Cha-paa-qn summit

Lolo National Forest, Montana

The first day of summer and almost cloudless blue sky. Time for a trip up one of the many summits on the Missoula skyline. I headed for a mountain with many names, most of them confusing because the state required the elimination of squaw from any place names in the state because it is a derogatory name. The mountain was known as Sleeping Woman for a time before the Forest Service and the Salish tribe settled on Cha-paa-qn. It means treeless or shining peak in the native Salish language.

The approach trail is in good shape, although it climbs quickly through the trees. It is well maintained and makes a good approach trail. I enjoy the walk through the trees although I have heard others complain because there is no view.

Anywhere from 2 1/2 to 3 miles in you have to get off the trail and just go up. Just as I left the trail this doe walked up to me. Then she just kept on feeding along.

This was the way up I chose. I followed this rock pile because I heard pika warning coming from it. I only had one fleeting glimpse of one pika, but there were lots of warning calls coming from different areas in the rocks.

These are the last trees on the way to the summit. Then it's a rock scramble to the top.

Views from up on top are wonderful. Many different ranges depending on which way you look. The snow line is climbing up the peaks quickly. Looks like the Bitterroot range has the most snow left.

I found the USGS survey marker from 1935. I was surprised it hasn't been changed out yet with the new name for the peak.

I came down the east ridge to take advantage of the snow that was left. A little standup foot skiing made part of the trip go quickly and was fun to boot. Looking back up towards the summit the sky was a deep blue. Angle of the sun must have been just right to make such a contrast with the snow and rock. Eventually I did have to come down the rocks to the tree line. I mostly shortcutted through the forest to get back to the trailhead. It is always more interesting, and I never know what I will see.

Mount Jumbo Summit

Missoula Conservation Lands, Montana

Mount Jumbo is seen from almost every location in is Missoula and is said to resemble an elephant that is reclining. The first mile or so of the trail is a staple in family hikes as it climbs steeply up to the "L" on the north side of Hellgate Canyon. I go up it a few times each year, but today the flowers were in bloom. Not just any flowers but some of my favorites, and a few I don't know the names of.

I always get a kick out of these purple Elkhorn, or stag horn as I have also heard them called. Their real name is Clarkia and they are named for Clark from the Lewis and Clark expedition. I was surprised to see several of them in a section near the summit ridge of the mountain.

Views from the side looking north to the Rattlesnake were pretty good. I stayed on this part of the mountain for a bit enjoying the flowers and the views of the nearby mountains.

The big find for me was hundreds of blooming Bitterroots. I have never seen any in bloom here before today. They really are small delicate flowers. I must have taken over 100 pictures of them. About 30 or so came out good. I just happen to like this one.

 I did see some wildlife as well. Two deer ran past me near the summit. And a huge ant hill. Lots and lots of ants playing around their home.

Peterson Lake

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

After 3 days of no clouds and hot temps, the weather forecaster on the morning news called for a few clouds but no thunderstorms before 5 pm. She was wrong, but more on that in a bit. Near the trailhead I came across a flock of wild turkeys, then only a few hundred feet up the trail I came across this pretty big rabbit. He kept on eye on me as I went by but didn't run. That was pretty unusual for this area.

This trail is also the approach for Sweeny Peak. I was thinking of going up to the top as there was a pretty sky and the snow on the mountains on the other side of the valley wasn't bad. It was nice to see Little St. Joe and all of the connecting ridge up to the summit of St. Joseph. That is an all day climb I have done twice in the past year and will likely do again in another month or so.

First I had to get to the climbers trail cutoff for my side of the valley. Along the way I found a few flowers, mostly arnica and a few shooting stars. Finally got one to focus so here it is.

About the time I got to the cutoff to go up towards the summit I heard the first rumbles of thunder. Not good. I waited for awhile to see what the storm would do, and it seemed to pass by. Then I got to a point on the ridge that all I could see were storm clouds heading my way, and they seemed to be building as they came. Back to the trail and on towards Peterson Lake it was for me. The seasonal creeks were pretty full with snow melt. I had to cross several but this one got me wet. It was ice cold water.

About a mile from the lake you get your first good view of it. The mountain behind the lake is unnamed and is the only mountain along this valley I have left to climb. My plan was to have lunch at the lake when I got there, and try and take some pictures, but the rain came and it was hard enough and steady enough that I put the camera in my pack to keep it dry and headed back out. I do like the change in smells of the forest when it first rains.

After almost an hour the rain let up and I got the camera back out. Found this small Whitebark Pine with very purple small cones. It takes 2 years for the cones on these trees to mature, but I have never seen such color on the cones before. Some tree research is on my reading list for tonite.

A recent storm took the top off this Ponderosa Pine and left it on the trail as something to find a way around. I couldn't get my arms around the broke off part.

Lower on the mountain the flowers were blooming in condensed areas. These Lupine were all standing tall. Turned out to be a short day in the hills, only a bit over 10 miles in all. I will get back into this valley again soon. It is pretty close to the house.

Green Mountain Summit (3 other unnamed high points as well)

Rogers Pass Area, Rocky Mountain Front, Helena National Forest, Montana

The plan for the day was to follow the actual continental divide from Rogers Pass over to Lewis and Clark Pass. While there is a trail for some of the way, mostly the trail was "near the divide". So I was "near" the trail most of the day. Right near Rogers Pass is the spot that has the coldest recorded temperature in the continental United States at 70 degrees below zero back in January of 1954. Fortunately it was much warmer in the area today. As I started up the first rather steep rise lots of flowers were in bloom, and in them were my first Pasque flowers of the year. Some were just opening up like this one.

Others were fully opened and hanging out with their friends. But all were pretty. I found them all along the route, even on the summit of Green Mountain.

Lots of Prairie Smoke along the ridge, just a few had already turned to the seed heads. These were the first seed heads this year. I like the attitude they have.

Nothing prepared me for what I found along the first ridge and down to Cadotte Pass. There was a riot of color predominantly blues of alpine Forget-Me-Not's with others mixed in. The smell was unexpected, but with so many flowers all blooming at once there was a strong sweet smell blowing in the gentle breeze.

As I started the climb up from Cadotts Pass up to the second unnamed highpoint (lots of those here in Montana) I kept passing through sections that were flower covered. The sky was so clear and blue at times it was continuous between flowers and sky.

A few cairns were along the ridge that were markers for the CDT route. I was the remains of two wooden posts and their signs, they just don't last in the winter winds along the divide.

The east side of the mountains always warms up and melts out faster than the rest of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, but there was still some snow holding on. The views were great and when not in the forested sections I could see a long way.

I ran into a stretch that was a bit moister and grassy that had lots of Shooting Stars and a few Glacier Lily.

I searched around a bit and finally located the small spring on the side of Green Mountain. Cold, clear water comes out of the ground and runs for about 200 yards then disappears again. Lots of critter tracks in the area, including some bear tracks. But no bear was there for me to see today. It was a great place for a rest and to eat my second lunch at.

Also near the spring were these Ballhead Waterleaf. I see the plants quite a bit but don't see them in bloom much.

Just feet from the summit of Green Mountain there were patches of flowers trying to eek out a living in the short growing season available to them. I marvel at the tenacity they have to survive here.

I did drop down to Lewis and Clark Pass (yes they crossed here on their way home) but then decided that I was getting tired and the day late. So I took the trail back to the truck so I could get to the small town of Lincoln and the hamburger and blackberry shake that were waiting for me at the cafe.