The Spotted Bear river valley is very lush, overgrown, and a bit claustrophobic.  The trail followed the Spotted Bear river to an open area where Pentagon creek joins in. This is a beautiful flat area with a patrol cabin in the valley bottom. There was someone camped nearby whom I did not disturb. The trail then ascends Pentagon creek for a couple miles before climbing steeply up the side of the ridge to Switchback Pass.

On the way up I met Happy, a super nice tall and thin 69 year old. After finally reaching the top, the trail descends just as steeply down the other side to Clack Creek. In contrast to the Spotted Bear valley, Clack Creek has many open meadows and great views. The bears must like it too because I noticed quite a bit of bear 💩 on the trail today.

At the intersection of Clack Creek and the Flathead River lies the Gooseberry patrol cabin where I decided to camp.  Nicolai from Germany decided to join me and soon a nice guy named Mr. President also joined us.  Mr President and I talked for quite a bit and he gave me several trail tips. He is very knowledgeable and full of good advice. He gave me a waffle treat that he loves so I can try it.  He is from San Francisco and one of the coolest guys I’ve met.  Very likable.  He worked for Google so he must be pretty bright.

The bugs are out in full force.  Dozens of mosquitoes and flies pester us constantly.  It really makes you want to keep moving to avoid their torture. I set my tent up as quickly as I could and jumped in to escape the insanity. Just opening my screen enough to get in allowed several of the little bastards to fly in. At this point I think of my tent as a sort of Thunderdome and we do battle inside. So far I have always been victorious and it doesn’t take long to dispatch all contenders.

I did 24 miles today!  Not nearly as many miles as the younger people are doing but still pretty good for me.