Glacier National Parks Nyack Loop

Glacier National Park, Montana

Headed for a 4 day Glacier trip with the main goal of doing Goat surveys at 4 remote backcountry sites for the park biologists. Plan was for an 87 mile loop in the least visited area of the park. Turned out I never saw anyone else for the entire 4 days. A rare occurrence in glacier at the height of the season. Started on the  South Boundary trail. Lots and lots of lodgepole pines in this area.

Also saw lots of the fungus that reminds me of alien spaceships.

Ended up the first day doing a survey at the head of Harrison Lake near where I camped for the night.

In the morning I picked several handfuls of huckleberries to add to my granola for breakfast. Some of the biggest berries I have seen ever.

I wasn't the only one eating them...this reminder from a local bear let me know I wasn't as alone as I thought. He liked the berries as well.

As I headed up Coal Creek the trail became less distinct. Actually in places it was hard to tell that there was a trail there at all. My pace slowed from about 3 miles an hour to less than 1 an hour. In the worst stretch it took me almost 2 hours to cover 1 mile. That was pretty tough going.

Spent the night right where my second survey site was at. No goats to be seen at this spot but I did watch a big grizzly go up the ridge across from me. After he crossed into the next valley I made dinner and called it a day.

Day 3 started with more tough going but I did make it into Marthas Basin and up to both Beaver Woman and Buffalo Woman Lakes. These are some of my favorite lakes in the park because of the remoteness. This snow field looks small, but the trees at the lower right edge of it are 30 feet tall. Puts things in a bit more perspective.

The open space between the lakes had a great Beargrass Bloom going on. All the other locations of the bloom were well over. I was happy to see this happening.

Although it was slow going I did make it through most of the burn from 2 years ago before I camped for the night. I have never seen so much Fireweed in bloom in my life. It was like this for over 5 miles of travel.

The last day was pretty easy going compared to the last 3 days. Found where another bear was letting everyone know it was taken turf.

Finally got to where I could look down into Nyack creek and the many falls along its path. Had to cross it a few times before I got back to the south boundary trail and headed back to my car. Last day turned into a 27 mile day. Fun trip.

Sheep Mountain Summit

Rattlesnake Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest, Montana

With a bit of a heat wave (for Montana at least) in place I got an early start on my way to summit Sheep Mountain. While the trailhead isn't the easiest to get to due to a lack of signs on the forest service roads I did expect to see someone else out on this close to Missoula mountain. The best trail sign is actually 1 1/2 miles up the trail.

It was hard to find a cloud in the sky most of the day. This was my view once the trees started thinning out.

Near the summit one side was mostly blooming purple...

...while around on the other side it was just about all white.

Being Montana and so close to town some interesting things get left at the summit. This however was a first for me.

The marker for the high point predates the USGS. I like this one. Its in good shape for having been there since 1934. Most of the ones around the area are dated in the early 60's.

The huckleberry crop is going to be great this year. I found a few ripe ones. Ate a handful and brought back enough to make the first batch of homemade huckleberry ice cream for this year.

Little Saint Joe Peak Summit

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Heat Wave in the valley so off to a close mountain to get to a cool place. It really was a wonderful morning, had the trailhead all to myself as I set off. I was surprised to be the only vehicle at the trailhead as it is only 30 miles south of Missoula. Starting off in a lodgepole pine forest there were lots of trees down from the beating they took in last falls windstorm.

Averaging 19% for the first 3 miles it is an aggressive climb in places but quickly the views open up. This was my view of the Bass creek valley as I worked my way up Little St Joe.

The beargrass is blooming here as well. Not anything like the massive bloom in Glacier but enough to keep me entertained looking at all of them.

Eventually I got to the white bark pines and alpine larch, then on to the remaining snow. That was a great place to stop and have a snack in a dry area right by the snow. Stayed comfortably cool there.

Then it was a bit more snow on the way up. This snowfield started thin at the lower edge but was was deep enough and big enough that you could ski it if you wanted to. Sure makes the sky look a deep blue in contrast with the snow.

After a bit I made it through the snow to the summit block that was all melted out. While it is only a bit over 9,000 feet in elevation it gives great views deep into the heart of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. I hung out trying to ID as many of the snow clad peaks as I could. I also realized I will have to wait about 2 more weeks before going back up Sky Pilot.

On the way down i transitioned over to a section of the mountain that a fire fighting aircraft crashed on back in 1991. While all the big stuff was cleared from the mountain there are still lots of small pieces if you look. The folks who fly those fire suppression missions sure put it all on the line.

Other flowers were in bloom higher on the peak, sure do like seeing them all this time of year.

I spent a lot of time exploring all over the mountain. It was nice to beat the heat up high and I really wasn't in a rush to get back down to it. In 7 hours on the mountain I never saw another person out on it. The parking area at the trailhead was empty except for my vehicle. Not a bad day at all!

Saint Mary Peak Summit

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

A really nice morning so change of plans and off to climb Saint Mary Peak and do some exploring of some small alpine lakes in it's shadow. Tough living when the sky is so blue and all the greens are showing so strongly.

Still a few snow fields along the way but they were all above 8,000 feet and none were too big to be an issue in crossing them or finding a way around. This one was as bad as it got anywhere on the mountain.

