Bear Creek

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana

Wondering about the feasibility of a winter summit attempt on Sky Pilot Peak and a few other nearby high points, I set out today for a recon of the trail that would get me back to the mountain. Warm weather of the past few days combined with below freezing overnights made for lots of ice on trail in the lower reaches of the canyon.

One of the little mountain streams that normally flows into Bear Creek was completely frozen over all the way down the mountain. This is about 1 1/2 miles from the trailhead.

Knowing I would need to cross to the other side of Bear Creek I kept looking for an ice bridge. Never found one that I was comfortable enough to cross. Some more snow and a cold spell should fix that problem though. Probably will have to pack in a pair of fishing waders to make sure I can get a good safe creek crossing.

Some of the trees in one section of the valley are just covered in moss, while pretty neat to see in summer; it is a real splash of green with the stark winter landscape. It made a great place to eat a snack.

The normal crossing point about 3 miles up the valley was not something to try today. While the picture doesn't show the ice very well, the log was covered. So having only gone a bit over 3 miles from the trailhead I decided to turn and head up the south side of the valley to get a peak at the mountains further back in the valley.

And after a bit of scrambling this was the view I got. I'm sure now that I can get to the peaks I want to and they should be climbable this winter. I have been up them in summer conditions so I am familiar with the routes. Snow and ice should actually make the summits easier but camp will be colder and the pace will be slower.

Northern Bitterroot Scramble

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana

Took a trip to check trail conditions and snowpack in the northern Bitterroot mountains. What I found was lots and lots of ice! I saw more icicles today than I saw all last year. I think the few days of warm we had last week allowed melting and then this last cold snap just froze it solid. In some places the ice was over 6 inches thick.

The creeks are all weird ice sculptures along the banks, with more ice bridges than I expected. Crossed the creek on ice in 3 places today. Most of the creek ice was over a foot thick, some of it was closer to 2 feet thick. Took lots of pictures of the strange ice flows as well, just can't post all of them here.

As I got higher in altitude the snow pack got thicker. Up above treelike the mountains are already in full winter coats. With so much ice to cross today I didn't want to get out onto any real steep exposed areas yet. Once things get a bit more stable I have already decided where my first winter summit will be.

Spring Gulch

Rattlesnake Recreation Area, Montana

No clouds, little wind and day 10 of morning temps in the single digits…a great day for a mountain adventure! Started at the main trailhead for the Rattlesnake and after about a 1/2 mile turned west into Spring Gulch. All the cold weather has turned waterways into sheets of ice. I did find a few open spots in the ice on Spring Creek, but the ice was 2 to 3 inches thick already and it may not melt again till spring. Winter has arrived, at least Jack Frost has.

When hiking in the shade it was pretty cold, but was much better when the gulch widened out and got some sun. The little snow we had last week is sticking around and morphing into some strange ice crystal creations on the brush.

On the back side of the loop I got into a snow free area and really could enjoy the blue sky and warming temps. It was 11 degrees when I was finished my hike and made it back to the truck, almost a heatwave.

Stormy Joe - Point 9003 Summit

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana

Warm temps for the middle of October, so off in search of mountains to climb. Earlier in the year I had to turn back on Stormy Joe because the snowpack was too deep and springtime avalanche danger was significant. This felt like the day to revisit this climb. Early on the sun was out and the trees with changing leaves on them still were radiant.

About 9 miles from the trailhead I climbed the saddle and then headed up the final 2,000 feet to the summit. Snow from the last little storm was still on part of the slope and made me watch my footing. I found a ridge line that was mostly snow free and made good time on the accent. Halfway up the climb I took a break and while looking down at Bass lake decided to spend the night on the south shoreline in the edge of the trees.

Then I went back to getting to the top of this climb. At the summit my GPS showed 9,001 feet which was close to what the maps show as the summit elevation. Felt as if I was just below the clouds with the Bitterroot range stretched out before me. Can sure tell winter is on its way. Made it down to the lake just in time to set camp and have dinner as it was getting dark. The clouds cleared early during the night and this morning things had froze over a bit.

