Sawmill Gulch Ridge

Rattlesnake Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

After days of steady snow and lots of shoveling, today was a Montana dream. In the woods it was all about 3 colors, the white of the snow, green of the trees, and the deep blue sky. Temps where in the low teens but with the sunshine it felt much warmer. I hiked in a long sleeved shirt and as long as I had my ears covered and gloves on my hands it was plenty warm.

Geri and I started from the main Rattlesnake trailhead and broke a nice trail up to the Sawmill Gulch Trailhead, then up the cutoff up to the top of the ridge where we had great views of both drainages. Rather than loop around we reversed our route back to the car. After going over the same trail a second time the tread was well packed and really nice. Local rivers are really going to have good springtime flows when this all melts.

In case anyone forgets, this is a great place to live. The Rattlesnake is just north of Missoula, 20 mins from the house. The door is always open and the beer is cold.

Lookout Point Snowshoe

Blue Mountain Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

With constant snow since Saturday afternoon, and the worst avalanche warnings they can give it was another day to stay close to home. Trailhead for this hike is only 10 minutes from the front door and none of the slopes are very steep. Almost a foot of fresh snow to play in at the lower elevations. Geri and I were the first on the trail today and we took our took our time with lots of pretty views among the trees. Snow really does change the look and feel of the forest. When we got to the top of the lookout point there really wasn't much to see as it was snowing heavier then. After about 2 hours of wandering we made it back to the car and headed home. A sort outing but still better than not getting out at all.

Rattlesnake Short Snowshoe

Rattlesnake Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

Forecast was 1 inch of new snow, woke up to 6 inches and it was still falling. Avalanche center put out a "stay out of the backcountry" advisory because of all the slides over the past few days. Four that caught people in them. So I scrapped plans for the Swan mountains and Geri and I took a short trip close to home. It was really pretty but doesn't come through in the photos. Lots of snow on the trees and more coming down. The blurry spot in the pic is snow sliding off the branches from a bit of wind. While not the adventure I had planned still a nice trip. Much better than staying inside the house.

Lolo Pass X-Country Ski

Clearwater National Forest, Idaho

Got an early start to the day as I expected the pass area to be crowded. Avalanche danger was pretty high so I stayed in the valley and near meadows. By 3 in the afternoon the highway down into Idaho was closed for 60 miles because of avalanche danger so I think I made a smart decision…lots of others thought the same so I had lots of company. With 8 feet of snow on the ground now the old forest service cabin at the pass is getting buried. Tree limbs I easily passed under on previous trips are so low now that I had to duck to get under them today. More snow is expected over the next few days so more snowshoe and ski trips to come.

Rattlesnake Creek Snowshoe

Rattlesnake Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

Once again it was shovel snow off the driveway then head out for playtime. Today was a break between storms so Geri and I headed back to the main Rattlesnake trailhead. Went on trails that were as close to the creek as we could. For about an hour we had some wonderful blue skies peeking through the clouds. Trees were all snow laden and the sunshine helped them dump some of their loads on us.

Not many were out on a Monday morning, but as we started Geri got the look of disapproval from an old man cross country skier when he looked at her snowshoes. Really was one of the funnier things I have seen out on the trails. Apparently as snowshoers we are a lower life form in his world.

Lots of snow in all the area mountains now. The local weather experts say we should get another 3 to 5 inches of snow tonight. Not too much longer and this tree will get buried completely. But it will get plenty of springtime moisture when all the snow melts.



I just think this was a really cool picture that Geri took of the snow on the trees. I know how lucky we are to get to see sights like this nearly every day when most don't.

Sawmill Gulch Snowshoe

Rattlesnake Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

It's winter in Montana, so after shoveling 8 inches of unexpected fresh snow off the driveway Geri and I went out to play in the mountains. Starting at the main trailhead for Rattlesnake creek it was up what is normally great mountain bike singletrack towards Sawmill Gulch. Snow was perfect and it kept falling as we snowshoed along our way.

After getting to the first meadow I turned and went uphill while Geri stayed on the main trail. On the steeper slope of the hill the snow was slide prone but not enough to be dangerous. I did slide into a downed tree that "bit" my left shin. That's not supposed to happen on snowshoes.

Geri and I played dueling cameras on the trail, but with overcast skies it was hard to get a spectacular shot. Just another great play day in western Montana. All next week should be a good one to play out in the snow as we are expecting more.

Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

The snow stopped falling about 10 am so after lunch Geri and I headed out to get a little mountain time in today. When we left the house temps had risen 30 degrees, it was now 16 degrees above 0 with a light wind.  Much better than the 30 to 40 below zero wind chills of the last days. several inches of new snow greeted us, as did lots of other Missoulians who had the same idea. We did a loop that took us to an unnamed high point on the northeast portion of the recreation area. Parts of the climb towards the top get a little steep but the trail has some well timed switchbacks. Fresh snow on the slope and the position of the sun made for a neat photo. Geri took this one.

The summit area also has some great views down the Bitterroot valley. This morning you couldn't see 1/4 of a mile with the blowing snow, and then most of the clouds were gone. more snow is on the way for the next few days so we had to enjoy the views while we could. A light wind was blowing and it sure put a chill on the cheeks and the nose.

View down the Bitterroot Valley

 Every time I come up this trail I am amazed by this split tree off by itself. It is a reminder of just where on the slope I am (close to the summit). This piece of the mountain catches a lot of really cold wind and with no other trees close by it bears the brunt of the Montana winter on its own. I suppose that I just like its attitude.

Crazy Canyon Snowshoe

Patee Canyon Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

With half a foot of fresh snow, warm temps in the 20 degree range and mostly blue skies it was a great time for Geri and I to head to trails pretty close to Missoula. We parked at the Crazy Canyon trailhead and headed uphill from there. Lots of others had ideas about some play time in the snow, the majority were exploring the area on x-country skies.

No one picture we took today was spectacular, but this one is just how great the views were all hike long. Sometimes it is just pretty cool to get to see the forests colors playing against each other. The area we were in has mostly lots of Ponderosa Pine in it and I love the color of the bark on them, especially during the winter. While we didn't have the area to ourselves it was still a great snowshoe trip. Anytime the fresh snow is on top it is lots of fun. I was surprised at how much ice there was underneath the snow. With the forecast for the next week never getting above freezing at all the good snow on top should last…but I wouldn't want to be on these particular trails when it is all exposed ice.