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.