Packer Meadow Loop

Clearwater National Forest, Idaho and Lolo National Forest, Montana

With everyone back to work today it seemed a good day to head off and play in the snow at pass level. Took the skinny skies out for the first trip of the winter and found muscles that I have not used in a long time. Started on the Packer Meadow Loop and then took detours back and forth across the MT/ID border for several miles in untracked snow. When i wanted to get back onto the loop I had to make a challenging drop down to the trail. Only pictures I took today were of the ski tips about to go over the edge. After about a 50 foot steep section it was much more gradual. Still don't know how I stayed up but I did. Don't think I could do it twice in a row though.

When in the tracks from this past weekend near the beginning and end of the trip the snow was fast. Next trip on skies should be my 30+ year old skies. I just want to get on them one more time before they wind up on the wall as decorations.

Bass Creek Ice Waterfall

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana

Ice fog in the Missoula Valley and northwards led me southward to explore the north side of the Bass Creek valley. I wanted to check on the waterfall that comes down from Little St Joe to Bass Creek to see if it was a winter icefall and then to see if I could find a route to the top of the ridge. The route turned out to be really icy and my better judgement made me turn back prior to reaching the ridge.

I did make it to the icefall and worked my way directly below it and along the side. What you can't tell from the picture is the scale of all this ice. The ice in this photo is over 120 feet tall and the base was easily 8 feet thick. I felt dwarfed by it. It also got me to thinking that if it collapsed while I was standing there it wouldn't be such a good place to be.

The valley bottom had lots of animal tracks as there were no human tracks but the ones I was leaving.  This critter had a nice consistent path with evenly spaced tracks that went on for quite some distance. No human tracks but mine once past 3 miles up the valley.

In January I will go to Bass lake and spend the night and try for a winter summit of Smokey Joe. Somehow I think I will have the head of the valley all to myself.

Lolo Pass Recreation Area and Glade Creek

Clearwater National Forest, Idaho

Christmas morning welcomed us with plenty of snow and the first blue skies in over week. Presents were all opened so Geri Lynn and I thought we would spend time together in the mountains. We had a blast but were not the only ones with this idea. The parking area was full as snowshoers and X-country skiers were out in force. Looked like some were trying out Christmas presents just opened earlier today from how shiny their gear was.

The snow on the top layer was light with lots of crystallization. It let you sink in some as we traveled on it but with the abundant sunshine it really sparkled. Really pretty conditions to be out in the mountains. Couldn't get a picture that did justice to the beauty of it…this one taken by Geri Lynn came the closest.

Once we got to the high point of the ridge the view was just wonderful. The peak barely showing in the distance is calling to me to go climb it. That is once I figure out just which of the Bitterroot peaks it is.

After working our way down into the valley we were at Glade creek, where Lewis and Clark stayed both while going west, and on the way back east. They didn't get to see it with all the snowlike we did. As you can see we have lots of snow already and months more for it to build deeper. Lots of things we could have done on Christmas day, but I think this one was about the best.

Lolo Pass Recreation Area

Clearwater National Forest, Idaho

With temps at pass level balmy in the upper 20's it was time to strap on the snowshoes and head for Lolo Pass. Geri Lynn agreed to go along so we were off. Tried out the newly designed 3 mile snowshoe loop just on the Idaho side of the state line and then did some other exploring. About 36 inches of consolidated snow in the area, would be deeper if so much wasn't stuck on the trees! Sky was overcast and fog was moving in and out as well. Unfortunately the conditions washed out most of the photos.

Along the upper ridge line the trees have taken a beating from the snow and ice of the past 2 weeks. Seeing the weird shapes that grow on the trees is almost as much fun as getting up onto the ridges. One Larch tree we passed had a 6 inch wedge shape of ice stuck to it for the entire length of the tree, and the tree was well over a 100 feet tall. That picture didn't turn out but I like this little tree that was just hanging in there all by itself.