Woke this morning to clear skies, and a wonderful sunrise on the climb from yesterday. While the summit photos would be spectacular today, I decided to not climb back up. I just took my time heading back down the valley.

All year I have been seeing mushrooms with bites taken out of them. This was the first time I was what was eating them. Was able to sit and watch this squirrel devour the whole mushroom prior to running off in search of more food. Sometimes it is more fun to watch the little critters than it is to see the big ones.

Firebrand Pass

Glacier National Park, Montana

Cloudy and a bit cold to start the day but clear enough for a two summit bid day. Got to the seldom used Lubec trailhead and started heading for Firebrand Pass. The fall colors along the trail were all fighting for attention and made the miles fly by as everywhere I looked was so colorful.

Clouds were on the move and the wind started getting fierce but the pass still looked good. Calf Robe Mountain had disappeared into the clouds but Red Crow Mountain was still looking good for a climb.

Then the weather moved in for good. This bird was trying to hang in against the wind, but the mountain behind it had completely disappeared, and then the rain started, and some of it was ice pellets.

Made it to the pass just because it was someplace to hike to. Any summits were out of the window for today. Looked around a little, but there was not much to see. The trail down was easy to follow but the scenery had completely changed so it was like hiking a different trail out rather than the way we had come. No mega fauna today, or at least none we could see although it was probably close by.

With no reason to camp out in the rain just to drive home in the AM, Matt and I headed back to Missoula and called it a good week up in the high country. Besides we both really needed a shower after 6 days.

Avalanche Lake Basin

Glacier National Park, Montana

Plan 1 for the day, go to Logan Pass and climb at least one of the surrounding Peaks. Unfortunately a storm front moved in while we on our way to Logan Pass. By the time we got to the trailhead it was blowing a cold rain, and visibility dropped to less than 100 feet. Not climbing on wet rock so looked for an alternate plan. Avalanche Lake it was.

Normally this is one of the busiest trails in the park, but today Matt and I had it to ourselves. I never thought I would see this trail empty. I like it this way!

We explored all the way around the lake, something I have never been able to do because I have never come except when the water is at it's highest. Found this neat little caterpillar, looks like he should be at a Punk Rock concert. As cold as it is he might need to be getting on with becoming a butterfly.

As always the lower parts of the creek were pretty and very colorful. It amazes me how just a short distance away I can be above tree line but it is so lush in this valley.

Headed to the east side of the park after we got done with this hike. We planned to camp in Two Medicine for the night and meet up with another Vet that Matt knows from California. Didn't get our summit but still had a great day in Glacier.

Gunsight Pass to Lake McDonald

Glacier National Park, Montana

Up before the sun so I could try and get high up on Gunsight Mountain for the sunrise. Should have just gone the last of the way to the summit but wasn't planning on the attempt and didn't have the right stuff with me. But the view was pretty good anyhow. The lake below was nice to watch as it changed with the suns movement higher in the sky.

Of course the surrounding ridges showed wonderful color as well. Next year I will have to plan 3 days just to explore all the ridges surrounding this wonderful valley. Lots of summits to be climbed up, and not all of them are named.

Dropped about 2,000 feet back down to lake Ellen Wilson before the sun could get to all of the lake. It looked like an edge pool where it dropped again towards Lincoln Lake.

Climbing out of the valley for the final pass of the day the sky didn't have a cloud that I could see. It was a magnificent hike across the tree line shoulders of these peaks.

Eventually the wide open alpine trail and views turned back to mature forest lands. No sweeping vistas here, but nice shade and lots of green.

Once at the trailhead we went to the Apgar Campground and got a spot for the night, then out of the park for dinner at a wonderful cafe that has been there for over 30 years. I always eat at it if I get a chance. Besides a burger and pie tastes so good after 4 days in the backcountry.