Bass Creek Valley

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana

First day of the new year and back to see how the recent cold snap has impacted one of my favorite backcountry trails. Also thought I would try to get up to one of the unnamed high points on the north ridge of the valley. What I found was lots and lots of ice on Bass Creek. Some open flowing water was left but not as much open spaces as I had expected. The valley floor along the creek never got any sunlight today, and I would be surprised if the temp ever got above 10. It was below 0 at the trailhead when I started out.

The first 3 miles I was able to walk without having to use my snowshoes, just traction devices on my boots, but then the snow got deep in a hurry. I worked my way up the side of the ridge to see if I could get to some windblown areas. That just didn't work today. About 3 feet of snow has fallen higher up in the Bitterroots in the past 10 days I was was making my own trail through it all. After a lot of work I found an area that had little snow and some sun but it was on a really steep slope. To make it worse only 100 yards beyond these trees I was back into deep snow. I ended up taking a break and eating lunch leaning on the crooked tree in this picture.

With lots of effort I made it almost to the top of this high point, but the snow was pretty deep, the angle was beyond 35 degrees and I was feeling uncomfortable with the potential of starting a small avalanche that would have me in it. So I will save this for another day. It still made for a great day in the woods. I saw 1 other person and that was within 1/2 mile of the trailhead on my way out.

Winter days with no clouds are rare enough that even though they tend to be very cold, I just hate to waste them by being indoors. Can't wait for the next one.