The Narrator Tells Us They Turn Off From the Main Trail, and Enter a Seldom Traveled Canyon.
“This is apparently a seldom-entered canyon this far up. After another hour of hiking we see that the trail is about gone. .. “
Smaller Side Canyon Off Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT The three trail clues here suggest the canyon they enter is about same size as the one they are in and that the trail shows less use and that the trail soon disappears. I believe these clues mean they enter Fox Creek Canyon, as shown in my "Hypothetical Trail Climbing Map". It is reasonable that this canyon should also have a trail here, because it's floor must be fairly level and be large enough to look inviting. Thus we may suppose hikers on the well traveled Cottonwood Trail, might also explore this canyon somewhat and leave a weak trail. However, the main trail in Cottonwood Canyon continues all the way to Mt. Blackmore and beyond to Hyalite Canyon Campgrounds and public paved roads. These attractions are a destination and a source of foot traffic traveling both ways on the Cottonwood Trail. Clearly this main trail would show much more traffic than the “seldom-entered side canyon“. Hence all are important clues, really signs, as understood by people in the Middle Ages. You should study the Medieval theory of signs, logic, and reason portrayed in "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Ecco. A great book and a great read! New topic: Here the Narrator and Chris will turn-off from the main trail, and start their physically difficult climb to a ridge top, which continues into the next day. Here at this N+C 09 WayPt, my map shows this turn. Here they start making their own trail. Correspondingly the Narrator here departs form the philosophy of others and starts his own difficult "philosophic climb" to the discovery of true nature of Quality. He makes this philosophic trail as they go. Thus the physical trail and climb, poetically reflects upon a Chautauqua on Phaedrus’ Second Quality exploration. Next photo starts the Narrator’s description of how he and Chris reach the top of the ridge and the highest they go in their mountain climb. Correspondingly, you will see the Narrator’s gradual building to a dramatic Chautauqua climax. For me, one of the highest achievements of the entire ZMM!

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(Photo = Summer 2006 163 ...... ZMM Page = 181 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 09 6601ft)