function of the Lewis Range, standing at 8,775 toes. Up shut; nonetheless, the prettiest function isn’t the mountain: it’s the deep yellow, inexperienced, and orange hues of the lichen that grows upon the traditional glacial rock. Mountain goats would agree, as you’ll typically spot them licking lichen off glacier’s rockfields with their sandpaper tongues, looking for the few salt sources provided at 8,000-plus toes. 

We summited Summit round midday, a bit later than we have been anticipating, so we determined to descend the bottom of the mountain to the valley ground. This would show to be a smart move, as traversing alpine meadows is far sooner than the scree lined ridge that snakes its approach towards Calf Robe mountain. 

Two crystal blue alpine lakes sit beneath Skeleton Mountain, arguably probably the most anticlimactic geographical function in Glacier Park. Running by the meadows and boulder fields was actually a deal with (moreover a lightweight fall that might value me my telephone display screen) and we swiftly arrived on the base of Calf Robe. 

While Calf Robe requires the least quantity of mountaineering expertise, it actually comes with its challenges. Howling wind whips over Firebrand Pass, sweeping low up and over Calf Robe’s summit, deposited out to the plains. This makes it not possible to listen to something your accomplice is saying with out being three toes away from one another. Towards the highest of the scramble, Dolesh and I abruptly encountered swarms of Red Belted Bumble Bees nesting within the rocks, which required us to adapt our climbing route at instances. 

At the tip of the day, we have been beat. Deciding to go straight down the japanese face of Calf Robe actually saved us some miles, but in addition put us in knee deep beargrass and thimbleberry earlier than we’d as soon as extra attain path.

Jogging the final two miles with soiled faces, untied laces, and large smiles, we lastly reached Highway 2 after 14 miles with 7,000 toes elevation achieve. Now we confronted our last impediment; flagging down a experience again to Summit.       

After a 20 minute or so wait, a white ram campervan slowed to a cease and we have been launched to Fidget, a lady who seemed to be in her mid 40s. She informed us she was serving to shuttle items for some associates who’re mountain climbing the CDT by Montana. She had beforehand accomplished the Pacific Crest Trail and the CDT, she stated. 

At final, we arrived on the “seed potato quarantine area” signal, which might mark the ultimate milestone of our journey. The solar started to set over the Lewis Range, which might now be crossed off the bucket record.

Editor’s word: Off path journey comes with its dangers. Please don’t hike alone and as at all times, depart no hint.