1st Day of Winter

Bitterroot Mountains, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

The first day of winter, but one of the warmest days in over 2 months. Unfortunately the road to the Bear Creek trailhead was so icy I turned around. Wasn't sure that I could get out if I got into the trailhead parking. Slope is too steep. The ice was between 1/2 and 1 inch thick. Made for some really slow going!

Came back up the valley where the ice at the Kootenai trailhead kept others away but was easy going with the gear I had along. Creek looks like winter with lots of ice. It was cold enough in the valley bottom that there was no melting going on, while in the main Bitterroot valley the temps hit 50 degrees.

About 2 miles up Kootenai Creek and up a ways on the south facing slope is a great place for spending the night. I often have a snack here or in todays case, lunch. It's flat, really protected by a big tree and the cliff face and almost never has any snow. Over time the rocks have been built up to make a great wind break as well. It was the only dry spot I had all day long. After my very leisurely lunch I kept going towards the Idaho line for a bit before heading back to the trailhead and home.

Rattlesnake Recreation Area

via Grant Creek and The Ravine Trail
Lolo National Forest, Montana

Only 2 to 3 inches of fresh snow as I started the trail, but mine were the first footprints in the fresh powder. Steady climbing quickly got me to deeper snow. Always fun to be the first through any snow.

I followed the Ravine trail for the first 2 miles, then I went off trail working my way to the ridgeline. Usually there is enough wind through this canyon that the trees are quickly blown free of the snow on the branches. Not today though so there were some interesting views as I went along.

At times it was a challenge to find my way through the interlaced branches. I followed a game trail for a bit and that helped but deer are lower than I am and fit better in places.

But I kept getting snow down my neck from every little branch I bumped. Normally I like the way the lichen is on the trees, but not so much today.

While near the top of one ridge I could look south towards the next one over. That was as clear a view as I got all day long. It looked like winter.

By the time I got back near the trailhead, others had been on the lower stretches of the trail and the snow was tracked up. Made for a cold but pretty day. Not a lot of color today but it was a fun trip and I always like exploring off trail. I also knew I had left some snacks in the car so the kept me moving once I got back on trail.

Lower Blodgett Canyon

Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

With a short window between storms I headed off towards the southern end of the Bitterroot range. Many of the roads leading to the trailheads become icy so I was hoping for good roads as well. Blodgett Canyon is always pretty so it became my destination. Moose and elk frequent the canyon and within the first 1/2 mile I found evidence of their being around. This sapling was just right for one of them to use for an antler rub.

Saw more beaver dams along the creek than ever before. They must be doing well. The slow water behind them will be good for fishing next summer!

Continuing up the valley I could see the storm ahead. At times visibility dropped to no more than 100 yards, then it would open up for a mile. I was defiantly hovering right along the lower edge of the snow and icy rain. Made for some really pretty photos.

When I got to the stock bridge a bit over 3 miles from the trailhead there was a clearing of the weather for about 20 minutes. Then it really started coming down. Had to put the camera away but I did get this pic of the bridge.

Went another mile or so up the canyon but then turned back. Lower down I went the better the weather got. By the time I got near the the tiger rock faces I got the camera back out. This pic of the Shoshone Spire is my favorite from the day.

I got one shot that has the 3 popular climbs in it. Not one person was doing any technical rock climbing today. In fact I only saw 4 other people the entire day.

The last bit of trail heading towards the Bitterroot Valley was the calmest portion of the day. I could still see weird weather behind me but it was nice getting back to the trailhead.

Kootenai Creek

Selway-Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Black Friday. Hike or shop...I went for a hike. No other cars at the trailhead when I arrived. It was 15 degrees and lightly snowing when I started on the trail. The first mile closely follows the creek and boy was it icy. While it is one of my favorite creeks to fish in...fishing wasn't happening today!

The further back into the mountains I went the faster the snow was building up. The strong winds from Wednesday had most everything blown clear, and added to the new trees blown down in the creek bottom. I climbed out onto the broader sides of unnamed mountains along the valley. What I found was snow coming down faster and faster. I decided when I got 5 miles in I would have to turn around. When I turned back tracks that were only 30 minutes old were filling in and disappearing.

With the weather being the way it was I kept the camera put away most of the time. I did notice that the ice was building in the creek from the bottom up in a lot of the areas. It has to be really cold for that to be happening and I had to get a picture of it.

When I was almost back to the trailhead I did run across 2 small groups coming out for a walk. While I'm sure they were only going a short way they were about to see some neat ice sculptures by mother nature in the creek.