One last shot from when the fog cleared up. It was almost sunset when I took this one and it really shows what the whole hike was like when we were out of the fog. Lots of fun, will have to go back in the same area next week and climb the first mountain on the Idaho side of the border, not just ridge hop along looking into the valleys.

Blackfoot River Corridor

Lolo National Forest

Holidays and frigid weather have limited time in the high country. Today I waited till temps reached a balmy 0 degrees before I headed out to see what the cold has done to the Blackfoot river. Unfortunately the higher up the river corridor I went, the colder it got. Hard to imagine I was on this stretch of river in an inflatable kayak the last week of September. While I thought it was cold then…now way I would get in that water today.

To see the whole lower river section I hopscotched all the access points from where the Clearwater joins the Blackfoot till it empties into the Flathead. Even though I was dressed warm, after just a few minuets of scrambling along the riverbank I could feel the cold creeping into me. The sun couldn't make a dent in the ice building up in the tributaries although it did feel good when it was shining on me.

Snow line is pretty well defined along the valley. Tomorrow a new system is expected that should lower it even more. None of what is on the ground is going to melt anytime soon as it will be another week tun till temps are expected at or above freezing.

Woods Gulch

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

Beautiful bluebird skies and very cold temps greeted me so I stayed closer to home on todays adventure. I could see a distinct snow line in the Rattlesnake Mountains from my front window so off I went to see how deep the snow was up on top. I carried both the Yak Trax and the snowshoes to see which I would need. Should have used snowshoes up on top but the snow wasn't all that deep so I explored by breaking my own trail in just boots and gaiters. Views were worth the effort to see them.

Ridge near Blue Point, Rattlesnake Mountains, MT

The lower trails were clear but a steady climb quickly put me into intermittent snow that finally turned to completely snow covered by the 3 mile mark. After that it was off trail and up on the ridge line.  I followed 6 sets of Elk tracks for a bit, never did see them.  Valley temps were to reach a high of 27, up on top it was a lot colder. My water bottle iced up and the top froze over, never had that happen on a day hike before. Time to rethink my cold weather hydration strategy. Probably have to put it on the inside of my pack again.

Wagon Mountain Summit

Lolo Pass, Lolo National Forest, Montana

With the passage of this weekends storm I dug out the snowshoes and headed for Lolo Pass for the first true snow adventure of the year. I decided after I got to the pass to summit Wagon Mountain as it is the first named mountain on the Montana side of the pass. I had considered trying this route last winter but never got it done. This followed the same route as Lewis and Clark across the Lolo Pass. I think I had it easier than they did.

Officially there was 21 inches of new snow at Lolo Pass, but as I moved higher up the mountain it was drifted much deeper in places. The forest was so much quieter blanketed in snow. I spooked a whitetail doe just after I took this picture.  Followed her tracks for several hundred yards as they she was going up towards the summit, but the tracks were small and really didn't help break much trail for me.

Near the summit of Wagon Mountain

Views back into Idaho 

Even with the overcast skies the views were great. I like looking at distant peaks and trying to figure out how to get to and climb them. Living here I know I will never run out of places to explore.

Being the first snowshoe trip of the year I really was tired by the time I got back to my truck. This was tougher than any 20+ mile day on dry trails I did this year! Can't wait to get back up in the snow later this week. Hope for blue skies.

Kootenai Creek

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Blue skies seem to have left Western Montana. The storms have not left enough snow yet for good snowshoeing so I headed to a lower elevation trail in the Bitterroots.  A few peeks of sun snuck through the clouds today, the longest was just as I entered the Wilderness area, but thick overcast was the norm.  Fall colors were still vibrant along Kootenai creek while one ponderosa pine near the trail appeared to dance the "twist" in the breeze of approaching weather accompanied by creek produced music.



















Once further up the valley the squalls kept coming. Some were ice pellets, some snow, but most were lightly falling rain. Finally decided to turn around when the valley was completely socked in all the way to the Idaho border and there was enough moisture to make me put the camera away. Put some new gear to the test today and am happy with my choices. The Spot locator worked flawlessly from the narrowest part of the valley while in the trees. This will be great for piece of mind as most of my adventures are solo.

