Bass Creek and Lappi Lake Scramble

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

After the weird weather of the past two weeks in western Montana, today was a normal hot summers day. No better way to enjoy it than a romp in the woods. What started out as an easy 10 miler turned into a cross country route to Lappi Lake at 7,000 feet. Along the approach trail the crags were standing out against a perfect blue sky just asking to be climbed. This really is a fun valley.

Then it was time to find a way across Bass Creek and head up through the trees and brush and up onto the rocks. This is the mess of downed trees in the creek that I used to cross without getting wet feet. Yes, I took this picture while in the middle of the crossing.

My choice of routes up through the trees and shrubs trying to get above the thick part of the trees was most likely not the best or quickest. But I had fun with it. So many downed trees that I was just walking along one to the other in a zig zag way. Kinda rough on the bare legs but scratches heal. Eventually I made it to Lappi lake right at 7,000 feet.

The water is crystal clear and cold, but there are no fish in it. It was a great place to refill my water bottle and have lunch. I found a perfect campsite for the next time I am up here. I really wanted to get to the unnamed high point on the ridge above the lake but time was not on my side. I did take the time to scout the route up to the top for the next trip.

Just as I started down I had a great view of Stormy Joe, one of the last peaks I had climbed in the area this past year. Sure does look a bit more formidable from this angle than it did going up the ridge.

As I started on the trail this morning I saw thousands of Pine White Butterflies all along the early miles of Bass Canyon. It was a massive hatch. By the time I was coming out of the canyon most of them were dead or were having a hard time flying. I have never seen anything like it. If you didn't get out into the mountains in this little area you missed it. Really is amazing the things you see if you look…and get outside. This was one that i picked up near the truck so I could get a photo of the wing pattern. I then looked up what kind it was, that's the only way I know it was the Pine White.