{"id":2708,"date":"2025-08-20T20:30:55","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T20:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/?p=2708"},"modified":"2025-08-26T20:36:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T20:36:27","slug":"8-20-2025-helena-to-benchmark-wilderness-ranch-mile-2676-2804","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/8-20-2025-helena-to-benchmark-wilderness-ranch-mile-2676-2804\/","title":{"rendered":"8\/20\/2025: Helena to Benchmark Wilderness Ranch\u00a0(Mile\u00a02,676 &#8211; 2,804)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"\">Who would\u2019ve thought that one of the toughest sections of the entire CDT would be here up north toward the end of the journey? Clearly, I didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7746.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7746-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7746-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7746-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7746-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7746-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Another beautiful day! Sunrise before reaching MacDonald Pass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This section was tough due to the lack of water, multiple thunderstorms, direct sunlight throughout the burned areas and steep mountains ridge walking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">From McDonald pass to Deerhorn River, approximately&nbsp;72 miles,&nbsp;there was only one source of water near the trail but you have to be at least 6 feet tall to reach down to the well. I\u2019m 5\u20192\u201d. It was not an option for me. I started off carrying 5.5 liters of water- the max amount of water I carried during the entire CDT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Even though this section was hard, I started off from McDonald pass very supported by my dear friend Ava. \u201cCan you believe it? We can just meet like this?,\u201d said Ava as she got off the car.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Ava drove from Missoula to be my trail angel at&nbsp;MacDonald Pass,&nbsp;west of Helena.&nbsp;Ava and I have been friends for over a decade. We both worked for NOLS and our career took a similar path in equity and inclusion field. Our interaction was mostly through professional space and I was excited to see Ava just as a friend this time. I trusted her to be an amazing trail angel. Of course, she was!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Not only she brought things that I requested, but also she paid a detail attention to types of food that&nbsp;I would be excited to eat for lunch. While I was working on my blog post at the library in Helena, she brought&nbsp;huge salad with salmon, and avocado toast on gluten-free bread with arugula, tomato, avocado, and fried egg! We sat outside of the library and enjoyed our food and caught up on our lives. Her presence and warmth in a foreign town was such a blessing and comfort to me. With Ava, I didn\u2019t have to worry about anything. She gets things done. By late afternoon, my resupply day\u2019s needs were all met and Ava drove me back to the trailhead. As we were saying goodbye, She said, \u201cI\u2019ll see you in two weeks!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">That\u2019s right! Two weeks! That\u2019s all I have left to reach Canada. It\u2019s so soon! Then I started walking. I walked as much as I could into the evening until the thunderstorm came. It rained for a while and cleared up with a beautiful sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The next day, the weather was challenging. I experienced three thunderstorms, the most I had in a day! I had to hunker down under a tree and it slowed me down quite a bit. The third storm was short and intense. After that, I saw a rainbow!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">And again, even if the weather was challenging, there were angels who helped me. I met Pat and Leroy who were driving to check on a well on&nbsp;the land that they are leasing to a rancher.&nbsp;They gave me a ride to the well and&nbsp;gave me some more water and gave me a&nbsp;&nbsp;ride back to the CDT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7761.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7761-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7761-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7761-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7761-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7761-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pat and Leroy checking on the solar-powered well which draws water 300 feet down. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The next morning as I climbed up the mountain, I saw a person sitting under the observation tower on top of the mountain called Granite Overlook. When I made it to the top, I asked him if he had any extra water to spare with me.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">It turned out that the tower is a rental place. Dan and Molly with their kids from Missoula were staying there. Dan gave me a gallon of water!&nbsp;They also gave me&nbsp;snacks and fresh fruits- peaches and apples! They&nbsp;even gave me their number to reach out when I come to Missoula.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">After eating fresh fruit and drank\u00a0enough water, I felt energized and easy to go up and down the mountains. I kept moving and around 7 o\u2019clock, there was a thunderstorm again.\u00a0After it passed, the evening golden light was beautiful with a rainbow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7766.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7766-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7766-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7766-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7766-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7766-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7766-scaled.jpeg?resize=1170%2C878&amp;ssl=1 1170w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7766-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7775.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7775-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7775-scaled.jpeg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7775-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7791-1.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7791-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7791-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7791-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7791-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7791-1-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I was so happy to make it to Roger Pass! Just south of the pass there was a creek, the first running water source since MaxDonald Pass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">When I saw the running water, I was so relieved. From there, it became a little easier. Once I made it to Deerhorn River the next evening, I didn\u2019t have to worry about the water anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7802.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2699\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7802-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7802-scaled.jpeg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7802-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7803.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7803-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7803-scaled.jpeg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7803-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Water is life. Water dictates&nbsp;my trail life. Where it is, how far the next source is, the quality of water, etc., are always on my mind. I plan my day around water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">When there\u2019s such a lack of water, I know it\u2019s an opportunity to recognize that we are all bounded to the water. I\u2019m a water being, meaning this planet. I\u2019m the Earth. Every living creature on this planet is a reflection of the Earth. Sylvia Earl said why did we name our planet Earth? It\u2019s more appropriate if we named it Water.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">I made it to Benchmark Wilderness Ranch for resupply the next day.&nbsp;My box was there but no one was there. About half a hour later, Steve and Julie,&nbsp;the caretakers of the ranch came. They gave me an apple and&nbsp;gave&nbsp;me a ride back to the trailhead. Again, amazing trail angels saved my feet from walking on the dirt road!&nbsp;I entered the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the area that I\u2019ve heard so beautiful. As I was losing daylight, I walked across the river full of water, feeling comforted and relieved that I don\u2019t have to worry about water anymore. As I settled with tinted delight, I took a sip of water- what makes this planet full of life feeling deep connection and appreciation to our mother earth, the mother water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7811.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2697\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7811-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7811-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7811-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7811-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7811-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7811-scaled.jpeg?resize=1170%2C878&amp;ssl=1 1170w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7811-scaled.jpeg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who would\u2019ve thought that one of the toughest sections of the entire CDT would be here up north toward the end of the journey? Clearly, I didn\u2019t.\u00a0 This section was tough due to the lack of water, multiple thunderstorms, direct sunlight throughout the burned areas and steep mountains ridge walking.&nbsp; From McDonald pass to Deerhorn [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cdt"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>8\/20\/2025: Helena to Benchmark Wilderness Ranch\u00a0(Mile\u00a02,676 - 2,804) - triple crown of full circle<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/8-20-2025-helena-to-benchmark-wilderness-ranch-mile-2676-2804\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"8\/20\/2025: Helena to Benchmark Wilderness Ranch\u00a0(Mile\u00a02,676 - 2,804) - triple crown of full circle\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Who would\u2019ve thought that one of the toughest sections of the entire CDT would be here up north toward the end of the journey? 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