Day 2

15.0 miles 3870’ gain 2870 descent

I had my best night of sleep since I left Maryland. Lightning and rain on the window created some anxiety in my early morning thoughts. We loaded the truck in the rain and drove back to Waterton. No beautiful sunrise this time but, the clouds over the mountains were a bit clear.

At the trail head the rain stopped and we said our goodbyes with hugs all around. We started the steep ascent out of Waterton thinking this was what to expect. We slowly lost the view of Waterton Lake and the hotel as we walked along newly weed trimmed trail. We followed a mamma deer and her two fawn up the trail for a good way.

It was a steady climb up to the two Carthew Lakes where we snacked and contemplated the steep climb over the next mile to Carthew Summit. Steep loose trail had us stopping frequently to catch our breath. Grand views revealed themselves at the 7621’ summit. The wind blew continuously and chilled us all into another layer. I decided this was one of my new top ten places. Only the second day and the views didn’t disappoint.

Cold wind as we descended had me putting my hands in my pockets to keep warm. Loose switchbacks eventually had us lower and warmer elevation. We bottomed out at Cameron Lake which was busy with boaters and day hikers. We scored a cold soda and some chairs as we people watched.

It was a short road walk to the Akamina Trailhead where we again climbed another 700’. The area was in a large burn recovering with low level vegetation. We pitched our tents and ate our dinners by the bear boxes. A distant storm provided some thunder, lightning and a little rain.

It was a good first full day with some challenging climbs and first class scenery. Dry feet all day was an extra bonus.

Day 3

18.6 miles, 5100’ gain and 4300’ descent

Akamina to Twin Lakes

The stars were brilliant at 4am promising a clear morning. I was packed and left camp by 6:15am. I let Yard Sale know I was going ahead. Calm air only produced the sounds of my footsteps in the twilight. A few birds were awake providing a gentle chorus.

At the road I picked up water for the reported 12 mile dry stretch later to be false. The road revealed the massive burn of the valley some seven years ago. A mountain sheep meandered across the road giving me cautious looks. In about two miles I turned onto the Rowe/Tamarack Trail preparing for the several thousand feet of climb. Blue sky accentuated the dark green evergreens as I walked quietly on the moist forest floor. There were several water sources in the first two miles not identified on Far Out. After some solid climbing the trail traversed a flat valley below an impressive cirque I would eventually climb out of. Interest in our journey a couple from Calgary out for the weekend chatted with me as I rested.  A long gradual switchback gave access to the Lineham Summit with 360 views including the terrain covered yesterday and Lineham Lakes below.

I took a long break to rest, eat, dry the condensation from my bag, and wait for Yard Sale and Map. Storm clouds were forming so I left after 45 minutes hoping I would catch them at Lone Lake.

A long, loose, and steep descent had my glutes burning. Bottoming out in a burn, the trail climbed up steeply and worked towards the pass before Lone Lake. My legs were spent from the morning climb requiring lots of rests. This GDT was advertised as steep and it hasn’t disappointed.

Rain started as I descended to Lone Lake where I filtered some water and drank a protein shake. Rain gear on I made my way through the now wet vegetation soaking my shoes. Oh well, they were dry most of the day! I moved slowly over the last pass before Twin Lakes taking frequent breaks and a snack break. It was a hard day.

I met a couple at Twin Lakes who gave me the beta on the set up. The woman worked with Parks Canada out of Waterton. She was surprised I covered 18 miles over this steep terrain. I was more tired than surprised!

Yard Sale and Map rolled in about 6:45pm. They saw three grizzlies above the trail and three mountain sheep. They saw the grizzlies where there were two piles of scat in the trail. I was making lots of noise but, didn’t see them. It was a sow and two second year cubs. Impressive animals. Hope I get to see one at a distance!

