Each week I will write about my hiking and camping trips and keep a running total of the miles I hiked, well at least try to. Whether it be just doing some camping along the Clark Fork River with the trailer to a multi-day backpacking trip, I will create some kind of read and some pictures for those interested. I am only doing these weekly reports for my hiking season that usually runs between April and October depending on weather.
2026 GOALS: I start each year with a set of goals for the summer. Similar to 2025 my overall goals are to visit 40 lakes / peaks and hike 400 miles. I only count a lake 1 time even though I may visit it multiple times during the summer as part of other trips; and hiking trail "only" miles are counted. Specific goals include visiting Steep Lakes and Newman Lake; and summits of Crater Mountain and Admiral Peak; along with West Goat in the Pintlers. For backpacking a 5-day loop of Fish Creek, 4 days to the Cache Lakes, 4 days in the Pintlers; and a trip into the 4 Lakes area near Thompson Falls are on tap. Some of these goals overlap with each other. Everything else that I end up doing are just weekly opportunities.
Achilles Tendon Injury Update: Back at the start of winter I injured my achilles. This was the first winter since I strapped on cross country skis at 14 that I have not skied. It is July now and it is still being very stubborn. Over the 4th of July, I was able to hike 17 miles over 4 different hikes, so that was very encouraging. The Achilles responds very well to bike riding so I continue to spend a couple hours on the bike 3 days a week. I am hoping that I have turned the corner and be able to get out for more hiking.
2025 Summary: How it Went This Past Summer
April 20 - April 26: Muchwater CG: St Regis River Trail & Cascade Falls
June 29 - July 5: Clearwater Crossing: 4th of July
July 6 - July 12: Upper Oregon Lake
