15.2 miles
Reynolds Creek Campground
Today was one of those crazy hiking days where even when things go wrong everything lines up and you make it out alive but that was mostly the second half of the day, the first half was perfect.
We got out around quarter to eight at the Grinnel Glacier trailhead heading towards our big feat of the day, Piegan Pass. The weather was clear, beautiful and crisp in the morning as we headed around Josephine Lake. Fresh grizzly tracks were on the trail ahead so we made sure (even more than normal) that we were loud and noticed by anything nearby. After walking a couple miles we reached the valley at the base if the pass which was COVERED THICK with snow everywhere. The trail was pretty non existent besides the footprints of a few who came through yesterday or the day before. After fording a glacial blue stream that was numbingly cold Spins and I started to snow-wack where we thought the quick way to the switchbacks were. After meandering around for a bit it was time to break out the GPS, I mean I'm carrying it for a reason, to use it! We were right next to the trail. We jumped on trail and slowly made our way up the snowy traverse when we came across a steep sketchy treeless snow slope with a death drop a few hundreds yards down. Being that neither of us have any real snow experience much less ice axe experience we opted to make up our own route, strait up the side of the steep ridge instead of going across. After a while we came to a treed in area and bushwhacked up until we hit the switchbacks again. It was slow moving, very slow. But it was scenic and beautiful out so I can't complain. At the top of the switchbacks we ended up crossing the steep snow slope we went up earlier only higher (and thankfully flatter) where we crossed and continued on over to a small dry snowless patch of trail which we hadn't seen for miles! The dry trail led up to the base of the where we would go around Cataract Mountain. We switchbacked up and traversed some steep slow fields which we started to become more comfortable doing. As we climbed up the top of the point around the mountain some dark clouds began to form on the mountains behind us. That about ended the perfect part of the day.
We knew we had to get down the ridge as quick as possible before the rain or worse yet lightning came because we were exposed and above treeline. The biggest challenge facing us in getting down quick were five large steep snow fields which required kicking out each step you took. Paired ontop of that it was getting later in the afternoon so the snow was soft and could potentially be less stable. Then it began to drizzle and be really cold. After the first two fields of kicking out over a hundred steps I was completely spent but the rain kept falling now steadily and stopping would put us in hypothermic range. Lucikily kicking out all those steps had me warm as hell. On the third snow field we got to land or what seemed to be land only to now notice that it was steep loose rock bed that was wet and super slippery, the snow was much safer. Spins and I had to slowly scoot down a steep ass loose rock slope onto soft snow and start making steps again. It was pretty sketchy well really sketchy but it worked out. After the last of the fields we were both spent; my legs were rubbery and toes numbed and bruised from kicking out hundreds of steps and Spins' knee was giving her trouble. The steepness ceased and the rain lightened up as we traversed down the ridge which was completely covered in snow. We followed footprints mostly and checked the maps to make sure we were still headed the right way. It was getting really late and the race to finish before sunset and cold temperatures was on. As we descended the rain mostly stopped and the snow cleared up after around four miles down in the lower valley. We crossed Going to the Sun road still pretty soaked as tourists flew by in their cars without even a second glance. It was all good though because the lower elevation provided way warmer temperatures then we expected and the clouds broke and the sun shone for just a brief period. We hustled down to camp getting in around 9pm but luckily it stays light out until around 9:30-45 so we had just barely enough time to set up, eat, hang our food and crash before dark. It was one hell of day the good, the bad, and the miserable and it was awesome. (Side note: all the pictures were before the storm I stashed my phone when it started to pour)
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