Kootenai Creek

Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Pretty icy at the trailhead parking area, and it continued to the trail. After a mile I stayed along the creek where the ice was pretty amazing. Biggest issue was listening to the ice and checking each step as I crossed back and forth on ice bridges. Some of the pools below the ice are deep and I didn't want to go for a cold swim. It was cloudy so it seemed even colder in the valley.

The way the ice formed made for an otherworldly experience. That is why I like this canyon so much, each time I go into it I see something new.

Went about 4 miles up the canyon and was going to go further, but one of my crampons broke. That was something I never expected to happen but even good gear has a bad day now and then. Have to see what Grivel says when they get back to me. Probably tell me to buy a new pair.

I followed along the trail to get back to the truck and all along the uphill side there was ice on most of the rocks. Winter is in full swing in the Western Montana mountains.

Mount Sentinel Summit

Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, Montana

Between snowstorms there was time for Geri and I to hike the Mount Sentinel Loop. This is a fun trip that starts at the University of Montana by going east on the Kim Williams Trail, then south on the Hellgate Canyon trail for a bit over 1900 feet of steady climbing then just a little more up to the summit. Once your pretty high up the trail you can see the summit area.

Looking across Hellgate Canyon to Mount Jumbo and the Rattlesnake Wilderness in the distance all I see are places I have been and places I have yet to go.

From the summit you can see nearby University Mountain. Today wasn't a day to get to the top of both. Will save that trip for another weekend.

Not wanting to hike back the way we had come it was down the southwest side of the mountain to the "M" Trail and back to where the car was parked. Every step of the entire loop was on snow, or ice covered by fresh snow. In other words…Montana winter.

Pegnelly Ridge

Missoula Parks and Lolo National Forest, Montana.

With todays warming trend I headed out for a quick "straight up the ridge" to get a look over the Missoula and Bitterroot Valley's. Left my traction devices at the house so the snow packed trails were a bit more challenging than they would normally be. There were 2 sets of ski tracks on the upper slope. Someone was making good use of the snow for a bit of fun and a quick decent back to the trailhead.

Views across the valley to Lolo Peak were pretty good, needed the payoff as temps in the upper 20s had me sweating on the way up.

Bass Creek Waterfall/Icefall

Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana.

First day of the new year and a great day for an adventure. With the cold weather of the past weeks continuing I decided to see if the falls leading into Bass Creek would be fully iced up. From the looks of Bass Creek itself there was a good chance for lots of ice.

I could see sun up high on some of the ridges, and blue sky as well. Along the valley floor it was cold, 10 degrees in Missoula when I left the house, it was colder along my route.

Once I could see the ice of the falls from my route, I just had to get right up to the sculpture. Didn't think it would collapse while I was at the base, but having seen what it looks like after it has collapsed still made me careful. All totaled its a bit over 90 feet tall and the base it was over 6 feet thick. But you can still hear a trickle of water under it all.

I like how the ice really looks like flowing water, even up close.

After spending some time trying to safely get to the top of the ice I gave up and headed back to the truck. Even with crampons it was a bit more than I was willing to risk. More snow than I have seen along Bass Creek.