Big Creek Lake Area

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterrot National Forest, Montana.

With a warm morning, a great looking day with few clouds and a cold front on the way I started out from the Big Creek Trailhead with plans to try a new route up to Ranger Peak. So many shades of green and the water was crystal clear. An absolute joy to be out in the mountains.

This mushroom was right by the side of the trail and was a full 9 inches across. I have no idea what kind it is but if it was an edible one it would be a meal all by itself!

A bit over 9 miles in I came to the outlet of Big Creek Lake. Pretty steep waterfall just to the right of this photo so care is needed in crossing the outlet. It can be a bit slippery on the wet granite. I made it across with no problem but I was careful.

After skirting most of the way around the lake I bushwhacked through the brushed just started to find my way up. I was headed for the highpoint in this picture but wanted to come at it from the right side. The ridge is the Idaho/Montana border.

It kept getting steeper. Enough that I was having a hard time getting around these rock fins. Eventually it got so steep that a fall would have been fatal. I turned around then.

I found this gully to use on the way down. It was still slow going but was better than the rock had been.

When I got back towards the lake for the nightie was only a little bit till sunset. Lots of pretty flowers along the way. When I did pick out a flat spot the wind really started blowing with the passage of the cold front.  I was glad I wasn't up on the peaks then.

This was the view I had of the sunrise. I was surprised to find the clouds still around, but at least the wind had died down to a breeze again.

In the first light of morning the low clouds were still in place. I waited around by the lake for about an hour before I decided not to try a route up again. Steep wet granite is not fun to mess around on.

I decided to explore my way back to the trailhead. Ended up eating a lot of huckleberries as I went. Brought almost a gallon bag home with me as well.

Only a few tasty wild raspberries along the trail. I ate all the ripe ones I could find.

I have no idea what these plants sprouting from the soil are. I don't have any guidebooks that tell me what they could be. Maybe they are aliens invading the planet. Probably something related to a mushroom would be my guess.

Don't often see toads in this area. Found this big guy in the brush as I was looking at some flowers.

Last crossing of the creek as the trailhead is getting closer. I love this view back up the valley.