  | 2022 09 GDT 2. Day We follow the Trail to Ptarmigan Lake and try to find the trail going along the Jackpine river at the turnoff to the lake. But on both sides of the river, there is no trail to be found. That leaves us no choice but to bushwack through the old burn till we hit the GDTrail at the lower end of the valley. It is difficult terrain, as we try to follow the elevation line above the river, running into extended areas with big rocks and lots of treefall, or young Douglas firs, that stand so tight, you cannot pass through them. We ride and lead our horses, who have to climb and jump over fallen trees, while we struggle to keep our own footing. We cover about 1 to 1,5 km an hour and the branches of the trees are scratching our bags and rolls. The horses are doing fine, especially Ahi who is the smallest, and often finds his own way around higher obstacles, that the taller horses cross easier. After about 5 hours we lead the horses down back to the river, because if we want to camp we have to find feed for the horses and Water. We find a meadow in a curve of the jackpine, that is a dried swamp and kind of flat, and right above it is a hill with old treefall, supplying us with wood for the evening meal. |
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