Day 9 – GDT – You’re in Canada Dear

“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” ~Frank A. Clark

July 14

Above Cataract Creek to Aldridge Creek – 16.2 miles

I woke up to fog and mist. The extra rain gear I packed worked perfectly to stay warm and dry while walking through brush and wet air.

A few miles down to Cataract Creek the SOBO sisters and mom were camped and having breakfast. Judy and her daughters, Gina and Heather are doing a 10 day section of the GDT and have hiked other large sections of the GDT. It was great to meet them and they even shared some hot water to make coffee. It was simply perfect.

As the weather cleared up so did the temperature heat up.

A trail register gave us the information that at least 8 GDT hikers are ahead of us by a few days. We met a son and a father at the register and hiked a bit with them to the top of Fording River Pass. The dad was telling me that his wife had a concussion from slipping on ice and couldn’t make the trip. I quickly asked how was there ice? He said, “You’re in Canada dear.” Funny how misunderstandings happen quickly. His wife had fallen in February not this week.

Orange blazes have ended and so has the maintained single track trail.

Right now I am sitting in my tent on a perched campsite with late sun and a way too friendly bunny trying to mess with my stuff.

Walking in the early morning mist cairn to cairn

SOBO Sisters and Mom
Walking in clear cuts
Orange blazes
Walking through clear cuts
Trail register
First waterfall of the trip

Lake at the top of the pass
Views from tho top of Fording River Pass

Dinner spot

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7 Comments

  1. Looks like your clear cut trail goes right on up into the clear cut sky!

  2. How cool to meet other women hikers on the trail. I’m sure enjoying your adventure. 🙂

  3. That Fording River Pass is a beaut.! What a charming threesome you encountered. They exude cheer and kindness.
    What kinds of temperatures are you experiencing at night?

  4. sharon a bryant

    First a question which you possibly covered in the posts from day 6 and 7 which for some reason I could not access. What do the orange patches signify? As for the comments…the landscape that you are seeing is truly magnificent. Some remind me of the pics of your hike thru Scotland. When I was going for my fine arts degree, I had a teacher of watercolours who was a renowned and juried artist who on the first day gave us this assignment. Research and report back on how many different actual shades of green there were. Most of us could come up with about 20 – 30 actual shades. At our next class after each of us gave our results, he said “Green is the only color which has more shades than you can count. It is infinite. Look around you and observe. God has given this special palette to all nature.” I have observed and appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Souza. But, Christy, I have never seen such a variance of green in the most vivid hues in the beauty that you have posted. I appreciate your photos so much because of the beauty that I get to see thru your eyes. Thank you and stay safe. S

  5. Marilyn Crabtree

    You have some beautiful photos. The waterfall is so pretty with the logs and rocks in view. Just wondering how often do you see the orange marks to know you are on the right trail? I’m sure it’s nice to see fellow hikers on the trail even though it might not be often.

  6. Your pictures are just beautiful, so different from PCT. Very glad to see you are not alone on the trail, new faces are always fun to come upon. Stay safe. M

  7. Love your adventure ! Just think what it was like for the mountain men and pioneers
    plowing through the wilderness without
    trails and navigational tools

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