Day 4

Twin Lake to Scarp Pass

10 miles and 2660’ gain

The overcast sky had me waking to warmer temperatures. With the short day ahead we took our time leaving and on the trail. We stopped frequently and told lots of stories. Another magnificent view awaited us at the first climb. Still overwhelmed. several Chinese Wall type features lined the trail as we climbed two unnamed passes.

We arrived at Scarp Pass early, set up, and ate lunch. Hope and Martin arrived and joined us. We saw Hope on the GDT Facebook post and she remembered us. This is her first long hike so she was happy to hike with Martin from Slovakia.

We plan to do the Burnaby ridge in the morning so it will be an early start.

Day 5

Scarp Pass to Burnaby Lake

15.5 miles 8000’ ascent

The alarm went off at 4:15am and we left camp by 6:00 am at first light. The first climb was brutally steep for 600’ . There were multiple false summits to La Coulotte. Hope and Martin caught us at a saddle prior to La Coulotte and somehow I started hiking with them as the trail was hard to find.

At La Coulotte Hope, Martin and I chose the Burnaby Ridge Alternate while Yard Sale and Map stayed on the red line or the standard route. which would later prove to be a good decision.

The route started with a gnarly drop off that had a chain anchored to the rock. Martin had rock climbing experience which was invaluable so he led the way. Hope and I managed the chain assisted descent with some apprehension, not knowing there would be more sketchy sections to manage.

We ascended two more peaks after La Coulotte each feeling similar in steepness to the last 1500’ of 14ners in Colorado. We celebrated being together, had a snack, and looked at the next ridge line to tackle. We descended and ascended the next peak when the ridge got sketchy. Again, Martin scouted and led. Hope was a little sketched out descending the loose scree between the steep ledges. I coached Hope drawing on my limited rock experience but, I mostly encouraged her  confidence. Next was an even sketchier spot. The severity of this section made me check Far Out. I told Martin and Hope we were on the wrong ridge. After several appropriate expletives given the severe penalty of this mistake, I turned around and Hope was already climbing up. Admittedly, she was ready to get out of there.

With a big chunk out of or egos, we retraced our steps back to the peak. The correct ridge line was much easier looking and we just assumed the wrong and more difficult ridge was correct. Martin felt bad as our informal leader but, I told him we all had the ability to check our Far Out app., so we were all equally responsible for the mistake. However, the endeavor was jokingly named the “Martin Alternate”!

There were two warning triangles on the  Far Out app. The first was another chain descent around an 8 meter cliff that was not bad give everything else we had already done. The second was a narrow ridge line that we chose supposedly easier alternate around. Marked with orange paint, we ascended below the ridge line. A faint orange painter arrow on the rock indicated the climb up to the ridge. With Martin scouting and leading, Hope and I slowly ascended the steep scramble some 300’ back to the ridge. While we didn’t do the narrow ridge, I’m not sure the work around was much easier. At the crest, Hope followed me and was supportive across a gnarly rocky ridge. It was comforting to know she had my back.

After several more steep ups and downs it was 3pm and we had only made 10 miles, we took the second well deserved sit down break of the day. With five more miles to go and three more ridge peaks, I knew I was going to have to dig deep and be patient with what my body had left.

The wind on the exposed ridges had increased from 30-40mph to 60-70mph making the ascents even harder and wearing on me emotionally. The last climb was extremely long and steep up red, loose shale. I could see the Castle Mountain Sky Resort below where Yard Sale and Map were planned to camp. I could envision them down there in calm breezes and warmer temperatures looking up at us, maybe having a beer at the bar. Envious of their plight, all I could focus on was getting to camp.

The last long descent to Burnaby Lake where we would camp was brutal on our tired feet and legs. Martin was kind to drop his pack and backtrack to help me navigate the last sketchy down climb. He is a solid young man! At camp, it was hugs all around! Hope was enamored by how we just met a day ago and how today we supported each other in tough spots both physically and emotionally.

