Continental Divide Trail/Mile Creek
July 28, 2007
This was another nearby trail, with only 13½ driving miles. We had to wait for some cattle to move before we could drive across the ford immediately before the trailhead. After the others had run on ahead I noticed a sign: “Animal carcass ahead”. This just reinforced what we already knew: groups should stick close together.
The first 1½ miles was through a sagebrush prairie, already hot though it was still early morning. Upon entering the Mile Creek canyon we entered an aspen forest, where we encountered the corresponding “Animal carcass” sign in the other direction. After that it was alternate fir/pine forest and open wildflower meadows. Eventually we started up a long series of hairpins, climbing up towards the divide. We stopped for lunch on a knoll from which we could look down the canyon towards the Madison River valley. After lunch we headed back down. A typical early afternoon thundershower cooled our descent. We hiked a total of about 10½ miles. Aside from some campers at the trailhead, no others were seen on this trip.
Two weeks later another group took the same trail, but hiked several miles further, attaining the summit of false Targhee Peak.
Hikers were: Marianne Camp, Jan Jacobsen, Chris Minirich and Wayne Deeter.
Back across the sagebrush towards the trailhead
The Mile Creek canyon
Lunch spot
Looking back towards the Madison River Valley, with an afternoon thunderstorm
brewing
Jan notices the sign
report and photos by Wayne Deeter