Bass Creek

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

After a week without getting out into the woods I jumped at the chance to get out between two early season storms.  This turned out to be the first winter weather outing of the season for me as temps stayed well below freezing for the entire time.  There were a few footprints in the snow for the first 3 miles, then it was just fresh untracked powder for me to cross.

As I headed west towards the Idaho state line I was watching an approaching storm. By the time I was 5 miles up the valley the storm front had caught me and I was in steadily falling snow. Enough of a storm that I had to pull the ear flaps down on my hat and put on my extra coat but then I was comfortable.









As I crossed over a small tributary of Bass Creek, I was treated to unique ice crystals that had formed on the sides of the flowing water. By the time I got back to this stream crossing on the way down the valley (little more than an hour later) the crystals were completely covered with new fallen snow. I was the only person to see them like this.

Visibility deteriorated pretty fast after the storm arrived so I put my camera back into my pack after this last shot. I continued up the trail until my predetermined turn around time. Then it was back to the trailhead to make sure I got out before it got dark.

Glen Lake Point Summit (Point 8608)

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Awoke to another great looking fall morning so I headed out into the wild. This time I went south in the Bitterroot Valley almost to Victor and turned west. After 15 miles I ran out of badly washboarded dirt roads and came to the Glen Lake trailhead. It's as far west as you can drive in the area. The trail started out in an area badly burned in 2006 by the Gash fire.  Lots of dead trees created blowdowns to cross.

After a mile and a half of steady uphill I crossed into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area.  This is the third different wilderness I have been in this week, all within an hours drive from my house. Eventually I came to the trails main attraction...Glen Lake. I was surprised at how green the lake is.  This is not a color I have come to expect of high mountain lakes across Montana, and this lake is pretty high at 7,500'.  There are two additional small unnamed lakes about a quarter of a mile further up from Glen lake and both of them were crystal clear and mostly covered by ice.  I got water at the highest one and it was good tasting and really cold.

Glen Lake

After a short break it was time for some off trail scrambling to get to the summit.  This was the steep climbing for the day.  The snow started getting deeper as I went higher.  By staying rear the ridge I made pretty good time.  I did have lots of stops to catch my breath as the slope was nearing 50 degrees of incline in places. By the time i reached the summit the snow was almost to my knees.  Of course I was hiking in shorts and didn't think to bring my snowshoes along.  My feet were soaked by the time I got back below the snow line.  It was so nice out I would do it the same way again in a heartbeat. 

Ridge towards the summit

Summit view towards St Mary Peak

The views in all directions were great, but it was nice to see the summit of St Mary Peak just across the valley. The trip down was a lot quicker than the trip up and the snow actually helped speed up the decent. Just over a mile from the truck I ran into a couple heading in to Glen Lake to spend the night, they were the only people I saw all day.  I am sure they have the place all to themselves tonight.

Young's Mountain Summit

Bob Marshall Wilderness, Lolo & Flathead National Forests, Montana

Another beautiful Fall day across western Montana so I headed to a trailhead I have never been to.  My plan was to get about 12 or so miles of hiking in and get a different view across the Bob Marshall Wilderness from Young's Mountain.  It was a bit of a drive to the Lodgepole Creek trailhead but it was worth every mile of it.  This forest road was one of the best I have driven on this entire year.  My truck was the only one parked there when I arrived and was still all alone when I left.  Really nice to have this whole area of Montana to myself for the day.

The colors in the mountains are really something this year.  The Larch's are all in their best yellow-gold and when the sun hits them just right they are mesmerizing. Lots of shrubs dressed in red as well.  I wish I had the photo skills to capture the brillance of the plants...these pics will have to do for now.

After 4 miles of steady uphill I arrived at Young's Pass and found the "Bob" sign.  Whenever I get into a wilderness area it brings a big smile to my face.

