Lincoln Peak Summit and Critters

Glacier National Park, Montana

Woke up to rain falling at sunrise. Normally not a problem but I was sleeping under the stars with no tent. Slid under a tree and packed up quickly to keep my stuff dry. About the time I got everything put away it rained a little harder for a while then stopped as quickly as it started. a short time later the skies were back to blue with a few puffy clouds. From camp we went uphill and after reaching the saddle climbed Lincoln Peak. Not a hard peak but one with great views of lakes and 2 valleys.

On the way to Gunsight Pass we passed a wonderful lake and then started climbing back to about 7,000 feet in elevation. Along the climb we first saw a really big Grizzly. I can't get over his size and power as we watched him dig up the ground and eat. He was the first Griz of this trip, but would be far from the last one we would see.

A few 100 feet up the trail from where we were watching the bear I got to take some photos of this Marmot that seemed to be posing for me. While he was staying still in the open he was very watchful of our passing by. I think this is the best marmot picture I have ever taken.

Not all the views were of animals along this stretch, the surrounding landscape was exceptional, although with the big grizzly moving slowly towards the same pass we were, I really did keep a watchful eye on him the most.

Once over Gunsight Pass, the views changed some, there was a smaller griz feeding on the slope above us and the first Mountain Goat of the trip on the slope below. All the wildlife kept our eyes scanning all the terrain around us.

Of course the views stayed as wonderful as they had been. Gunsight Lake was a gem below us and along our route so we knew there was a long decent ahead of us to finish the day.

The last surprise was that the backcountry bridges had already been removed for winter. Made for some cold feet crossing the outlet of the lake, but the water wasn't to deep nor the rocks overly sharp. Matt made it look easy but my feet started to cramp from the cold water about the time I was finishing my crossing. No fish kills downstream so we must not have been to stinky yet.

Trail to Sperry Chalet

Glacier National Park, Montana

First day of fall so time for another trip to the Glacier backcountry. Matt from my Air Force past flew up to join me on this adventure, so off from Missoula to Glacier we went.  Got a great permit from the backcountry office, helped that there are so few folks out in the park right now. Fall colors and views started early as we climbed towards Sperry Chalet.

For one of the few times ever I got ahead of Matt on the trail and he was having to keep up with me. I liked this change as he is normally much faster than me on the trail.

Lots of weird mushrooms all along the trail. I liked looking at them all but this one was so big that I could have put a salad plate on top of it. Then 10 feet away was a group of really small mushrooms all fighting for the same inch of ground. Can't tell how different the sizes are from the pictures I took. I really need to learn more about these neat plants.

Just a little before sunset we passer the closed up and winterized Chalet complex that was built by the Great Northern Railroad to house early visitors to the park. Great old buildings that we walked around for a bit prior to getting the last 1/4 mile to out campsite. Would love to stay at the Chalet some day. I think Geri would like it. We ended the day looking at the stars and saw loots of shooting stars. A good start to the week.

Middle Kootenai Lake

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana

The last week of summer started today, although the morning temp was 37 when I started out, it warmed right up and was a beautiful cloud free day in the mountains, but colors are changing and fall is showing itself already.

Saw lots of wildlife throughout the day. Started with a group of wild turkeys right at the trailhead. Then it was deer, rabbits, squirrels and lots of different birds. One of the grouse exploded into flight right at my feet, got my heard rate up some.

Lots of mushrooms out, none that I could identify, many of them looked gooey.

Eventually I made it up to the lake, it was a bit further than I had figured. When i got back to the truck found that my exploration to the head of Kootenai Creek made for almost 22 miles today. Have to go back and camp up at the lake so I have time and energy to climb some of the unnamed high points around the valley. Besides the ridge is the state border with Idaho and I might find more of the border markers.

Sweeny Creek Ridge to Pyramid Buttes

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

One of the rare days when there wasn't a cloud in the sky to be seen anywhere across the horizon. So off to the high country I went. Lots of events this weekend celebrating 50 years of the Wilderness Act, so spending time in my backyard wilderness seemed a better way to celebrate that by going to a picnic. There are still have flowers blooming at 7500 feet, even a few beargrass blooms that surprised me. Insects were busy getting the last of the pollen while getting ready for winter.

My plan was to climb at least one of the Pyramid Buttes, but high winds on the ridge caused me to turn back a 1/4 mile from the summit. Better to be safe and climb again another day. Besides it gave me a chance to explore all 4 of the high country lakes in the upper reaches of the canyon. They all have crystal clear, cold water.

Even though we still have 2 weeks of summer left, Fall is coming quickly and some of the plants are showing the changing colors. While I enjoy the reds for the beauty, I know it is a warning that snow will soon be taking over again. In a few shaded north side places there is still snow left from last winter.

I did find this mushroom that was much bigger than my hand, at least 9 inches across and 6 inches high. If I knew what kind it was, and that it wasn't poisonous it would have made a meal all by itself. This was the biggest mushroom I have seen this year.

Bitterroot River Paddle

Chief Looking Glass to McKay Flats, Bitterroot River, Montana

Summer is quickly coming to an end across western Montana so I headed out for one last river adventure. About 18 miles of free flowing wild Montana water, or 6 1/2 hours of working my way down the river. I could see the Bass Creek crags from the river along with many other peaks I have climbed in the last year.

Used the inflatable 1 person boat I got last year. Sure is a fun little kayak/canoe cross. I like how easy it is to maneuver around in.

I know it is a tough way to spend my day, but I'm doing it for all those who can't. BTW, lots of fish in the river, and some of those trout are big.

Diablo Mountain Summit

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Clearwater National Forest, Idaho

In search of nearby mountains to summit I headed into the Idaho side of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to find new trailheads and places to go. Found lots of both but made a point of getting up to Diablo Mountain as well. I thought it had an abandoned fire lookout on top but when I got up there I found it has been repaired and is manned by trained volunteers. The current 5 day stretch was being staffed by a Missoula Fire Department Captain. It was fun talking with him.

The trail up was in good shape and gave wonderful views of the boggy, lush meadows below. The grass was waist high when I went down to it, and was such a wonderful green. Made the meadow stand out even more when I was walking past some of the fire damage from last years fire. The trail was along the line that held the fire.

I also saw lots of flowers, ate a few huckleberries, and chased butterflies around trying to get a picture of one for Caia to see. A great day in the mountains and another summit.

Skookum Butte Lookout and Summit

Lolo National Forest, Montana and Clearwater National Forest Idaho

A cool morning and it was time to find the old fire lookout that sits squarely on the summit of Skookum Butte. It also happens to straddle the Montana and Idaho state line and after getting on the trail I found markers showing it is a National Scenic Trail as well. The trip to the top starts in a wonderful meadow that looks like it should have an elk herd grazing in it. No elk present when I was there but there sure was lots of elk sign all around.

The trail was pretty steep after departing the meadow but it got me up to great views of the mountains in all directions as soon as I broke out of the trees. I can see why they put a fire lookout on top all those years ago. Would have been a wonderful place to work.

I am fascinated by the old lookouts around the mountaintops of Montana, and am starting to be able to tell what version they are. This one is a modified L-5 and looks as if it will be around for many years to come as long as fire doesn't get it at some time.

Wonderful huckleberries to be picked on the way down the mountain, now I have enough for a good batch of homemade jam with plenty left over for ice cream. Driving on forest service roads I come up on some weird signs from time to time. This one let me know I had crossed into Idaho and was now back in Montana. Got a kick out of seeing the sign on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.