Doing it - redux

 I was at a low point pre-Fleecer and I was leaning toward cutting it out, but Alaine talked some sense to me: part of the fun is the challenge-- let's at least give it a go. (And we could make the final decision about the alternate midway.)  So we mentally stuck to the route and I'm glad we did. We are indeed, "Doing It!" as my friend Mark Brennan said many weeks ago when he saw us two "touring types" hauling up Galbraith mountain back home.

The Fleecer Ridge climb, traverse and descent was awaiting us at the end of the day, and after another continental divide crossing (#5). Funny thing about divide crossings, most of them are unmarked and many of them are lower in elevation than many (most?) of the other "hills" on the route. That was the case today. CD5 was at 7,300 feet twenty miles into the day before the route droped all they way back down, only to climb back up to the day's high of 7,800 feet-- close to fifty miles in. The day's total elevation gain (5,303 ft.) would be the most of the trip until our final crossing at the trip's end. 

It was a tough day - especially since the previous day had been so rough both physically and mentally, what with the steep ROUGH terrain and bugs at the start, and the unexpected hills in the hot Butte outskirts afternoon - but when we were atop Fleecer Ridge, with all its greenery splattered with wildflower reds, blues and yellows (not to mention its amazing views to the south toward the Wise River Valley)m they were moments (hours?) worth the effort.  I'm really glad we did it.

Train trestle crossing over the trail

CD 5 - near Highland Lookout in the Butte Wateshed with the Pioneer Mountains in the background.

Coming down from CD 5

Mount Fleecer across the valley

Pump your own - many campgrounds get their water from from the ground. This was a great rest and water-filling stop at the Beaver Dam Campground, where we could have taken the alternate to avoid Fleecer...but we kept on.

Looking back across the valley at CD 5 (the green patch next to the strip mine left of center)

Approaching Fleecer Ridge. The trail is rougher and steeper than the photo can express.

Paul disappearing over the edge

Alaine riding [braking, trying to stay upright!-AB] down the Ridge before it turns into a half-mile, 1,000-foot drop

Almost at the bottom - the camera sure flattens out the slope and disguises the treacherous loose skree -- that Alaine came to know intimately.

Camp at Parker Creek-- not totally unscathed, but relieved to have accomplished the challenge and to have gotten to see the gorgeous meadows and tree stands and vistas that Fleecer offered.

For those that want video:

CD 5 crossing https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X3U5JR0EasQ

Fleecer I https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KWMtB-GVOHE

Fleecer II https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ksb_xvpT6N4

Fleecer III https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TF3cCJG1N5s

Day 11, Butte, MT to Parker Creek

49 miles, 7mph avg. 

6:51 ride time