The weather forecast is for rain, so Pat has decided to spend the next 4 days visiting with his family. I don’t want to lose any more time so I started south from MacDonald pass today by myself.  Pat and I had lunch before he dropped me off at MacDonald pass at around 12:30. It was sad to say goodbye because this is probably the last I will see him for the remainder of my trip. But I am excited to get to it.

The trail was fine, although there were a lot of blow downs. I saw a dead moose or elk.  Just it’s skull and vertebrae and hair were left.

There was quite a bit of rain and hail showers this afternoon.  It’s also very cold. I met Squirrel and his female partner whom I forgot her name.  They informed me there is another SOBO guy two days in front of me named Freebird who also started at Rogers pass. It’s good to know I’m not the only one out here going SOBO.

The trail eventually turned into a dirt road that wound up the side of O’Keefe Mountain.  I was tired and it was getting late but there were no flat spots to camp.  At the top it seemed like there were “No trespassing” signs in every potential spot. There is a mine nearby and apparently they really don’t want anyone hanging around here.  I finally found a place near a logged area after hiking 16.5 miles, but it’s at the top of the mountain and very cold.  In fact I need to wrap this up cause my fingers are going numb and I’m shivering. Night.