Spread Mountain and East Spread Mountain Summits

Lolo National Forest, Montana

Warm weather across western Montana this week for a change. I headed up to the high country where it turns out winter is still keeping its grasp on things. But I did start at a lower trailhead to try and keep out of the snow...and it worked for a bit. At least for a mile! I used the Monture Trailhead and almost right away turned onto a little used trail. This sign was on a tree right when I turned off the mainline trail.

Within a mile I was getting into some of the worst blow downs I have ever experienced, and that's where the snow started as well. Odds are this trail has not been maintained for quite some time. Saw lots of elk along the way and antlers are well into the growing season.

Then it was no trail but find your way through the snow. After several hours of slow going I made it to the high point of an unnamed peak that was between me and Spread Mountain. The ridge had quite a dramatic profile thanks to all the snow.

As I transitioned down and around another ridge towards Spread Mountain I got a look at the lake I had planned on spending the night at. I knew that option was out and I would have to find somewhere else to camp.

As I worked up to the summit of Spread Mountain the snow was getting softer and I found myself sinking in past my knees on every 3rd step, slowed me down and sure made me tired. Since I was wearing shorts it soaked my feet and kept my legs cool. Same thing happened on the way to the summit of East Spread Mountain. This doesn't look steep in the picture but it was 36% when I checked it.

50 feet of so from the summit of East Spread there was an outhouse. Only thing I can figure is that at one time there was a fire lookout on the summit and somehow the outhouse remained. It is the only structure up there.

Found what looked like a quick drop off the mountain and a way to get below snowline so I headed down the north side.  Had one "interesting" creek crossing on the way down.

After  a bit over 2 hours I wound up at Camp Lake. Mostly had snow around the edges but I found a dry spot for my bevy. This bird sat in a nearby tree and sang for a long time.

Day 2 started cold. Packed up and headed for Camp Pass and my planned 2 summit day. I saw another unnamed peak and it had a snow free summit area and I was sure it had good views of where I wanted to go today so up I went. Glad I did, because thunderstorms were building fast. When they are that big at 10 in the morning its time to go elsewhere. There was a grouse up at the summit in full mating dance. I have seen lots of grouse over the years but this was the first time I had ever seen this behavior. Poor guy is probably still the only grouse anywhere around but he is sure enthusiastic.

Bears are out...this was really fresh. Not the only scat I saw. All were below the snowline.

Close to where I parked I found this Fairy Slipper. One of my favorite flowers so a good end to 2 days in the hills.

Green and Red Mountain Summits

Bob Marshall Wilderness, Helena National Forest, Montana

Lots of blue overhead and warming temps led me to get up into the southern reaches of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Saw a few Sandhill Cranes on the way to the trailhead. One was nice enough to let me get close with a point and shoot camera.

I used the Alice Creek trailhead and went straight up to Lewis and Clark Pass and the Continental Divide Trail as it crosses the pass. This is the old Buffalo Road that the natives used for centuries to get to the plains for hunting. In a few places you can still see travois marks in the ground.

From the pass I went south and up Green Mountain. One side was all snow fields, but I did find a ridge that I could skirt up to the summit. Views over the plains were nice. I could see Fort Butte which was the first landmark Lewis recognized on the way home. Photos don't do the view justice.

The summit was completely snow free and made a wonderful place for me to take a break and have lunch. Also had some Pasque flowers blooming up top. Later on down low I found a meadow that was covered in hundreds of them all blooming at once. I liked that field a lot.

I followed the CDT for a while and noticed a cairn that was a bit different. First one I have ever seen that was built around a tree! Someone must have had a unique sense of humor to build that. Saw sign that a bear had been following the trail recently. Didn't see the bear but it left a big pile of calling cards for me to see.

On a ridge going up Red Mountain there were lots of flowers in every shade of purple. Although they are really small clumps of flowers, they really smell wonderful. Saw some bees checking them out along with me.

Of course Yoda went with me on this adventure, took his photo on each summit, but up on top of Red Mountain he climbed onto the summit marker.

I looked across the valley and noticed that the hills were keeping their eyes on me, or so it seemed. Maybe the snow on the ground made it more prominent, anyway I thought it was pretty neat.

From the time I turned off the main road till I got back on it 10 hours later I didn't see another person. But when I got back to my vehicle at the end of the day there was a Forest Service truck in the parking area along with my vehicle. Made things seem almost crowded. That's what I like about all the open space around western Montana, you really can go out in the woods and not see anyone else.

Mount Jumbo Summit

Mount Jumbo Recreation Area, Montana

After 2 days in a row of really nice weather I thought the wildflowers should be making a showing on Mount Jumbos grassy sides. The lower slopes were becoming covered in Arrowleaf Balsamroot...

...with some patches of Larkspur mixed in also. Kept stopping my upwards progress to look at all of them!

Working up a bit I came to the marker that many of the nearby mountains have showing where the ancient high water mark was for Glacial Lake Missoula. That would have been one big lake.

