GDT Day 2 - Moose creek CG to Mormon Gulch CG

GTheme for today is .... cross training, as in hike yer bike to cross a pass

Days riding  2
Days pulling BOB 2
Divide crossings today 0

Start Elv approx 4800'
High point 7250'
Lo point  approx 5700'
End Elv 5760'
Climbing approx 2800'
Days pulling trailer

Miles 37+
Total time 7:15 hrs
Ride time 5:19
Push time - Eternal!

The roads today were all eminently rideable with the BOB, except for a 2.7 mile stretch of ATV trail, described succinctly as rough 4wd track, steep and rough. Not clear if I could have done it sans the BOB, and it did not look wide enough for a truck. So a wee bit of cross training for me, having to dismount 8 to 10 times to push the bike n BOB up the roots, rocks, and ravines. Made the downhill to Basin all the sweeter!

That down hill followed the lovely Cataract creek, and led to the unique section of route labeled "Non Maintained Cattle Trail", which you just don't see on your every day rides.

Not much wild.life to day, just a couple healthy looking marmots.
The terrain continues to be modest mountains and routes linking drainages coming off of the divide. Lots of dead lodgepoles(?) and associated logging, including in the last two campgrounds.  This does open things up for more vistas, but I wonder what it looked like before the dying and logging.

Lots of flowers blooming,  including a few specimens of beargrass, which only blooms once every several years, if I recall correctly.

Lots of forest country here, though not alot of people out enjoying on a fine Sunday. Did meet a pair of British bikers heading down from banff. Saw another taking a midmorning nap along a shady gurgling stream. Other than 3 small parties of ATVers and a handful of truck's , not many people.

It is becoming apparent that folks like to express their political opinions publicly here, in their own Montana way. I think I will try capturing some of those along the way.

Today felt good, not too wasted at the end. However, it is the 1st of 9 days of consecutive riding.

Glenda had her first day of solo sagging, and got the camper parked and setup, thank you Glenda

GDT Day 3 - Mormon Gulch CG to Butte

Monday, july 19

Start elv 5760'
High pt 6600'
Lo pt 5460'
End elv. 5460'
Climbing approx 1500'

Miles - 31.1
Total time 5:15
Riding time 3:18
Days riding - 3
Days with BOB - 3
Divide crossing #4

Today was a pretty mellow day, with gentle grades and not alot of elevation.
I appreciated that as it was my first back to back riding day.
It was about half paved, though the unpaved areas were quite pastoral, though I did come across some tailing from dredge mining (I think).
The 4th divide crossing was also a CDT Trail crossing too, but other than that it was rather non descript flat spot in the forest.

This morning we were serenaded by many song birds in our very own private campground. Tonight we will be lulled to sleep by the passing drone of semi's on I90. Already looking forward to the next 5 nights in the backcountry.

I think we heard the honking of a trumpeter swan this morning as well (we'll verify at red rock wildlife refuge in a week)

Butte is an interesting place, once you get past the initial direct impact of mining on the town and area. The old part of town has many charming, impressive, and well preserved buildings from its hey day early last century. One can tell it was very successful at that time from the architecture of the home and business establishments. And of course the Cornish miners local dish, the pasty, which I had to try as well.