Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Clearwater National Forest, Idaho
With the fire season we have had this summer I expected to be busy with 3 active fires near the lookout I was to man for the next 6 days. But on the hike in the first storm in months was starting up. Even had a dusting of snow from 6,500 feet on to the top. Temps dropped down to the mid 20's in the afternoon so things were looking up for fire suppression. Total precip for the system was .18 of an inch...first in over 60 days!
The next morning had some of the clearest visibility in a while with most of the smoke cleared out.
Some of the frozen precip stayed on trees near the lookout till late in the day. I was glad to have it around even though it was a reminder that the temp stayed in the 30's most of the day.
On Sunday the fires got a bit more active and smoke was spreading around again some of the drainage's again.
Made for a neat sunset...but after the sun went down the wind started blowing hard and two of the fires got active enough that I was watching trees go up like matches.
Monday morning was cold. Could feel another storm coming. Shortly after lunch it hit and by afternoon there was a winter look taking shape on the top of the mountain.
On Tuesday morning I had 6 inches of snow. Couldn't see a thing so it was all about staying inside the lookout and staying warm. Got a lot of reading done. Made pancakes for lunch. They are so good when there is snow just outside the windows.
Wednesday morning made for an interesting turn. It was the end of summer but with 9 inches of new snow overnight...the total on the ground was 17 inches. In places where it had drifted it was well over 2 feet deep. Made the morning commute to the outhouse more challenging. So did having to brush out all the snow prior to use. I sure would love to have a door on that thing!
The snow was coming down like it wanted to go straight into winter. Not much chance for the fires to spread any now.
Normally we wait for the next lookout to make it to the top before heading down the mountain. This time I was requested to start down when my relief started up so I could break trail across the upper mountain. It also allowed me to get off the mountain prior to it getting dark.
I'm sure that I witnessed the end of one of the worst fire seasons in decades. I also got a good look at winter because it will be here soon.
