Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana
Early morning start on a beautiful Montana mountain day. Not a cloud in the sky and not another vehicle at the trailhead. Few days start as good as this. Hiking along the creek I quickly noticed that Kootenai Creek is down from the torrent it was in the spring but the water is still crystal clear, cold and refreshing.
Working my way westward up the valley after about 5 miles I had a great view of Bass Peak. Then I realized that Lapi lake must be pretty close, maybe just over the north ridge. So a right turn and up towards the ridge line I went.
It was steep, followed an elk trail for some of the way but mostly it was just catch a breath and keep going up.
Once on the spur that ran from the main ridge the going got a bit easier. Still steep, but with lots of color to be found in the low brush growing close to 7,000 feet.
Eventually I made it to the top and could see the best way to drop into Lapi Lake from the ridge. Was using my hands to help me move along so no pictures got taken while up high. Coming back down was more of an adventure. Took longer than going up and I had a good tumble so for about 3 seconds it was pretty exciting. Only a few scratches and a small hole in my shorts so no harm done. Eventualy I got back to Kootenai Creek and followed the trail back to my truck. Such a pretty place so close to the house.
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