Had a bit of an accident and took a weird fall as I continued the climb to the top of the Mountain.  While I escaped without serious injury, my camera did not.  I think it may be fatal but will know more after I call Nikon in the morning.  I had a "trail rage" moment, but could only get mad at myself as it was my own fault I fell.  I can't share the phenomenal views I saw the last mile to the top but they were the best ones of the year.  The sky was such a great deep blue, the marching lines of mountains were shimmering white with snow...as was the top of the one I was standing on.  If the storm expected on Monday doesn't dump too much snow on the roads to the trailhead I may try and get back up one of the neighboring summits and get some photos of the area to share.  Just have to take the bigger and heavier Nikon.

So what did today bring?  Only 13.4 miles of a great trail, over 4,000' of uphill to another summit, and the realization that I better get a Spot GPS beacon if I am going to continue to hike alone...and maybe it isn't a good idea to walk with an expensive camera in my hand.  Did I mention I found 3 more trailheads in the area to explore.  Even with the fall it was another good day in the mountains.

Cleveland Mountain Summit

Welcome Creek Wilderness, Lolo National Forrest, Montana

Took a long day hike through the Sapphire Mountains Welcome Creek Wilderness to the relatively low 7,327 foot summit of Cleveland Mountain.  While one of the smallest wilderness areas in Montana, it also comes with no crowds!  The lack of people might be on account of the really rocky trails...these are real ankle killers and they go on for miles.

5 miles in the hike I came across an old miners log cabin.  It is called the Carron Cabin.  Still has several old shovel heads and some pots and pans on the inside.  The walls are still intact but the pole roof has caved in on it.  While the valley doesn't get a lot of sun throughout the day, the builder did pick a spot with the morning sun shining brightly on the front door.

The old Carron Cabin

With all the leaves off many of the bushes, you can find some interesting things like this Hornets nest right beside the trail.  I wonder how many passed by it and never knew it was there.  Fortunately with temps hovering right around freezing all day long...no hornets came out to pay their respects to me as I passed by (twice).  If they had I would have picked up my pace...and not taken this photo.

No Explanation Required

It took me a little bit to find the summit survey benchmark because the trail petered out near the summit and it was also lost in lots of blowdowns of old fire destroyed trees.  Once I did it was  I back down the trail towards my truck.  I have a guidebook that shows it is only 5 miles from the trailhead to the summit.  The GPS tells a different story.  I think they have the wrong peak in mind in the guidebook because the elevation is also off by over 2,000 feet.  At least the directions to the trailhead were correct.

Cleveland Mountain Benchmark

The last bit of trail (and first bit as well) crosses over the famous Rock Creek.  I had planned on getting some fly fishing in but the sun was about to set and I still had an hours drive ahead to get back home.  The fish will still be there when I return.  Besides I should be fishing in the Blackfoot river an hour or two for each of the next few days.  This is why we live here.

Rock Creek

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Pyramid Pass

Bob Marshal Wilderness, Lolo & Flathead National Forests,  Montana

I knew it was going to be a great hike when the trailhead greeted me with an abundance of mountain gold, at least the only kind I will ever find.  The Western Larch's are exploding with color all across the region, these just happen to be in the Swan Mountains.

Temperature started off in the mid 20's and didn't warm up till well past noon.  With the exception of some chilly fingers (I didn't put any gloves on even though they were in my pack) it was a perfect day to exert some uphill energy without overheating and working up a sweat.

Western Larches at the Pyramid Pass Trailhead

Near the pass I came across an unnamed lake that was really getting a thick layer of ice on it.  Over 2 inches thick on most of the lake...and just a skim near the north shore with only about 2 to 3 feet of open water along one small stretch.

I located four peaks that I will need to summit in the next year, and have picked a route to try for each.  I might be able to get 2 of them in one day but they are a bit spread out.  Only had to go a bit over 12 miles to scout them all out.

Unnamed lake and peaks