Palisade Mountain Summit

Sapphire Mountains, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Found directions to a new trailhead in the Bitterroot Valley, but this time it is on the east side of the valley in the Sapphire Mountains. Although early in the year for a hike in trail runners up to a summit, I gave it a shot anyhow. Once at the Willow Creek trailhead (really a wide spot in the road) I started uphill on the trail. The information board at the trailhead had nothing on it. That's unusual but does show how little this site is used. Low in the valley along the creek the flowers were getting into their glory. Saw more Fairy Slipper Orchids in 100 yards than I have ever seen before.

Once past the Orchids it was time for the Trillium's. Lots of them in all of there color variations from white to purple. While I was taking this picture a mature Bald Eagle lifted off from a nearby tree a turned lazy circles in the sky. I wonder if it has a nest in the area.

After about the mile and a half I started getting into snow. Patches at first then full coverage. It was still firm enough early in the day that I didn't have problems staying on top of it.

Along the creek the melt had made some clearing. But it was a wet soggy mess. Lots of water was moving downhill. Spring melt is on.

The valley made a turn and widened out a little. My reward was some small south facing snow free areas. This one was where a squirrel has been enjoying its meals as there was quite a pile of pine cone remains. A good spot for me to have lunch as well. I contemplated how much further I was going to go because the snow was getting slushy and the postholing was starting.

When I broke through and there was running water underneath I knew things were getting rougher.

Finding a series of openings that looked like meadows I stayed with the uphill...

 ...and finally ran out of snow at the summit block. Scree and talus replaced the snow.

Spent a little time at the summit thawing out my feet and having a bit more to eat. Heard then saw a Pika scooting around in the rocks. First one I have seen this year. I always like these critters.

Found the benchmark. Wasn't sure there was one so it was a nice surprise. There are also foundation remnants of an old fire lookout on top as well. Then it was time to go down to the trailhead.

Because of the snow once off the summit block I created a slightly shorter way back. Don't think it would have worked as well if the snow was all gone. Had to be careful because there was a lot of breaking through the snow. I can tell you with absolute certainty much of the snowpack was thigh to waist deep. I saw no one on the trail and in the snow covered sections mine were the only human tracks to be found.