Post #37: Lower Woodhawk BLM Saturday, June 7

ESpeed: 6-7 mph

Miles: 68

Time: 6:00 am to 8:30 pm

Campsite location:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/47%C2%B044'27.6%22N+108%C2%B056'55.6%22W/@47.74099,-108.94879,13478m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en 

On my way to Hole in the Wall campsite, I stopped at Eagle Creek campground in order to hike Neat Coulee. As I started my hike, a family packed their canoe and headed out.

The family suggested that I take a right at the fork in the trail. I did. Soon afterwards, I found a chockstone which I crawled under and pass by it The coulee kept getting narrower like the slot canyons in the Southwest.The trail meandered upwards and once the incline became too steep I turned back. My legs really enjoyed the walk.
 It was a lovely hike and a much needed leg stretcher.

The hike reminded me of the slot canyons in the SW.

I took out at Judith Landing for a rest and lunch. It was 26 miles from Hole in the Wall to Judith Landing.

Jim and Martha invited me to have lunch with them. I had met them at Coal Banks the day before. They are BLM volunteers and move from site to site starting at Fort Benton and ending at Judith Landing.  They had an unpublished pamphlet with photos and detailed descriptions of all possible campsites on the Upper Missouri. It was a treasure of information. Martha offered me three truffles after lunch. They were all a delight. Jim and Martha were very informative and encouraging.

I was turning the kayak so I could view the big horn sheep better and floated backwards for a few minutes. 

I had no idea what to expect for scenery beyond Judith Landing. It was beautiful. The lighting enhanced every color and the texture. At times I would just drift and enjoy the sights. It was one of my favorite sections of the paddle.  I tried to capture the beautiful, the quietness, and the bighorn sheep on the cliff via video. 

Absolutely stunning landscape below Judith Landing.

The take out location was Lower Woodhawk at 8:30pm.  It was 45 miles from Judith Landing and Judith is 26 miles from my morning put in at Hole in the Wall.  That made for a 71 mile day and a easy 18 miles to James Kipp the next day. It was a horrible camping location. The kayak was tied up on the muddy shore and the tent was setup under the cottonwoods with too much distance between the two. I was too tired to care.

My coordinates: http://fms.ws/HGfGW/47.74099N/108.94879W near Woodland Creek.
I didn't reach the site until almost 8:30 pm. Long day.