Lots of critters out on the mountain, saw the first bluebird of the year, some deer. Surprised a few elk as well. But before long I was at the summit with my hiking buddy Yoda. He wanted his picture taken up on top again.

Looking towards the north and the Rattlesnake Wilderness there is still lots of snow to melt away.

I took a different way down so I could try and get closer to the elk, but they ran off a ways whenever I got within 30 yards. I did run into a big bunch of these white flowers that I think are Prairie Star.

Mount Sentinel Summit

Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

Following a rain and snow filled week in western Montana I decided to stay a bit closer to the house for today's adventure. I also wanted to stay below the snow line and look to see what flowers were blooming. So Mount Sentinel via Hellcat Canyon was my choice. Doesn't look like much but there is a 2,000 foot gain to the top.

Not as many flowers blooming yet as I was expecting for this far into spring. But after a long winter each was nice to look at. A few hundred feet from the top in the last stand of pines I located some Pasque Flowers. One of my favorite flowers so I was happy to find them.

Yoda went with me again this week. He had to get his photo taken on the summit. I wish he would smile more in the pictures.

Looking north into the Rattlesnake Wilderness you can see the snow. Looks like the rivers will be flowing strong for most of the summer.

On the way down the south and west side of the mountain I came across lots of Shooting Stars blooming in a grass filled meadow. They were very spread out but there were lots of them.

Trapper Peak Summit

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Went with the local mountaineering club for a winter conditions climb of Trapper Peak, the highest point in the Bitterroot Mountains. After a week of rain the day was really nice, with the warmest temps of the year in the Bitterroot valley. Had to stop and park about 3 miles short of the normal approach trailhead due to snowdrifts across the one lane forest road. That added 1,200 vertical feet extra to the climb. So straight up we went to the first ridge where we could get views of the Boulder Creek Valley. Just after i took this it was time to go to snowshoes for the remainder of the trip up.

Working along the ridge I finally got a view of Trapper Peak. It isn't as impressive along the approach as the surrounding mountains, but it is big. From where I took this photo I still have 3,000 feet to gain and many miles to go. Have to work over to the right to gain the ridge. But at least the destination was in sight.

Tree line wasn't distinctive as on other summits, kind of just spread out then they were all gone at 9,000 feet or so. This is a tough slope to live on. Wind was really blowing from 8,000 feet on up to the summit, at least 20 mph with gusts at times much higher.

The last 1,000 feet is pretty steep. This was the only pic I got that really shows it. You can see how the wind is sculpting the snow.

Yoda is running around the mountains with me this year so he had to get his picture taken for the summit shot. The wind had blown the top 4 boulders free of snow. I', standing in snow with my snowshoes on while taking this. Had to have Yoda held so he wouldn't blow away.

Views were great this one is to the west...with a bit of Montana and Idaho stretching into the distance.

and here is one to the north. Trapper Creek is at the bottom of the valley. Lots of mountains around here and most of them are not named. Took several pics then headed down. They all came out really good.

I took a different line down the mountain so I could climb the other lower high point. On the way down it gave a pretty neat view of the summit. I like this picture. After I took it I put the camera away and kept on descending. I was able to play around on the way down as I was one of the first to make it to the summit from our group. Actually the 2 of us that got there first were about 30 mins ahead of the next group so once back in the trees and out of the wind we had a long lunch break.

A great long day in the mountains. In some ways it was easier to do this over snow as there was no scree to contend with. Besides snow covered mountains are always pretty to look at.

Bass Creek Valley Snowshoe

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana

Started off heading up from the normal Bass Creek trailhead. Found a way over the creek via an ice bridge and headed up the side not normally traveled. No human tracks on this side, a not a whole lot of animal tracks in the snow either.

Blue skies and wonderful views of the crags were mine to enjoy by myself. Didn't see another person till I was almost back at my vehicle. I have been up to the top of this unnamed peak in the summer. Bit beyond my skills for winter with all the ice around.

Over 100 feet of ice, and it won't last much longer. You can see 2 big cracks ion the sheet. It is thicker than it has been the last few years. Wouldn't want to be under it when it collapses!

On the way back to the trailhead I used a different route, lots of untracked snow way up the valley, and this is the smallest I have seen the creek.

Lolo Pass Winter Sports Area Snowshoe

Clearwater National Forest, Idaho

Pretty day for Geri and I to go for a snowshoe trip just on the Idaho side of the MT/ID border. Lots of snow. Started out going up a steep ridge and down the backside on the established winter trail.

Then it was time to blaze our own way so we could look over Glade Creek and the valley where Lewis and Clark camped when they crossed the Bitterroot Mountains.

The only tracks in the meadow were ones that we made. Snow was deep enough that without snowshoes I would sink up to my waist. Geri is looking at the way we have come...and the way back to the car. The far ridge in the background is the one we came over.

One last shot of the creek, from where I about slid down into it, the we headed back to complete a big loop and the end of todays adventure.