Bitterroot Route Exploration

Segway-Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Lots of unnamed high points all along the valleys of the Bitterroots. Today I did a recon to see if my thoughts for routes to some of them would work. Some yes, some no. But any time spent in the
mountains is good so the day is a win. After days of rain the sky was mostly clear and lots of yellow along the approach trail. Looks warm enough in the picture but it was just a little above freezing.

Lots and lots of different mushrooms showing themselves along the valley floor. I ran across this purple one. This is the only one I saw that was this color. I have no idea what kind it is.

The larch are all getting ready to drop their needles, so the patches of them on the hillside were spectacular. I like looking up into their golden glow.

Mostly I was just below the snow line. As I looked further back into the mountains I could see lots of snow of Bass Peak and some of the other higher summits. Winter is coming very quickly. That point on the left of this picture is one I want to get on top of, I got close earlier this summer but ran out of day to finish it.

Wagon Mountain Summit via Lewis and Clark's Route

Clearwater National Forest, Idaho and Lolo National Forest, Montana

Geri and I went to follow the Lewis and Clark route from Wagon Mountain to Lolo Pass on the Idaho-Montana border. With all the rain of the past week and overnight the forest was dripping wet. Every tree and bush we touched helped to soak through shoes and clothing. Geri was smart enough to wear her rain jacket so her upper body stayed dry. The water droplets on every needle of the pine trees did look like glistening stars, only wish I could have captured the beauty better with the camera.

In places the forest service has put up new markers along the trail route, Lewis and Clark Trail markers on one side and Nez Perce Nee-Me-Poo Trail markers on the opposite side of the trees. This section of the route does double duty.

Much of the route is overgrown and has plenty of downed trees, just as described in the Corps of Discoveries Journals. Makes one feel as if they are experiencing the trip with the explorers.

Geri took a few moments to enjoy the view looking to the south-west.

With the exception of the 2 lane highway and a small clearcut from logging in years gone by this is the same view that dashed the hopes of a quick water crossing to the Pacific side of the mountains. Pretty view though.

Near the top of Wagon Mountain many plants are showing red, giving their warning that winter is coming soon. I always think the colors are pretty, but know that they signal the end of summer.

Once back at the truck we had a great picnic lunch and even had time for a quick stop at Jacks Place for some adult beverage time. Good place to dry out some and enjoy the local mountains a bit longer.