Final Thoughts on the Blue Mountains Trail

BMT is hard. It is remote, the conditions are difficult and many times it does not even exist. Additionally, water is often not available. There is constant work being done to clear the trail where it is overgrown, but it is obviously a slow process and will never be «finished» as it grows back almost as quickly as it is cleared.

There were three times in the five weeks of my trip that I would have stopped at if I could have. If a helicopter had passed by and dropped a ladder on me at that moment, I would have happily climbed aboard. But it sure feels good to have overcome those moments and persevered.

The trail runs through impressive geography and a great variety of landscapes. The mountains at the beginning and end are a great juxtaposition with the canyon section in the middle. It really is an incredible country and I feel lucky to have been able to experience it.

If you are planning a full or section hike of the BMT, I will be happy to be a resource. Pip Redding, the BMT Trail Coordinator at GHCCIt has my contact information.

Magical trail thanks

I couldn’t have completed this without a lot of support. Many thanks to my Trail Angels: Mike and Donna, Gabriel, Catherine and Shawn, Darilyn and David. And most of all, Mary, who helped me plan and prepare throughout the year, as well as making three trips between NM and OR for my start, R&R weekend in La Grande, and the finish.

There were also many strangers along the way who were very kind and supportive. Those acts of kindness made a huge difference for me, both physically and mentally. Thank you!!

Final statistics

• Total mileage = 568. Note that the BMT is advertised as 530 miles long. My total mileage was the equivalent of two extra days on the road. Plan accordingly.
• Final gradient = 105,862′
• Days on the road = 34
• Average daily mileage = 16.7 miles
• Longest mileage in a day = 28 miles
• Beers consumed en route = 16 (not including my weekend of rest and relaxation in La Grande)
• Wilderness areas crossed = 7: Strawberry Mountain, Monument Rock, North Fork John Day, North Fork Umatilla, Wenaha Tucannon, Hells Canyon, and Eagle Cap
• Other BMT hikers met along the way = 1

Compared to the Colorado Trail

I thought about comparing the BMT and the CT because they are the same length and I have also uploaded them both.

• Length: the same.
• Elevation Gain: The BMT has approximately 16,000 feet more elevation gain.
• Average Elevation: The CT is much higher at 10,300′, which is higher than the highest point of the BMT. I’m guessing the average elevation of the BMT is around 6000 feet.
• Humanoids: many fewer in the BMT.
• Cities and resupply points: It is definitely easier to resupply in the CT.
• Mobile coverage: much better in the CT.
• Ease of navigation: the CT, without a doubt. A big challenge of BMT is the almost constant need to find routes. There is no single BMT trail sign to guide you.
• Trail Conditions: It’s not even a contest. The CT wins this by a landslide, pardon the pun.

Happy hiking!

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