Friday July 18, 0mi/0km

Gateway Campground (581.2/2105 ft) to Gateway Campground (581.2/2105ft) (ID)

I had a productive morning at the motel, getting another shower, unwrapping all my new gear, and fitting 7 days of food inside a bear canister. When I went to do laundry the laundry room was empty, like there were no machines to use. I asked at the front desk and the lady was super nice and said she would just do it for me in her commercial washers. While that was running, I packed up my new backpack, each one packs slightly differently and it’s a learning process.

I finally left the motel at 11am, went next door to the post office to mail my old backpack back to the manufacturer, and then took the bus across town back to the REI. Most backpacks that I’ve recently had are made of a waterproof material, but not this one. So I had to buy a pack cover in case it rains. I grabbed a quick last meal at Wendy’s, and then got an Uber to Lolo, a small village at the edge of town. I had planned on hitching from there down Highway 12, but the Uber driver said he was bored and I was very entertaining, and he drove me another 30 miles to Lochsa Lodge.

That seemed pretty lucky and now I had some extra time so I ordered an early dinner.

A huge bowl of elk chili and a large Bavarian pretzel really hit the spot, then I wandered over to the general store to give my phone one last charge, there was an outlet next to the pay phone.

Yes, there was a working pay phone. Also some funny stickers on it, which I feel will be applicable to my life real soon.

Then at 6pm I walked down the driveway to the entrance to hitch to the Wilderness Gateway campground, where the trail resumes.

I stood there for 2 hours, even wore bright colored clothing to look friendly and had a sign. But there were so few cars going by, maybe one every 5 minutes, and most of them seemed to be going the other direction. Finally a little after 8pm I called it quits and walked back to the lodge where they allow hikers/bikers to camp on the lawn. I’ll try again early tomorrow morning!