Saint Joseph and Little St Joe Summits

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Last day of July and it has been hot so the snow should be gone from the mountain peaks. So off to the Bass Creek Overlook trailhead to start going up. There was little to no thought given to the route of this trail, it just goes up the ridge towards Little St Joe till it peters out in the scree. Turns out I was mostly right about the snow but there were several snow fields on the way up to Little St Joe, and the chute for St Joseph itself was chock full of snow forcing me into an adventurous detour route.

Even with the detours it was a great climb and the views were spectacular. It was also one of the hardest days in the mountains I have had in a few years. Finding a route across the ridge and up and around the cliff bands near the summit took a lot of energy and in a few places there was some exposure that was quite a ways down if I fell. So I took my time, made sure of both footing and handholds and made extra sure not to tumble.

Once up on top it felt as if I could see forever in this part of the world. Can see some of the peaks I have already been on, and lots more that I still need to climb. Hard to tell in the picture but I could make out the small plume of smoke from a lightning caused fire that was started yesterday afternoon. Not much to burn where it is at and I wouldn't wish the hike in to the fire site on any wildland firefighter. It's that steep, rugged and remote.

Was pretty parched on the way down even though I carried more water than normal to drink. There is one spring on Little St Joe and I headed for it and filled up on great fresh cold water. It also is the only lush green meadow on either mountain so it is a great place to rest for a while as well. I have seen elk there before but none today.

After a rest I headed the rest of the way to the truck ending a great day. Only saw 4 people today and they were all together about 2 miles from the end of my day.

Huckleberries, Bear Grass, Blue Point Summit, and a Bear

Rattlesnake Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

Less than 30 minutes from front door to trailhead I decided to see what Blue Point looked like in the summer. Found it was not the ridge I thought it was the past 2 winters and that it really looks blue when you see it from a distance, and it's not covered in snow.

On the way to the summit of the point I found a great patch of huckleberries, juicy and ripe. Had to stop and pick some, and may need to go back in a day or two to really fill up on them for the freezer. As they are 5 miles from the trailhead I don't think I am in any danger of losing out to someone else.

Lots of wildlife, birds and butterflies and one of the most amazing displays of blooming Bear Grass I have seen. Probably the best I have ever seen and it covered the entire upper ridge for almost a mile.

On the way back to the trailhead and the truck, while I knew I had a bunch of freshly picked Huckleberries in my pack, I ran across a good sized (a bit bigger than me) cinnamon colored black bear who was ripping an old log apart. I startled it and then he quickly climbed a really big tree and then just got a bit agitated as it stood on the first set of branches. First time I have ever had a bear huff and pop his jaws at me. After a bit of a standoff I made a detour that was a bit out of my way and added about a 1/2 mile to my days trip. Funny how I see more bears in the Rattlesnake than I do in Glacier. I did get a few good pictures of him and one video as well. He was one focused bear.

Scalplock Mountain Summit

Glacier National Park, Montana

After off and on rain storms overnight I headed up Scalplock Mountain at the southern end of Glacier. Made for some interesting in and out of the clouds for some of the day. It was to be my last adventure of the week prior to driving back to Missoula. The skies cleared as I was gaining altitude and the views opened up. The approach trail was a beautiful path through the forest that some guidebooks call an unimpressive green tunnel, but I like this part of the climb almost as much as the views from the top.

Once I reached the summit (only 2 small bits of snow to cross) I spent some time just watching the clouds go by, and scouting routes for some of the nearby peaks that I will try to summit later this summer.

Only saw two others going up this mountain so it was a nice quiet day with little to interrupt a wonderful easy climb to another Glacier summit.

Red Eagle and Medicine Grizzly Lakes

Glacier National Park, Montana

After a bite of lunch I was off for the Saint Mary trailhead and headed towards the head of Red Eagle Lake for the night. First time on the trails here since the fire in this valley. The fire sure changed the feel of the hike, and also the sound the wind makes in the trees.

