Bear Creek

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Blue sky and warmest temps of the year caused me to hatch a plan to get to the headwaters of Bear Creek and the great summits in the area. Just 3 weeks ago I couldn't get to the trailhead due to all the snow and ice blocking the forest road, it was almost all gone today. Just a little bit along the road in the shaded areas. Did I mention the absolute gorgeous blue skies that were out most all day!

First mile and a half of trail was clear of snow, but lots of blow down. Some were pretty big like this old ponderosa but the majority were lodgepole pine.

A mile and a half in there is a bit of drop to the water coming down canyon. This is where most people stop then turn back. When I passed by there was a young family having a picnic in the area.

Just a few hundred yards beyond the falls the trail became snow covered. Lots of use compacted the snow so it remained easy going all the way to the 3 mile mark where you have to get wet to go further.

Knowing about the shallow crossing I brought an extra pair of shoes for the knee deep ford but should have brought my waders. The water was cold, really cold. But then it had been snow just hours before.

 Not one human track visible in the snow after I crossed the creek. That slowed me down some. Only took an hour to cover the first 3 miles but as the snow deepened I was not even making 2 miles an hour. Eventually I got close to my destination but I was getting pooped from breaking my own trail for miles.

Thinking about how much time it would take to hike out, and how deep and slidey (think avalanche) the snow was getting I decided to use a bit of extra caution and head back down to the truck. Living nearby it is easy to come back in a few weeks for this same climb. Having broke trail heading up the valley it was lots easier heading out.

On the way out I passed this rock that showed just how well the snowpack is doing in the high country. The trout will be happy this year as it melts out and finds its way to the Bitterroot river.