Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana
A nice short day hike with a steady climb that only gains a bit over 3,000 feet in close to 4 miles. At a mile and a half or so there is a short spur to a spring. This time of year the water is slow and best left for the dogs who will be with their owners on the way up the trail. You could filter the water but I am so spoiled by all the clear water sources around the local mountains that I don't carry a filter most of the time.
Much of the trail looks like this. Whitebark Pines for the most part, showing the stress of the beetles and other diseases. Still a beautiful trail with the views and colors of the trees. Even a lot of the dead trees look pretty cool. Wouldn't notice the transition from multi-use forest to wilderness if it wasn't for the sign telling me when i was in the wilderness area.
Out of the white bark pines and the fire lookout is clearly seen. It is manned by volunteers who are up for 2 weeks at a time.Like many of the volunteer towers in the area, most are retired USFS who just want to keep on doing something in the wilds.
As the trail climbs over the last 1/4 mile it is on a rocky bare shoulder of the peak. The wind was blowing strong along this section.
Once up on top I located the benchmark. Noticed it is off by about 20 feet in the new official elevation.
Views were a bit limited by the smoke from the 4 fires to the west. The closer in crags are still pretty clear but looking into Idaho gets really fuzzy.
Had a snack and started down. While I had the route up all to myself, I met at least a dozen while on my way back to the trailhead. A few of whom I doubt ever made it to the top.
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