In the end, we went about 15 plus miles and climbed about 8000’.  We reached camp at 7:10pm, about 13 hours after our start that seemed like a day ago. A quick dinner with my new friends was followed by the best feeling of laying down for the night. I was tired, satisfied but, will think twice about future alternates!

Day 6

Burnaby Lake to Just before Coleman

28 miles 4700’ gain 4800’ descent

I was the first to leave the Burnaby Lake and there was more slippery downhill reminding me of my sore legs. A lovely river preceded a paved road walk as the morning emerged and the birds woke up.

The first climb through the trees was steep but, not rocky or wind blown like yesterday. On tired legs I let out my whoo-oop bear alert and I heard a similar familiar response above me from Yard Sale and Map. Soon I was rejoined by my friends to share our stories from yesterday. They stayed at a hostel and got showers but, no beer! It was great to be reunited.

Soon we were joined by Martin and later by Hope at Lynx Creek where we had lunch by the river on a picnic table! I helped Hope treat some blisters and we were on our way. We chose a mostly gravel road route on the way to Havens Bridge 25 miles away. We met a fisherman, a tourist from Edmonton, and a GDT hiker.

Havens Bridge had no camp spots so we forged on looking for stealth spots along the road. Striking out, we went about another 4 miles and camped with Martin near the river. It was a long day but, we only had about 4 miles into Coleman the next day.

Day 7

4 miles to Coleman

It was raining when we woke up and started our walk to Coleman with umbrellas up. Hope caught us for breakfast at Chris’ restaurant where we devoured eggs, ham, cheese, sausage, French toast, fruit, coffee and OJ.

We caught up on our phones at Kindred Coffee while we waited to meet Trail Boss and Kelly who brought us our food boxes. Trail Boss, Map, and Kelly did our laundry and mailed our boxes while we did chores back at the room.  After a great shower, we ate dinner at the Rum Runner before Trail Boss, and Kelly returned home. I am so grateful to be a part of a great group of friends!

We are all tired.

At a certain point, hiking 15+ miles a day every day for five months wears on you. On top of the physical aspects that are causing more persistent foot pain and weariness, there have been growing mental and emotional battles.

Less than a week after Cheese left, Fail announced he was going to leave the trail too. Cheese I was already missing, but I had weeks to prepare mentally for his departure, and we left knowing we would be able to stay friends after the trail. Fail’s departure was less of a slow preparation to leave the trail in favor of something else (law school, for Cheese), and more of a snapping of a over-tightened elastic band. Fail has been struggling with pain and rotating injuries for months, and he has said repeatedly that he is really only still on the trail because he likes hanging out with us. Otherwise, he doesn’t like the hiking and he wants to be home. Despite his protestations and complaining week after week, I’m not sure any of us really believed he would quit.

And then he did.

The loss of Fail came at a shit time for me, personally. He was one of my first trail friends, and he and Cheese and Stoker were my original tramily since  Hot Springs, NC. That’s about 1300 miles of hiking together, and 4.5 months of knowing each other, which on the trail, is a long time. I never expected him to leave, and after Cheese was gone I told the remaining tramily I would be taking some time alone, skipping the next zero to go my own pace for a week, intending to reset mentally and process over some other frustrations that come with spending 24/7 with the same people for weeks on end.

Over the last few weeks as we prepared to send Cheese off, the tramily dynamics got a little tense, and communication wasn’t flowing in the normal way. What was once easy and fun hiking with friends day in and day out became more and more alone time, which isn’t always a bad thing, and I got to spend more time with Mountain Dew in the process, which was a great thing! Taking time alone in the woods can quickly change from giving yourself space to think and process to spinning in circles without resolution, creating imaginary scenarios where everything goes wrong. It’s important to bounce ideas off other people and get feedback for those crazy thoughts loops when you have the chance, and I’m grateful for Mountain Dew for hearing me talk through a lot of the same thoughts for the last week.

