CDT Day 128: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness

Daily Miles: 27.5, Total Miles: 2,247.8

A terrific thunder and lightning show directly overhead late last night. I know some of those strikes were very close.

I quickly entered the Antler-Pintler Wilderness and passed scenic Surprise Lake.

In and out of new and old burn areas all day and got great views of the rugged and rocky Pintlers from Pintler Pass.

I dropped down to pretty Johnson Lake and then chugged back up to Rainbow Pass at over 9,000 ft elevation. Views like that, especially as the sun is setting, is my reason to keep going and makes all this effort worthwhile.

Long, long descent to Rainbow Lake, which I have all to myself at a lakeside camp. I am just skirting the edge of the fire closure area for the larger Meyer Fire – might explain the lack of people.

Cool temperatures and light showers today. Only saw one hiker, a NOBO I had met in Darby.