Bitterroot River Paddle

Chief Looking Glass to McKay Flats, Bitterroot River, Montana

Summer is quickly coming to an end across western Montana so I headed out for one last river adventure. About 18 miles of free flowing wild Montana water, or 6 1/2 hours of working my way down the river. I could see the Bass Creek crags from the river along with many other peaks I have climbed in the last year.

Used the inflatable 1 person boat I got last year. Sure is a fun little kayak/canoe cross. I like how easy it is to maneuver around in.

I know it is a tough way to spend my day, but I'm doing it for all those who can't. BTW, lots of fish in the river, and some of those trout are big.

Diablo Mountain Summit

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Clearwater National Forest, Idaho

In search of nearby mountains to summit I headed into the Idaho side of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to find new trailheads and places to go. Found lots of both but made a point of getting up to Diablo Mountain as well. I thought it had an abandoned fire lookout on top but when I got up there I found it has been repaired and is manned by trained volunteers. The current 5 day stretch was being staffed by a Missoula Fire Department Captain. It was fun talking with him.

The trail up was in good shape and gave wonderful views of the boggy, lush meadows below. The grass was waist high when I went down to it, and was such a wonderful green. Made the meadow stand out even more when I was walking past some of the fire damage from last years fire. The trail was along the line that held the fire.

I also saw lots of flowers, ate a few huckleberries, and chased butterflies around trying to get a picture of one for Caia to see. A great day in the mountains and another summit.

Skookum Butte Lookout and Summit

Lolo National Forest, Montana and Clearwater National Forest Idaho

A cool morning and it was time to find the old fire lookout that sits squarely on the summit of Skookum Butte. It also happens to straddle the Montana and Idaho state line and after getting on the trail I found markers showing it is a National Scenic Trail as well. The trip to the top starts in a wonderful meadow that looks like it should have an elk herd grazing in it. No elk present when I was there but there sure was lots of elk sign all around.

The trail was pretty steep after departing the meadow but it got me up to great views of the mountains in all directions as soon as I broke out of the trees. I can see why they put a fire lookout on top all those years ago. Would have been a wonderful place to work.

I am fascinated by the old lookouts around the mountaintops of Montana, and am starting to be able to tell what version they are. This one is a modified L-5 and looks as if it will be around for many years to come as long as fire doesn't get it at some time.

Wonderful huckleberries to be picked on the way down the mountain, now I have enough for a good batch of homemade jam with plenty left over for ice cream. Driving on forest service roads I come up on some weird signs from time to time. This one let me know I had crossed into Idaho and was now back in Montana. Got a kick out of seeing the sign on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.