CDT JOY: Starting a New Adventure

Day 1: 11.3 miles

Highlights: Canada Border. Dawn Mist Falls. Elizabeth Lake.

I slept surprisingly well last night and woke up more excited than a kid on Christmas morning. Today is the day I start my thru hike! I spent the morning relaxing on social media and grabbing breakfast at the two medicine grill down the street from the whistling swan motel. I bought paracord to hang my ursack food bag in the park and packed my bag for the final time.

Around 10am I made a trip to the looking glass hostel to drop off a resupply package for myself and to see if anyone needed a ride to the border. From there it took about one hour to get to the trailhead at chief mountain. I parked and walked to the customs entrance and over to the obelisk marking the Canada and United States border.

Starting my Hike at Chief Mountain Border Crossing

After a few photos… I made my first steps as a southbound CDT hiker hoping to walk a continuous footpath across the entire county and ending at the Mexican border in just a few months. The views were stunning today with snow capped mountains, fields of wildflowers, stunning streams and waterfalls, and cruisy terrain. Because of the shorter mileage in Glacier with permits, I took several breaks for photos and to soak it all in.

On the hike today I spoke to a friendly ranger that asked for my permit. I also got a few minutes of rain and got to test out my new rain jacket, Montbell Versalite, and really enjoyed the jacket in the windy rain. Towards the end of the hiking day I dropped my trekking pole while crossing a stream and jumped in the water to save it causing me to end the day with wet socks and shoes.

Elizabeth Lake in Glacier National Park

I made it to camp at Elizabeth lake (ELH) around 5pm and made my way to the food prep and bear hang area. I ate dinner, mountain house chicken and dumplings, then brushed my teeth and hung my food. It took me a couple tries to get the rope over the bear wire that is set up in the campground and I felt like I was out of practice for the mindset of evening camp chores in Bear county. After dinner, I set up my tent, Z-Packs Duplex Light, inflated my sleeping pad, charged up electronics, and enjoyed some tent time writing and listening to music. I headed off to bed around 7:30pm, sun still shining, hoping to get an earlier start the next morning to make it over the upcoming pass before too much slushy snow.

Day 2: 13.2 miles

Highlights: Red Gap Pass. Poia Lake.

Last night I had trouble falling asleep with the birds chirping and sun still up past 9:30pm. I listened to an audiobook in bed before falling asleep. I woke up before 6 am and thought it was too early to get up, so I laid back down to rest. Then, the rain started and since it was a short day I just lay in my tent.

By 6:40am I was getting antsy and put on my hiking clothes and rain jacket and started my hiking day. The views heading back to trail from the Elizabeth lake campground were beautiful even in the rain. From the trial junction I climbed up over the lake through many switchbacks to red gap pass. The hike reminded me of some sections of the JMT being above tree line with alpine lakes and long mountain passes. The pass was very windy, but there was no snow at the top of the pass which was a concern of mine for this hike.

View from Red Gap Pass

After the pass, I headed back down into tree line and ate lunch overlooking the mountains. It was a bit chilly in the low 60s and cloudy so I put on another layer and gloves to continue hiking. I had my first fall today slipping on some wet grass and hitting my left knee on a rock. It skinned my knee and had one small cut that I was able to use my first aid kit to treat and band-aid. It was not sore as I kept hiking, but it was a reminder that you need to pay attention out here.

I got to camp around 2pm at Poia lake campground (POI), hung my food and scented items, then set up my tent. The tent was still wet from being packed up in the rain, so I used my light load towel to wipe it dry and set up my air mattress. It still rained on and off all afternoon, so I split my time chatting with other hikers and escaping the rain and mosquitoes by being inside my tent. I ate Mac and cheese for dinner (2 microwaveable cups put in a vacuum sealed bag), brushed my teeth, and got ready for bed.

Day 3: 7.5 miles

Highlights: Many Glacier Hotel

Today is a shorter hiking day with the way my hiking permit worked out. I enjoyed extra time sleeping in and relaxing in my tent and spent time in the communal food area eating breakfast and making hot matcha tea, luxuries I rarely partake in while thru hiking. Around 8am I headed off for the hike from Poia lake. 

The sun was shining this morning, although still windy like yesterday, and I started the day hiking slow and relaxed. The trail passed Swiftcurrent Ridge Lake and across Many Glacier road before a short road walk to the Many Glacier hotel.  At the hotel I got directions to the temporary backpackers campsite located behind the hotel parking lot. The set up had picnic tables, a pit toilet, and a bear box.. everything I hiker needs. After setting up my tent around noon I walked over to the hotel which had everything a hiker wants, outlets to charge electronics, WiFi, bathrooms with running water, chairs with back rests to relax in, and hot burgers and beer. I spent almost 8 hours eating, sitting, and hanging out in the hotel lobby. This was truly a luxury. For dinner I got some unexpected magic in the form of a bartender that accidentally poured a second glass of wine and my server gifted it to me. It was a wonderful treat in addition to the beef sliders and pasta I enjoyed while at the hotel. In the evening I made my way back to the backpackers campsite and headed to bed.

Walking Towards Many Glacier Hotel

Favorite Things this Section

Favorite food: Blueberry overnight oats shake by Oats Overnight.

Favorite gear: my LiteAF Fanny pack. It is such a fun pattern, and I love that all my essential ditty items are close by when I need them.

Favorite phone app: Merlin Bird ID. Being in a new part of the county there are so many new bird calls to learn. This app will record the bird song and tell you which birds are in the area making their calls.

Favorite media entertainment: Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune audiobook.