Epic Great Divide - Day 13

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Fairmont Marriott Inn and Suites, Helena, MT to Merry Widow Mine Basin, MT

46.1 miles/74.2 kilometers

3957 feet/1206 meters elevation gain

Semi-primitive campground. Two outhouses, no showers but stream nearby, electricity, potable water, picnic tables, community hall.

Elevation – 5287 feet

Today’s ride was a slog. We had a choice between another death-defying technical single-track route and a safer option along a river. The group chose the river. Headwind the entire way, 29 miles, 4000 feet of climbing and mostly uninteresting scenery. I did manage to take a few great river pics but the route was pretty ho-hum. At least there were no injuries!

This morning, a very funny thing happened. Myself and Suzanne were on cooking duty but because we stayed in a hotel last night and the hotel provided breakfast, Suzanne and I only needed to set up a lunch making station.

Instead of setting up two white folding tables in the parking lot of the hotel (like we should have), we utilized a cement table that was on the grounds of the hotel. After we laid out all the meats, cheeses, breads, snack boxes, chips and a host of other lunchish snack items, we stood back to assess our work.

On cue, a sprinkler popped up and started spraying water in a circular fashion. And then a second sprinkler popped up . . . and then a third and a fourth! The entire lunch setup got instantly soaked! I was laughing so hard I could hardly make moves to find things to put over the sprinkler heads. It was hilarious! Once we did find things to cover the sprinkler heads, the water stopped. Suzanne and I were soaked and before anyone came out to make their lunches, we scurried like crazy to wipe everything down and rid the table of soggy breads and boxes and etc. You probably had to be there but it really started my day off with a great laugh!

Once in camp at the end of the ride, I noticed quite a few Mennonite folks. I think I need to read up on them because despite dressing exactly like Amish folks, this group had at least three half million-dollar RVs that they were staying in. Interesting! (Sorry, no pics.)

Umm, I think that’s about it. For dinner we had tortilla soup and a nice mango and avocado salad. Steve and Esther did the cooking and cleaning honors.

Oh, one other new thing. A new rider named Lucas joined the group this afternoon. He is taking the place of Bailey who crashed out and left the group. Lucas looks like he’s in his thirties and seems excited to be here. If he rides better than Bailey, he’ll be with us to the end.

Okay, that’s it. We have a pretty short ride tomorrow with not so much climbing.I think it will be more scenic than today.