Wagon Mountain Summit

Bitterroot Mountains Idaho and Montana

Wagon Mountain is the first named mountain on the Montana side of Lolo Pass. The trailhead is in Idaho but you quickly cross into Montana. This is one area that you just wouldn't know you had crossed the state line unless you had a GPS or really know the area.

Although I got an early start, the morning fog had lifted and left the willows along the creek covered in frost. Lots of contrasting colors made for a really pretty sight.

Just 2 to 3 inches of snow along the first part of the route. Fun to follow the Lewis and Clark trail. Glad to see the little trees mixed in with all the big ones. This part of the forest is really healthy.

After a shortcut across one of the valleys on the way I found myself in low brush that was all covered with fresh snow. It made for a pretty way up the hillside.

Really surprised when I saw the summit area on Wagon Mountain. No snow! The brown trees are the remains of a lightning caused small fire from this summer. The fire crews fast action kept it small.

This is the actual high spot on the mountain. The dead tree that was there for so many years finally fell over. After standing on the high point for a little bit I headed down the mountain on a cross country excursion. Followed moose tracks for a bit but never found the moose.

After only a few hours running around I made it back to the trailhead and was on my way home. The wind came up before I left and was the predecessor to a storm that was on its way.

Lappi Lake

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana

Clear sky, no wind and temps as warm as they will be till next spring, I thought a last effort to get up to Lappi lake and the unnamed peak behind it were in order. The approach trail up Bass Creek was 5 1/2 miles of bliss. More like a gold carpeted walkway with all the larch needles that have fallen. Except for about a dozen trees that have fallen across the trail from a windstorm last week the trail was in excellent shape.

At about 4 miles in the valley opens up and the first hints of snow up higher were visible. The mountains at the far end of the valley were completely snow covered. The lake I was headed for is just beyond the peak you can see in this photo.

Once I found a safe creek crossing I started up the steep slope up to the lake. The trail has been unmaintained for over 10 years and the amount of blow down and brush growth was pretty incredible. It took me just over 2 hours to go 1 1/2 miles. Unfortunately some of the upper sections were pretty icy. Made for some dicey footing but I did make it to Lappi Lake for a late lunch. There was thin ice all the way across the lake, a sure sign that winter is on its way.

I wanted to summit the little peak but conditions were to slippery as the slope steepened. The peak isn't going anywhere so I can come back for a visit. Trip down was a little quicker than the up, but not by much. Gravity wanted to help me along in the areas with slippery footing! With the storms that are due in this week this lake will be unsafe to get to till next summer. Glad I got one last visit in.

Diablo Mountain Fire Lookout

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Clearwater National Forest, Idaho

With the fire season we have had this summer I expected to be busy with 3 active fires near the lookout I was to man for the next 6 days. But on the hike in the first storm in months was starting up. Even had a dusting of snow from 6,500 feet on to the top. Temps dropped down to the mid 20's in the afternoon so things were looking up for fire suppression. Total precip for the system was .18 of an inch...first in over 60 days!

The next morning had some of the clearest visibility in a while with most of the smoke cleared out.

Some of the frozen precip stayed on trees near the lookout till late in the day. I was glad to have it around even though it was a reminder that the temp stayed in the 30's most of the day.

On Sunday the fires got a bit more active and smoke was spreading around again some of the drainage's again.

Made for a neat sunset...but after the sun went down the wind started blowing hard and two of the fires got active enough that I was watching trees go up like matches.

Monday morning was cold. Could feel another storm coming. Shortly after lunch it hit and by  afternoon there was a winter look taking shape on the top of the mountain.

On Tuesday morning I had 6 inches of snow. Couldn't see a thing so it was all about staying inside the lookout and staying warm. Got a lot of reading done. Made pancakes for lunch. They are so good when there is snow just outside the windows.

Wednesday morning made for an interesting turn. It was the end of summer but with 9 inches of new snow overnight...the total on the ground was 17 inches. In places where it had drifted it was well over 2 feet deep. Made the morning commute to the outhouse more challenging. So did having to brush out all the snow prior to use. I sure would love to have a door on that thing!

The snow was coming down like it wanted to go straight into winter. Not much chance for the fires to spread any now.

Normally we wait for the next lookout to make it to the top before heading down the mountain. This time I was requested to start down when my relief started up so I could break trail across the upper mountain. It also allowed me to get off the mountain prior to it getting dark.

I'm sure that I witnessed the end of one of the worst fire seasons in decades. I also got a good look at winter because it will be here soon.