I was surprised to find that the fire tower at the summit was not opened up for the season yet. I know many have had their opening dates pushed back a week or two because of all the wet weather. This is one of the cooler looking towers in the Bitterroots. Really like the stone base it rests on.

Views to the west into the heart of the wilderness are just wonderful. Saw one of the lakes still had a lot of ice on it but most looked to be opening up nicely. Some clouds were trying to get into the really deep blue of the sky.

About a mile down from the summit I decided to do some cross country hiking and get so a string of small lakes that always intrigue me when I am up this way. The water was crystal clear, cold and tasted wonderful. Made a great lunch stop.

After playing by the lakes I headed back down the mountain to the trailhead. Because it was later on my way down there were many more people heading for the summit. I was glad I had got an early start and beat all the crowds. It wasn't a long day but it was a pretty one.

Yellowstone Trip

Yellowstone National Park, Montana and Wyoming

Quick trip to take the grand kids to see some of the sights in Yellowstone. Started with Old Faithful and the walk around the geyser basin. Old Faithful did its thing but just wasn't as impressive as I had made it out to be. They did like the other parts of the basin though. And the ice cream.

On the way to the cabin we were staying in there was a big traffic jam. A herd of bison had decided to  hang out near the road. Caia took a good picture of them.

Fire and s'mores were a great hit. Highlight of the day. I have to do better on day 2.

We spent the morning of day 2 hiking and exploring the canyon and falls. Morning wildlife was a chipmunk by our route. Falls were impressive and they really liked the views of the canyon. I'm getting better.

After a hike around the Artist Paintpot area of the park we went to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. They liked seeing the bears...

...and this little rodent.

More fire, s'mores and the evening was a good end to a good day. Then it was the last day. Went to the Norris Geyser basin where someone had lost a hat. Caia made out like it was her hat. Cute photo!

Next stop was the Mammoth area with its unique look.

An elk just decided to take a siesta right in the middle of the lawn by the main headquarters. Can sure tell this cow elk has never been hunted.

Last stop was at the big stone gate at the north entrance. They had more fun climbing on the rock walls around the main entrance than should be allowed. Then it was time to drive home. Good short trip. I hope it wet their appetite for more trips in the years to come.

Scalplock Mountain Summit

Glacier National Park, Montana.

Pretty morning after the clouds of last night. Thought the snow would be less on Scalplock Mountain so off I went. Beargrass was really showing itself in a mass bloom and it continued most all the way to tree line.

The water crossing at Ole creek was high. If the swinging bridge wasn't in I would have had to turn around. Lots of snow melting, with lots more to come in the next week or two of warm weather. Can't tell from the photo but the water was more than waist deep. Had to wait for the bridge to stop swinging to be able to take this picture.

Most of the miles going up are in the trees so only fleeting views of the surrounding mountains. Once they do start to show the views are really impressive. This view is looking into the heart of Glaciers south end.

The final few hundred feet with the Fire Lookout Tower in view are pretty bare. One thing about this tower...it has the most solar panels on it of any fire tower I have seen.

Found the USGS summit marker this time. Didn't find it the last time I was up there.

Yoda has been my travel buddy all week, so I finally took his picture on the railing of the tower. He travels a lot without any effort. Must be using a Jedi mind trick on me!

After enjoying an early lunch with the great views, it was down the mountain and back to my vehicle.

Had planned on staying another night in West Glacier but by the time I got there all the campgrounds in the area were full. Called it a trip and headed home instead.

Firebrand Pass, Elk Calf and Flat Top Mountain Summits

Glacier National Park, Badger-Two Medicine Proposed Wilderness Area, Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana

Broke camp first thing in the morning and left Two Medicine. On the way out of Glacier I stopped to see Running Eagle Falls. Such a short hike from the road to the falls, it is always worth it. So much water was coming over the top of the falls you can hardly see the water coming from the middle. Still pretty no matter what the water conditions are.

I headed for the Lubec Lake trailhead and the trail up to a Goat Survey site below Firebrand Pass. As I got closer to the pass, the clouds built up and a bit of rain fell. After an hour spent looking for Mountain Goats I packed my stuff up and headed back down to the trailhead.

While there was a shortage of big animals, lots of these ground squirrels were about. This one stayed pretty close. If he was looking for a snack from me he was disappointed.

Lots of little plants growing. This is a tough place to eek out an existence. I like how the plants grow right on top of each other even though there is plenty of space to spread out.

I decided to go from Marias Pass and head for Elk Calf and Flat Top Mountains in the Badger-Two Medicine area. The area I was in is still recovering from the Skyland fire from many years ago. Had to get around lots of trees to get up to the ridge. This photo shows the relatively clear scramble I had along the ridge.

And there was some talus towards the summit. Saw some pika and heard more calls from them as I climbed through the area.

I didn't expect a marker on top of Elk Calf Mountain, but I found one. At least it had half of the name on it. They all seem to be done differently. Half the fun in finding them is to see what they will say.

Lots of flowers blooming in the open space left by the fire.

I thought it only fitting that there was Prairie Smoke growing in the old burn.

After Elk Calf I went the 2+ miles up and down along the ridge to get to the summit of Flat Top Mountain. It really did have a large flat summit area. After checking all the rocks on top I determined this was the highest and therefor the true summit of the mountain.

From the summit it was a quick cross country down to where I had left my vehicle. After all day running around I was looking forward to some dinner.