Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana
Wondering about the feasibility of a winter summit attempt on Sky Pilot Peak and a few other nearby high points, I set out today for a recon of the trail that would get me back to the mountain. Warm weather of the past few days combined with below freezing overnights made for lots of ice on trail in the lower reaches of the canyon.
One of the little mountain streams that normally flows into Bear Creek was completely frozen over all the way down the mountain. This is about 1 1/2 miles from the trailhead.
Knowing I would need to cross to the other side of Bear Creek I kept looking for an ice bridge. Never found one that I was comfortable enough to cross. Some more snow and a cold spell should fix that problem though. Probably will have to pack in a pair of fishing waders to make sure I can get a good safe creek crossing.
Some of the trees in one section of the valley are just covered in moss, while pretty neat to see in summer; it is a real splash of green with the stark winter landscape. It made a great place to eat a snack.
The normal crossing point about 3 miles up the valley was not something to try today. While the picture doesn't show the ice very well, the log was covered. So having only gone a bit over 3 miles from the trailhead I decided to turn and head up the south side of the valley to get a peak at the mountains further back in the valley.
And after a bit of scrambling this was the view I got. I'm sure now that I can get to the peaks I want to and they should be climbable this winter. I have been up them in summer conditions so I am familiar with the routes. Snow and ice should actually make the summits easier but camp will be colder and the pace will be slower.
