Lappi Lake Early Season Attempt

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Western Montana has been experiencing record warmth the last few days, and I just had to see if I could get to Lapi Lake and stay dry doing it. First I passed the old dam and the small lake still behind it. This was the first irrigation dam in Montana back in the 1800's. It was made out of wood so not much has survived but logs that tumble into the spring runoff get caught up here and help keep it in kind of working order. It makes a great place for a snack stop and many people hike just this far back into the valley.

My plan was to cross the creek on an ice or snow bridge at about 5 miles from the mouth of the valley then climb up the south wall to the little lake. Turns out I could not find a safe way across the creek. All the extra water flowing from the warm weather has ruined my planned crossing places. This was the best bridge I could find and it made cracking noises as I got barely on the edge. As cold as the water was I didn't want to go for a cold swim so I looked for adventure on my side of the creek.

The ice wall from 2 weeks ago was collapsed and it was back to being a waterfall. I have never seen it with flowing water in the middle of winter. As soon as things get back to normal in the next week it will start to become a wonderful ice sculpture again. That was over 100 feet of ice and it was so thick it had to be measured in feet. What a change the southern exposure and warm weather makes on the rocks and ice.

On the hike out I found some clumps of grass that were mostly covered by the snow, but still showed enough to make an interesting photo. If there had been any wind at all it would have ruined the reflection of all the trees on the slope higher up. I didn't get where I wanted to but still spent a wonderful day in the backcountry and didn't see anyone else till I was almost back to the truck. I enjoy making fresh tracks in the snow, and the snow does make it easier to go across slopes that otherwise would be chocked with brush.