Mountain Dew was also taking some time alone after losing her last original tramily member herself. We grieved together for our loss of Cheese, and when Fail told us he was leaving, we cried together and squeezed each other tight as we felt guilt for our friend leaving as soon as we went our own way on the trail.

It turns out that the trail is just like the rest of life. We have entered the era of friend drama and emotional difficulties. The trail is just the background to our everyday lives out here together, and it’s just as easy to create problems here as it is anywhere. Sadly, not everyone finds the strenuous walks through the woods and over hills everyday to be calming, joyful, or worth it in any sense. For Fail, he stuck it out for longer than he ever wanted to, and now we will stick it out the rest of the way without him.

Mountain Dew and I did a rainy slack pack southbound into Manchester, Vermont on Fail’s last day. We met him at a restaurant in town with Gaslight and Roadhog, shaking from the cold of our damp clothes after we had been out in the wet day and accidentally tromped through a beaver bog off trail trying to take a short cut. We video called Cheese, who Fail would be seeing soon since they will be temporary roommates until Cheese finds a place for himself in his new city.

When Becky arrived to pick Fail up and take him home, it was all I could do to hold back my tears. We hugged each other and he reassured me that we would see each other again. Of course, knowing that I really will be able to hang out with him in the future helps with the sadness, but in the moment of losing one of my oldest trail friends while already feeling the mental pressures of being on the trail for so long myself… Well, I was sad. Real bummer, knowing I won’t have my long-term hiking friends with me at the end of this journey.

But we move on. Roadhog and Gaslight choosing to continue their hike together at a slower pace, planning to finish the trail in late September. Mountain Dew and I are blazing our own trail together now, heading off through the last of Vermont and into New Hampshire soon enough. While we moved forward alone, we decided to take it easy and give ourselves the time and space to relax for a moment. After warming up and cleaning off at a local hostel for the night, we caught a ride up to a trail head that would be only a 2 mile hike to a lake. There, we would spend the afternoon and night, trying to soothe our exhausted hearts and minds while we also allowed our bodies more time to rest.

The lake was beautiful, and it was indeed soothing to be able to set up camp in the early afternoon and. Just. Chill. I took a nap, we enjoyed dinner with some new friends (somehow even though we have been on the trail for 4.5 months and keep going the same direction at roughly the same pace, we keep meeting new NOBO hikers!), and I journaled about my mix of emotions flooding my brain from the last few weeks.

After weeks of 15+ miles a day (when we weren’t zeroing in towns), I was indeed tired of the feeling that the trail was just a path to walk on and that the trail itself wasn’t offering much that was worth slowing down for, not that we gave ourselves the time to slow down for much when we had places to be. In these last few weeks, most people I talk to have the same opinion: let’s slow down. Let’s enjoy the ride. Let’s do a 2 mile day to a lake and actually relax while we’re on the trail.

And so we did.

We will make it to Katahdin eventually, even if it’s not with the people we expected.

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Are you tired of famous tourist attractions in Miami? Do you want to know the original and local taste? Miami is a city with a rich food culture. Each street has its flavour, and each area has something new to offer. Miami’s hidden food gems are places that are frequented not only by tourists but also by locals.

These are the places that don’t come to the top in Google search but taste great. Today, we will share with you 10 hidden food gems of Miami that will give you an unforgettable taste experience. Every place has its style and taste.

This article will guide you on where to try the food on your next trip to Miami.

Lung Yai Thai Tapas: Little Havana

Little Havana is a very colourful and lively area. A hidden gem of the area is Ling Yai Thai Tapas. This is a tiny Thai joint that dishes up real-deal Northern Thai. The menu in this tiny place is tiny, but everything is mighty. If you eat green curry here, you must try it. The interior is very simple, but the quality of the food is very high. Locals come here again and again because the taste is consistent. If you want to try real Thai taste, don’t miss this place.

