The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) holds a lot of draw for Bill and I, but we've only been a small section of it on a quick backpacking trip years ago. Today we went to Stemple Pass, elevation 6349, with the idea that we were going to ski along the CDT to Flesher Pass, elevation 6131. We were looking at roughly 12 miles of skiing, and went into it perhaps a bit too cocky and ill-prepared. Bill topo'd the trail and mapped the elevation changes, and, as always, I mentally downplayed the ups-and-downs existing between the beginning and the end. |
| Matt, Sho, Pelé, and Stewie |
Ultimately , gaining 700 feet to our highest destination, the snow was at times knee and waist deep (especially for some of us little people), and just iced over hard enough to let you fall through after a few moments of exhilarating surface-skimming, only to crash through in the next heartbeat and get your skis buried in the heavy snow below. The dogs, god bless 'em, plowed through, mostly up to their chests.
After about 5 hours of the good fight, we'd only made it 4.5 miles in. Thanks to Bill, ever the voice of reason, for helping us realize we'd never make our original destination before nightfall. Plus, good dogs were getting pretty tired. A bit of disappointment to turn around, but overall it was a great time and a fun ski. And a good reminder to heed the boy and girl scout motto: be prepared (ie: always pack more granola bars than you think you'll need, don't assume snow conditions, and never forget to pack a headlight...or dog treats.)
This place is one of our favorites. It's about 30 miles northwest of Helena, with loops of cross country trails that are generally skiable from December to March. Good place to bring the pooches. (Baxter had to sit this one out, but Stew-dog had a good time with Pele`.)
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