CDT Day 129: 3 Passes & Anaconda Cutoff Trail

Daily Miles: 24.8, Total Miles: 2,272.6

My favorite day so far in ID/MT although one of the toughest with three high passes – Cutaway, Rainbow Mountain and Storm Lake.

I spent almost all day in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness with gorgeous lakes. Warren Lake was the tops, old-growth forests, and steep-faced, near vertical rock mountains.

Took the Anaconda cutoff trail at Goat Flat and Storm Lake Pass. With dramatic views, I dropped down to Storm Lake for another late camp. Much appreciated work by trail crews on the new cairns and trail switchbacks.

I had gotten so used to a smoke-hazed, filtered sky, I was almost surprised to see almost normal sun and blue skies today.

I met a young man today proudly carrying a 100 lb pack for a 5-day trip to a backcountry lake. He had an ice chest and BBQ grill strapped to his pack and a large pistol, ammo and hunting knife strapped around his waist.