A-Mari-Mix Fresh Mex Fusion: South Miami

There is a hidden gem in South Miami called A-Mari-Mix Fresh Mex Fusion. This restaurant serves a fusion of Mexican and Cuban cuisine. Their Rupa Vija Taco is very famous. This place is small but crowded. The service here is friendly, and the portion sizes are good. Here you can also get their sweet dessert, the fried cheesecake. The beautiful thing about each one of these dishes is that they are made with all fresh ingredients, and it shows in the taste. Local people consider this place their secret place.

Ink and Coffee: Coral Gables

Tucked in a quiet corner of Coral Gables is this Cuban cafe. Tinta y Café is great for Cuban breakfast and snacks. Here you can find croquettes, pastelitos, and strong Cuban coffee. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and you can even spend time with your laptop. The staff is very polite, and every order is made fresh. Sandwiches are also their strong point. This is the perfect option if you need a peaceful place to have breakfast.

La Camaronera: Little Havana

This is a seafood joint that has been serving fresh food to people for decades. Their signature dish is the pan con minto hota, which is a fried snapper sandwich. You might think this is a simple dish, but it is very strong in taste. The menu is very limited, but everything is carefully prepared. Their fried shrimp and black-eyed pea fritters are also popular. This place gives a true taste of traditional Cuban seafood. Service is fast, and prices are reasonable.

El Turco: Downtown Miami

This Turkish spot is tucked away in a quiet area of ​​downtown. El Turko is famous for its Turkish kebabs and mezze plates. Here you eat healthily and well. The restaurant ambiance is modest, but the food is a treat. The staff will teach you about the different plates so that you can make the best choice. The lentil soup and lamb shank are a must-try. This is the place for people who enjoy experimental tastes.

Buena de: Buena Vista

This Italian-American eatery is located in a quiet corner of Miami. Their beef tartare and crispy potato dish are very popular. Inside, you will find modern and comfortable décor with space to dine. All their dishes are super well-plated and taste delicious. Book because this place gets very busy. This place can also be the perfect date night option.

La Naturale: Little River

This restaurant is famous for its wood-fired pizzas and use of organic products. La Naturale’s menu is very unique and innovative. Inka sourdough crust pizza and whipped ricotta toast are must-haves. The atmosphere is very artistic, and the vibe is laid-back. This place is perfect for healthy food and clean flavours. This is a great choice if you like natural and sustainable food options. The staff are helpful, and the atmosphere is cool.

Zetz Sam: Coral Gables

Zitz Sum is a fusion eatery with a mix of Asian and Latin flavours. Their menu is modern and updated with seasonal changes. Pakora is their signature dish, which is very fresh and tasty. The atmosphere is simple, but the taste of the food is complex. The service is fast, and the presentation is clean. If you want to experiment with tastes, then you’ve got to come here.

B&M Market: Little Haiti

This is a small Caribbean grocery store with a food counter. B&M Market is famous for its jerk chicken and curry goat. Their food is home-style, and the spices are perfectly balanced. This is not a Dharna restaurant, but the taste of the food is five-star. Prices are reasonable, and portions are generous. This hidden spot is considered a local favourite.

Las Olas Cafe: South Beach

This little Cuban cafe in South Beach is hidden from the tourists. Las Olas Cafe is a cafe with a very basic interior, but the food tastes great. They are known for their Cuban sandwich and café con leche. This is the spot for breakfast and lunch. Service is fast, and prices are friendly. Locals come here, and every dish is freshly prepared. This place is different from the fancy places in South Beach, but the quality is high.

Conclusion

Miami isn’t just famous for luxury restaurants and tourist attractions. This city has hidden food gems that give real taste. These hidden spots give you a real cultural taste experience. Each restaurant has its own style and unique menu. You get a mix of every culture here. Whether you like seafood or desserts, or exotic dishes, Miami has it all.

By visiting these places, you will know what real food is like. Next time you visit Miami, you must try these 10 hidden food gems. It will take your food journey to the next level.

Feature Image by Peter Kraayvanger from Pixabay