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.