Kootenai Valley

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

A really pretty day to end 2016. Brisk 10 degrees at the trailhead when I got started, don't think it ever went up from there all day. Lots of ice on the rocks on the side of the valley with deep snow in the bottom. Had to climb up a bit into the sun to get this photo.

At 5 miles into the canyon there is a nice bench that opens up some views. Snow was upper thigh deep on me at this point. Even though it was a bit past 2pm the sun was blocked by the ridges and temps stayed on the cooler side.

Finally made it to some great views of Bass Peak, and in this area were tracks from some wolves. Critter tracks were all that were in the snow this far back. All the human sign stopped before I got 3 miles up canyon. Always makes me feel that I am the only one to see such a sight, and I enjoy having this piece of the wilderness all to myself. Love to get up the peak in winter conditions but for now the snow is pretty avalanche prone. I do think I can get partway up safely staying in the treeline. Turned back shortly after taking this photo. When I got back to the trailhead the temp had dropped to 2 above. Fortunately I never felt cold all day.

Bass Creek Canyon Unexpected Snowstorm

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Winter weather was on its way, but wasn't supposed to arrive for another day. At least that was the local weather forecast when I left the house. Only 30 short minutes later and the weather folks were wrong again for it was snowing lightly at the trailhead. With 2 sets of footprints in the fresh snow I started out. For 2 1/2 miles it was easy sailing, then it started snowing harder. The young couple who belonged to the footprints were turning around and on their way back to the trailhead as I pushed up the valley. Now the fresh snow was closer to 4 inches deep. This is the log I normally use to cross the slower water. Wasn't going to risk a slip into the water today.

Views up canyon should have had lots of craggy ridges, today it was only an image of one.

Up a bit further and even the critter tracks were all gone. It was if I was the first to travel through this winter scape. As often as I am up this canyon, this was one of the funnest trips. If I didn't know where the trail was it would have been easy to lose the route.

Just past the 5 mile mark there is a great side crew where i often get a drink. Enough ice and snow almost covered it. Still got something to drink there. Sure was some brisk water!

Close to 7 miles up canyon the snow and wind really picked up. Powder was 8 to 9 inches deep. Winter was trying to make up for the late start. Hard for me to show how hard it was coming down...this is the best I can do.

When i turned around to head back to the trailhead I was surprised to find that in less than a half mile of walking my tracks were starting to fill in already. With 12+ inches expected tomorrow, all signs of my passing today will be gone. Next time I'm up this way it will be on snowshoes.