After a quick 10 miles I was greeted by a bull moose right by my planned campsite. He kept an eye on me and I on him, but his focus in life was eating. I watched him eat for close to 3 hours and in the AM he was right back in the water eating again. I liked his style and I wish I could eat like that. While I kept an eye on Mr. Moose I was also watching lots of ducks, and the duck mothers were shepherding their little ones around the lake with them.

Lots of plant growth and the mosquitoes that come with the lake so it was a tent night, but no rainfly.

Come morning I was packed up and on my way out, but the flowers were in full bloom and I managed a few good pictures. I like this one so it is what you get to see.

Next I was off to go Medicine Grizzly lake and to evaluate the snow going up Triple Divide Pass. As normal, lots of bear activity in the Medicine Grizzly area. I love how the park service posts signs about the bears.

I spent the night in the area and found that when the sun came up in the morning I had not been eaten by anything. The worst I had to deal with was passing through the remains of two avalanche chutes. Once the snow melts it sure leaves a puzzle of trees to climb over, under and sometimes through.

I made it to the lake and had a snack then it was back to camp and the end of this adventure outing.

Belly River Area Backpack

Glacier National park, Montana

With plenty of snow still in the high country most of the backcountry users are being funneled into the Belly River area of the park. After playing around in the other areas I went into the Belly River area as well, but I went up over Gable Pass and down to Slide Lake. Gable Pass was still locked in winter but the areas around it were snow free and beautiful. The first 6 miles of my route is also one of the two northern end points of the Continental Divide Trail. So I have hit the south trailhead for the PCT and the north trailhead of the CDT so far this year. The first snow I encountered going onto Gable Pass was a huge snow slope so out came the ice ax and down it I slid. It was a lot of fun…about a 200 foot glissade.

The view of Chief Mountain from the backside of what most people see was nice. Lots of glacial debre as I climbed in the area. I will have to come back and work on getting to the summit of the Chief but not as a solo trip.

I made it to Slide Lake for the night and camped out under the stars. When I woke in the morning this is what the sky looked like. One of the best sunrises I have seen. This was at 5 AM and a few moments later this great view was gone.

Back up and over Gable Pass again then out into the Belly River and on to Glens Lake. Long day but I made it to the wonderful waterfalls about a mile past Mokowanis Lake. Not listed as one of the premier falls in the park, I think it is in the top 3 when there is enough snowmelt. I also like that you have to work a bit harder to get to it and also do some extra research to see it on the map.

The next morning I hiked back out to the Chief Mountain Trailhead and moved to another area of the park to hike into for the next night. The adventure must continue.

Otokomi Lake Backpack

Glacier National Park, Montana

After a long drive to the east side of Glacier National Park I headed up the Otokomi Lake trail to spend the night as the only person in the Rose Creek basin. A wonderful surprise as I expected the July crowds to be rolling in already. Dry trails and blue skies made the hike in wonderful, and the blooming flowers were an added viewing pleasure. Rose creek was flowing fast and strong from the snowmelt at the head of the basin.

I arrived at the lake at what my belly was calling dinnertime so I found a small beach and had a wonderful meal. Amazing how simple food can taste like it is from the finest 5 star restaurant when you have the right environment to enjoy it in. Not a bad little camp kitchen and dining room, besides I had lots of crystal clear water available.

I sat and enjoyed the views across the lake for a bit then went exploring. Had to cross quite a bit of snow in places but there were enough elk trails that it helped me get around. Think I may have to pack an inflatable boat in and do some fishing here as I saw some good sized trout cruising by the shoreline.

Camped where I was supposed to and spent the night sleeping out under the stars about 3 feet from a sizable snowbank. I was on dry ground so it was all good. Hiked back out first thing in the morning and went off to another trailhead for more backcountry searching. Wonderful nights in the Glacier backcountry like this one are a special treat. I'm lucky to live here.