Mineral Peak Summit

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

A Sunny Spring Day unfolded this morning and all the local trails were calling. I had a plan to ride my mountain bike from the main Rattlesnake Trailhead to the trail junction for Mineral Peak. This would make it a day hike rather than an overnight trip as I saved myself 17 miles of hiking. Right after I took this photo I walked my bike into the woods and locked it to a tree. Couldn't see it from either trail but I locked it up anyway.

All the lower trails were snow free so shorts and trail runners were a good choice and I made real good time although it was pretty steep with lots of downed trees across the trail. Then after about 2.5 miles I got into the snow. Looked a lot like winter up the mountain and after the trail runners got wet they lost some of their appeal. They did grip a lot better than I expected. I climbed to the top of the old fire lookout at the summit and took a picture of the slope I had just climbed up, and had to go down! The snow is still deep enough that it has to be measured in feet.

Near the top of the mountain there was an outcrop of rock that was snow free and I was surprised to find lots of Lady Bugs all over the sunny side of the rocks. Easily had to be 20,000 in total. Not wanting to step on any I stayed off the rocks and took a picture of some near the edge.

After hanging out at the summit for a bit it was back down the mountain…but not exactly the same way I came up. Took a line about where I figured my bike was and off I went. Came out on the lower trail only a quarter of a mile from my bike. As I was riding back to my truck it started raining lightly. A long day but a good one.