Bass Creek Crags

Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Forecast was for the first really sunny day in a while. The avalanche danger was still high but way better than it has been in a few weeks. Bass Creek is so close to the house it is a quick trail to start from. Only car in the lot when I started. Wanted to get up the valley to where it starts to widen out and head up the south side to try and get above the trees. This was my early view across the valley and it was my favorite photo for the day as well.

After going as high as I felt it was safe as a solo outing I dropped down near the creek. Found a spot where most of the snow on the trees had been blown off or melted. Love how the unexpected green shows up when it has been all rock, ice and snow all morning.

After a while I went back down the valley and was by the big ice run. Almost 300 vertical feet of ice. Sky came out really blue on the pic, must have been the angle of the photo.

This was what I had been climbing up earlier in the morning. Sure is a lot of pretty stuff in the Bitterroots. Can't wait to go back.

Bass Creek

Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Headed into the mountains with two significant weather warnings ongoing for the day. A high wind warning for gusts 40 to 50 miles per hour, and the highest ever avalanche warning. Snow was still coming down in the mountains, while it was mixed snow and rain in the valley. I picked Bass Creek because the only avalanche concern is about 7 miles up canyon, and I wasn't going that far, and it's pretty sheltered from most of the wind in the lower canyon. When I reached one of my favorite summertime fishing spots 2 miles up the route I could see the storm ahead. Was a pretty spot and a good chance for a snack.

Continuing up canyon and around the shoulder of the first mountain I ran smack into the wind and blowing snow. This picture was the only one I took from that point up till well after I turned around. No way to keep the blowing snow off the lens. Besides it was a really strong, cold wind.

Less than a mile from the trailhead on my return I took the camera out again. I liked this spot with the water flowing and the sheet of ice. Just can"t capture the real beauty of it with my photo skills.

When I made it back to the trailhead it was a bit before my fingers thawed all the way out. I should have taken windproof gloves along. Won"t make that mistake again this winter!