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.
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