Summerland - Panhandle Gap — Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

The last time Georg and I hiked this was almost 3 years to the day. I think the reason was snow and the bridges were in disrepair. The last time we went, snow on the last 100 or so feet to the Gap and we had to make leaps of faith to cross the stream. At my age, I prefer a bridge to my athletic  ability. The bridges are all in and no snow.

Besides the beauty of the surrounding landscape, this hike was about the people we met. Most hikers were  doing the Wonderland. We met 5 groups, mostly pairs, that this was their last leg and their car was at the trailhead we just came from. We met a couple from New York that were attempting to run the Wonderland. They had run from the Frying Pan trail head to 2 miles past the Maple Creek Campground and were on their way back to the car. It turned out, even though in excellent shape and lots of trail running experience, they under-estimated the trail. Still, they were on track for about 40 miles of some of the best scenery in the Park.

Another hiker we met was Devon. We met him while we were lunching in our room with a view at the Gap. He was a traveling nurse and used his job to visit every national park and he picked a best of hike in each. He was saving the one in the Virgin Islands for last. This was his second to last park. I think he probably has pictures well into the thousands from his visits.

We spent 30-40 minutes soaking in the views. For some reason, they never get old. When we tell people that we hike about 20 hikes a year, they say lucky us. Yes we are.

Like a lot of long hikes (12 miles,3000ft. elevation) the last mile is extremely long, but then I just fixate on the soon to be had huckleberry waffle cone soon to be had a the Wapiti. Happy hiking!