Subject: 8/9, day 105,
We hiked out of Macks Inn and route problems began even before leaving town. A new development is going in on the road we wanted so out map wasn't accurate. We were headed for Sawtell Mtn, a huge landmark mtn with a flat top. FAA has an antenna on the top enclosed in a gray fiberglass sphere 70' in diameter. We met the FAA people on the road. They stopped and wanted to know what we were doing, so we exchanged info. Near the top of the peak we found a trailhead, took the trail that wasn't on our map but was headed our way. When we got above Hell Roaring Creek drainage we dropped off and followed the drainage down to Lillian Lake. We had lots of decisions to make over a long distance like stay high and contour around tributaries or traverse down and risk running into too much water. The miles were slow going.

Lillian Lake was a small gem and we camped there in a great stand of conifers.

... Gottawalk

Subject: 8/10, day 106,
We hiked from Lillian Lake cross-country towards Blair Lake, stumbled on a trail, took it and connected to real CDT tread. Climbing up we walked on an old closed mining road along the divide. The road looks the same as the surrounding hills completely covered with low growth. Walking was a stickers-in-socks nightmare and for the first time we wished for gaiters.

Our goal for the day was past a trailhead to Aldous Lake. We're beginning to see inadequacies in the guide (CDTA Montana guide). We got to a unmentioned junction and had a choice of 2 FS roads. Ken knew where to go only because of a road number the SOBO hikers mentioned.

Camping at the trailhead was fun because a small creek was right beside an established campsite, so living was easy and dinner was good.

... Gottawalk

Subject: 8/11,day 107
We left the trailhead that we hiked down to and camped at and headed for small but pretty Aldous Lake. When we got there we had trail that didn't match either USFS or BLM maps that we are carrying. Nothing resembled the guidebook, either, and the trail didn't always go the compass direction or elevation we want. After a morning filled with anxiety we got to the divide. I found 2 rocks to sit on for lunch with our seats in MT and our feet in ID. Between the rocks was an official USGS iron pipe with an inscribed cap: Mont-Ida. It was a perfect cup holder. Along with all this luxury was a stupendous view, but our maps aren't large enough to name what we are looking at.

... Gottawalk