Sunday, September 3rd, 2017
Well I've already hiked around the park but it's still Memorial Day weekend (Sunday). I'm not up for trying to find a campsite on a day that the campgrounds are probably all packed to the gills. I hike up to a spot where I know I'll get a cellphone signal, call the visitor center, and ask the ranger to extend my back-country permit one night. No problem, they say. I probably didn't need to call but why not dot the "i's". I don't want anyone poking around Greta wondering if I got eaten by something.
Since I've already hiked the park, what to do? Go up, young man. Graham Peak dominates the landscape at over 8,000 feet, I think I'll go up and have a look.
It's another scorcher of the day. The sun is relentless in these parts. I sweat my way up the switchbacks to the top of Graham Peak; it has a commanding view of the surrounding valleys. I go down the other side into the Sawtooth National Forest but give up after a mile or so. Just a two-track road through grasslands with lots of cattle around.
On the way down I've got my cellphone out to enjoy one of those rare moments I have a signal. I slip on some gravel and -- putting out my hands to break the fall (one of which has my cellphone in it), I add to the spiderweb that is my cellphone screen. Still working though.
I'm in a routine: dinner at camp, climb up a different hill to watch the sunset. The moon chips in on the scenery tonight.
Stats for hike (Strava data):
Miles hiked: 7.5mi
Elevation gain: 2,221 feet
Moving time: 2:54:25
