Day 96 (PNT 1)

Day 96 (Pacific Northwest Trail 1): 13 miles

After only getting 3 hours of sleep the trail got off to a rocky start. My train was delayed over 2 hours due to “traffic.” When I got into East Glacier, I met a thru hiker about to start the CDT. We got a ride to the ranger station to get permits and right as we showed up they left for lunch. After killing an hour waiting around there, I got my permit. It was for 13 miles today and 13 miles tomorrow. I was starting late and pretty tired so 13 was a little more than I was hoping to do today but it was the only opening. I was still happy I could start immediately. But only being able to do 13 miles on my second day was far from what I wanted. It was either that or a 37 mile day which I didn’t really feel like committing to.

It was really fun stepping back on trail at the Chief Mountain Trailhead where I started the CDT southbound last year. A lot of memories and feelings came flowing back: the excitement of starting the 4th leg of my CYTC, the eerie feeling I had for my first time in grizzly country, and the sheer awe at the beauty of Glacier National Park.

It’s good to be back in Glacier. I came across a good number of backpackers and I swear the awareness for the Bigfoot Trail was better than for the Pacific Northwest Trail. When they asked me how long I was out for and I’d say the Pacific Northwest Trail, they had no idea what I was talking about. But once I explained it, I think it broke their brains and that was always fun to see. I never get tired of that.

It was a good first day back and just uneventfully beautiful.

Song of the day: fall in love-phantogram