Glacier National Parks Nyack Loop

Glacier National Park, Montana

Headed for a 4 day Glacier trip with the main goal of doing Goat surveys at 4 remote backcountry sites for the park biologists. Plan was for an 87 mile loop in the least visited area of the park. Turned out I never saw anyone else for the entire 4 days. A rare occurrence in glacier at the height of the season. Started on the  South Boundary trail. Lots and lots of lodgepole pines in this area.

Also saw lots of the fungus that reminds me of alien spaceships.

Ended up the first day doing a survey at the head of Harrison Lake near where I camped for the night.

In the morning I picked several handfuls of huckleberries to add to my granola for breakfast. Some of the biggest berries I have seen ever.

I wasn't the only one eating them...this reminder from a local bear let me know I wasn't as alone as I thought. He liked the berries as well.

As I headed up Coal Creek the trail became less distinct. Actually in places it was hard to tell that there was a trail there at all. My pace slowed from about 3 miles an hour to less than 1 an hour. In the worst stretch it took me almost 2 hours to cover 1 mile. That was pretty tough going.

Spent the night right where my second survey site was at. No goats to be seen at this spot but I did watch a big grizzly go up the ridge across from me. After he crossed into the next valley I made dinner and called it a day.

Day 3 started with more tough going but I did make it into Marthas Basin and up to both Beaver Woman and Buffalo Woman Lakes. These are some of my favorite lakes in the park because of the remoteness. This snow field looks small, but the trees at the lower right edge of it are 30 feet tall. Puts things in a bit more perspective.

The open space between the lakes had a great Beargrass Bloom going on. All the other locations of the bloom were well over. I was happy to see this happening.

Although it was slow going I did make it through most of the burn from 2 years ago before I camped for the night. I have never seen so much Fireweed in bloom in my life. It was like this for over 5 miles of travel.

The last day was pretty easy going compared to the last 3 days. Found where another bear was letting everyone know it was taken turf.

Finally got to where I could look down into Nyack creek and the many falls along its path. Had to cross it a few times before I got back to the south boundary trail and headed back to my car. Last day turned into a 27 mile day. Fun trip.

Sheep Mountain Summit

Rattlesnake Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

With a bit of a heat wave (for Montana at least) in place I got an early start on my way to summit Sheep Mountain. While the trailhead isn't the easiest to get to due to a lack of signs on the forest service roads I did expect to see someone else out on this close to Missoula mountain. The best trail sign is actually 1 1/2 miles up the trail.

It was hard to find a cloud in the sky most of the day. This was my view once the trees started thinning out.

Near the summit one side was mostly blooming purple...

...while around on the other side it was just about all white.

Being Montana and so close to town some interesting things get left at the summit. This however was a first for me.

The marker for the high point predates the USGS. I like this one. Its in good shape for having been there since 1934. Most of the ones around the area are dated in the early 60's.

The huckleberry crop is going to be great this year. I found a few ripe ones. Ate a handful and brought back enough to make the first batch of homemade huckleberry ice cream for this year.

Little Saint Joe Peak Summit

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Heat Wave in the valley so off to a close mountain to get to a cool place. It really was a wonderful morning, had the trailhead all to myself as I set off. I was surprised to be the only vehicle at the trailhead as it is only 30 miles south of Missoula. Starting off in a lodgepole pine forest there were lots of trees down from the beating they took in last falls windstorm.

Averaging 19% for the first 3 miles it is an aggressive climb in places but quickly the views open up. This was my view of the Bass creek valley as I worked my way up Little St Joe.

The beargrass is blooming here as well. Not anything like the massive bloom in Glacier but enough to keep me entertained looking at all of them.

Eventually I got to the white bark pines and alpine larch, then on to the remaining snow. That was a great place to stop and have a snack in a dry area right by the snow. Stayed comfortably cool there.

Then it was a bit more snow on the way up. This snowfield started thin at the lower edge but was was deep enough and big enough that you could ski it if you wanted to. Sure makes the sky look a deep blue in contrast with the snow.

After a bit I made it through the snow to the summit block that was all melted out. While it is only a bit over 9,000 feet in elevation it gives great views deep into the heart of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. I hung out trying to ID as many of the snow clad peaks as I could. I also realized I will have to wait about 2 more weeks before going back up Sky Pilot.

On the way down i transitioned over to a section of the mountain that a fire fighting aircraft crashed on back in 1991. While all the big stuff was cleared from the mountain there are still lots of small pieces if you look. The folks who fly those fire suppression missions sure put it all on the line.

Other flowers were in bloom higher on the peak, sure do like seeing them all this time of year.

I spent a lot of time exploring all over the mountain. It was nice to beat the heat up high and I really wasn't in a rush to get back down to it. In 7 hours on the mountain I never saw another person out on it. The parking area at the trailhead was empty except for my vehicle. Not a bad day at all!

Saint Mary Peak Summit

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

A really nice morning so change of plans and off to climb Saint Mary Peak and do some exploring of some small alpine lakes in it's shadow. Tough living when the sky is so blue and all the greens are showing so strongly.

Still a few snow fields along the way but they were all above 8,000 feet and none were too big to be an issue in crossing them or finding a way around. This one was as bad as it got anywhere on the mountain.

I was surprised to find that the fire tower at the summit was not opened up for the season yet. I know many have had their opening dates pushed back a week or two because of all the wet weather. This is one of the cooler looking towers in the Bitterroots. Really like the stone base it rests on.

Views to the west into the heart of the wilderness are just wonderful. Saw one of the lakes still had a lot of ice on it but most looked to be opening up nicely. Some clouds were trying to get into the really deep blue of the sky.

About a mile down from the summit I decided to do some cross country hiking and get so a string of small lakes that always intrigue me when I am up this way. The water was crystal clear, cold and tasted wonderful. Made a great lunch stop.

After playing by the lakes I headed back down the mountain to the trailhead. Because it was later on my way down there were many more people heading for the summit. I was glad I had got an early start and beat all the crowds. It wasn't a long day but it was a pretty one.