Logging Lake Trail to Grace Lake

Glacier National Park, Montana

Stopped at the Backcountry Office as soon as I got to Glacier looking for a snow free overnighter. Never having been all the way to the end of the Logging Lake trail I went with their suggestion, especially as it led me up into the North Fork area. The valley leading to Logging Lake had nice open views mixed with treed sections. The trail was in really good shape for this early in the season, I figure the trail crew has been here already.

A few muddy places further up the valley contained some interesting tracks, mostly deer and elk, and this black bear track from earlier in the day. I will take black bear tracks all day long and feel good about them.

I set up my camp at the Adair backcountry site. Sure was happy with my tent location. No rain fly as I didn't expect any inclement weather, only used the tent as I expected to have mosquitoes as camp guests. Once done with setting up camp then it was up to the end of the valley and Grace Lake. Without a pack you sure can cover some distance.

With my off trail adventuring up at the end of the valley I wound up with 18 miles for the day. Not bad as I started hiking at 1 PM. When I got back to my campsite it was getting on to dark and the views over the lake were nice. Ate my dinner with this view. Makes any food taste like a 5 star restaurant.

Grizzly Basin

Lolo National Forest, Swan Mountains, Montana

Started this morning with a plan to summit Pyramid Mountain, but due to visible steep snow pack high up on the mountain the plan shifted to a nearby trailhead and the quest to find my way into  Grizzly Basin. Why I would intentionally go search for an old unmaintained trail going to a place called Grizzly Basin is a whole different discussion. One of the ponds on the approach trail had lots of activity, but this one duck was cruising around keeping to itself just having a grand old time. He had some class.

Beautiful blue skies with a few fluffy clouds made the day really nice. Found a waterfall that was unexpected as I neared the basin, right below the snow line. Pretty sure I also found the back door to 3 different mountain summits that define the border of the Bob Marshal Wilderness. I will have to make another trip up there and spend the night so I can get to the summits. It would be to far for a long day trip for my old legs.

 The drive home was full of wildlife, from several deer on the side of the road to Eagles and lots of smaller birds, then finally a band of Bighorns that I thought were going to run out into the road. I was past them by the time I could get the camera out and get at least one picture. So I got their backsides while they walked along the road…but at least they were facing traffic! Not many folks have to worry about all the critters we have here as traffic issues. But thats why we live here, and it's great.

Mineral Peak Summit

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

A Sunny Spring Day unfolded this morning and all the local trails were calling. I had a plan to ride my mountain bike from the main Rattlesnake Trailhead to the trail junction for Mineral Peak. This would make it a day hike rather than an overnight trip as I saved myself 17 miles of hiking. Right after I took this photo I walked my bike into the woods and locked it to a tree. Couldn't see it from either trail but I locked it up anyway.

All the lower trails were snow free so shorts and trail runners were a good choice and I made real good time although it was pretty steep with lots of downed trees across the trail. Then after about 2.5 miles I got into the snow. Looked a lot like winter up the mountain and after the trail runners got wet they lost some of their appeal. They did grip a lot better than I expected. I climbed to the top of the old fire lookout at the summit and took a picture of the slope I had just climbed up, and had to go down! The snow is still deep enough that it has to be measured in feet.

Near the top of the mountain there was an outcrop of rock that was snow free and I was surprised to find lots of Lady Bugs all over the sunny side of the rocks. Easily had to be 20,000 in total. Not wanting to step on any I stayed off the rocks and took a picture of some near the edge.

After hanging out at the summit for a bit it was back down the mountain…but not exactly the same way I came up. Took a line about where I figured my bike was and off I went. Came out on the lower trail only a quarter of a mile from my bike. As I was riding back to my truck it started raining lightly. A long day but a good one.

Mount Sentinal North Summit

Missoula Trail System, Montana

Geri and I took off for a quick hike. She picked the Kim Williams Trail to the Hellgate Canyon Trail eventually coming down the front side of Mount Sentinal.  I went the extra 100 yards to the South Summit because I can't not hit the high points. The shades of green are nice after the long white winter.

The spring flowers are all blooming now and most are really pretty. Up on top the Arrow Leaf Balsam Roots are blanketing the ground making parts of the mountain look yellow.

Only one picture from near the summit looking towards Mount Jumbo and the Rattlesnake Wilderness. We did see the flock of sheep on the slopes of Jumbo, a sure sign that spring is here. Hope the slopes stay green for quite some time this year.

Blodgett Creek Fish and Hike

Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

The calendar says it is spring but temps near 80 felt like summer. With the local rivers at or near flood levels the first week of fishing season was in danger of being a being a washout. Under cloudless skies I headed back to Blodgett Creek to see if the fishing spots I had located last week were still looking good, besides it was a great day for a hike. What I found on the way up canyon was snow being turned into whitewater by the sun.

Getting to my fishing hole turned into an adventure. Blodgett Creek was flowing fast enough that it was out of its banks. Sometimes the trail looked like it was the creek while the normally tranquil creek was a whitewater torrent. I found my way around the flooded trail sections by scrambling over scree up the slope a ways.

Finally got a good picture of Horsehead Arch. Been trying for over a year for a clear enough day to get this photo. It is the only arch I know of in the Bitterroot Mountains. If there is another one I need to find it.

Local fishing guides always tell me that fishermen will not hike more than 2 miles in search of fish. I am willing to hike a lot further to find some, today I went more than 7 just to play with really small trout. Biggest trout today was 10 inches, and this little one was the smallest at a little over 6 inches…but it was the first of the season on a fly. The water was crystal clear so I was casting right to the fish and was able to watch them gulp the fly every time.

Blodgett Creek Trail

Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Looking for a trail that might be mostly snow free led me down the Bitterroot Valley to Blodgett Canyon. It was a good choice for the first day of temps in the 60's for a while. Lots of critters were out from ground squirrels, lots of different birds, butterflies and even a seldom seen snake.

Depending on where I was in the canyon different flowers were blooming. Lots of White Trillium in the lower canyon and a profusion of bright yellow Glacier Lillie's further up the canyon. Seeing the spring blooms let me know that the Mothers Day snow storm of 2 days ago is not slowing spring down.

Blodgett creek was flowing with more water than I have ever seen in it before. With lots of snow still in the higher reaches of the valley and all over the peaks I think high water flow will continue for a long time yet. In places where the creek widened, the slower water was so clear that I could see small 8 inch trout cruising about. I hope they will like my fly offering the next time I am up there.

Mount Fortuna

Mission trails Regional Park, San Diego County, California

Off the trail for a few days and I needed to get walking. Steve was kind enough to let me tag along on his normal hiking day so we got some great up and down hiking in. The fog limited the views as we started but it quickly burned off and the temps came up. Happily made it up both summits of Mount Fortuna and had a homegrown orange while sitting close to the summit. The orange was a great pick me up.
Was surprised at the bio diversity so close to San Diego. We saw a whitetail doe, several Hummingbirds, one of which was displaying mate attracting behavior that I had seen on a nature show just a month or so ago, and 2 non poisonous snakes, and birds, lots of birds with all kinds of pretty colors on them.

Steve took me by the old mission dam as we were wrapping up the hike and heading to his truck. I like seeing old structures that are still working as they should. I bet the old dam will still be there when many other San Diego landmarks are long gone.