tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72284860978425494352024-03-05T00:01:51.762-07:00The Boughner BlogIn a constant quest for adventure on the trails and in the mountains of MontanaForrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-88626757574596841312020-07-20T22:12:00.001-06:002020-07-20T22:12:38.554-06:00Sunset Peak - Montana Mountain Project<div class="separator"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof9lNIgFYGpGLs9s1t62iyXGJF4lgh_Om8Ul-CtJGm-fBEckjoKFfFZAYfjUtESVY5aJSZIQKjG2rN7xY1-MrmAhjx9Yu0Q-Zm9y014B9o4Q1Z6c0OzqOdkruKzygFotvb1TiYSfmyp4T/s5285/20200705_094139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset Peak - Snowcrest Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="5285" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof9lNIgFYGpGLs9s1t62iyXGJF4lgh_Om8Ul-CtJGm-fBEckjoKFfFZAYfjUtESVY5aJSZIQKjG2rN7xY1-MrmAhjx9Yu0Q-Zm9y014B9o4Q1Z6c0OzqOdkruKzygFotvb1TiYSfmyp4T/w400-h229/20200705_094139.jpg" title="Snowcrest Trail" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">The Snowcrest Trail with Sunset Peak on the Horizon</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Deep in the heart of nowhere Southwest Montana lies an incredible mountain range, the Snowcrests. Few people outside of hunters are familiar with this range, but, as a friend commented on Facebook, "in October and November it feels like half the hunters in the Western U.S. are there." <div><br /></div><div>The Snowcrests are wild. With few people frequenting the area for a majority of the year and a Wilderness Study Area and Wildlife Management Area protecting much of the Eastern flank of the mountains, the prolific wildlife is understandable. On the long drive from Dillon up the East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek we witnessed this first hand. As we consulted the map we happened to glance up and saw a moose just lollygagging along the sage brush embankment above the creek. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgzv4JaadGVc4Q23ZuM8x413K4wS3XC4Xqz4Wg2Rzxa__gw7G13vOgbJkEYp6kIxqMfy5AAXJM99zjk9SphsyDphW9ZYIRwPTWnAVbbbmIQHcT5qdusOTdAVi4YuxhRWMuT2xkWXbvDLl/s4032/20200703_124640%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset Peak - Snowcrest Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgzv4JaadGVc4Q23ZuM8x413K4wS3XC4Xqz4Wg2Rzxa__gw7G13vOgbJkEYp6kIxqMfy5AAXJM99zjk9SphsyDphW9ZYIRwPTWnAVbbbmIQHcT5qdusOTdAVi4YuxhRWMuT2xkWXbvDLl/w400-h225/20200703_124640%25280%2529.jpg" title="East Fork of Blacktail Deer Cree" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>To get to the campground at the end of the road we drove through the East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek Wilderness Study area. This small WSA is divided by the road, but still covers an incredibly diverse ecosystem. The western edge includes broad sage brush filled plateaus with the namesake creek and its surrounding ecosystem providing a deep green scar on the light blue-green valley floor. Then it transitions upward through lodgepole pine forests to an alpine, above treeline setting with all the gorgeous little flowers and mountain goats to accompany it. The WSA ends at the pinnacle of the Snowcrest Range, Sunset Peak, at 10,581'. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ever since reading <a href="http://mathgeekadventures.blogspot.com/2016/07/snowcrest-range-sunset-and-olson-peaks.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">The Adventures of a Math Geek's</a> blogpost on the Snowcrest Range I have really wanted to run the loop he described around the headwaters of the East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek. I had never been there, but from topo maps and satellite images I imagined it to be an incredible day in the mountains. After nearly five years we were making it happen.</div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjiQp1yMnd-ocmV7YxSPpaGkNuWEHM7s657HW-gKhb6zDJI-COpm5KTMWoCstej4b3Ki9p-kRJtY1NV0MDQ6EFhn2dHPc8Qr-61hPCWHH5rIh1BFbEBlzz-gcwCUtgyWqBA2fG0BBTkqD/s4032/20200705_073207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset Peak - Snowcrest Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjiQp1yMnd-ocmV7YxSPpaGkNuWEHM7s657HW-gKhb6zDJI-COpm5KTMWoCstej4b3Ki9p-kRJtY1NV0MDQ6EFhn2dHPc8Qr-61hPCWHH5rIh1BFbEBlzz-gcwCUtgyWqBA2fG0BBTkqD/w400-h225/20200705_073207.jpg" title="Flowers on Antone Peak" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">Flowers on Antone Peak</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>But not without hiccups. Our weekend plans for three days of adventure evolved in the face of lightning and ultimately I ended up running the loop solo the last day of the long weekend. I was able to add on Sunset Peak to cap off a great day while Sara slept in and entertained the dogs (don't worry, Sara and Leah ran the loop the day before and had a wonderful run out together while I wandered with the canines).</div><div><br /></div><div>My morning began with a pleasant jaunt up East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek (I keep saying the whole name of the creek because I like how very specific the name is and it seems wrong to shorten such a specifically named thing). The creek meanders heavily in the basin below the high peaks and the slow moving water makes for great willow habitat. Habitat which also hides all sorts of moose, bears, and other things you don't want to surprise on a sunrise run. The early light was wonderful and the valley was quiet with the exception of my "HEEEYYOOO"'s. I really did not want to surprise a bear. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5nA0irHvwR9rivvGdzWPwGHY9PGnaBBhzN8Yv7UgLFHTqaip_XwwtBTaLatFa7QIJRWFamKq9VyBtqdCbxXTfcESZygFwyAswBdBHhlFW9gzXmanBxfmX_b31ME6s7YrJcFJOhP3c3S9/s4032/20200705_083231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset Peak - Snowcrest Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5nA0irHvwR9rivvGdzWPwGHY9PGnaBBhzN8Yv7UgLFHTqaip_XwwtBTaLatFa7QIJRWFamKq9VyBtqdCbxXTfcESZygFwyAswBdBHhlFW9gzXmanBxfmX_b31ME6s7YrJcFJOhP3c3S9/w400-h225/20200705_083231.jpg" title="Snowcrest Trail Ridgeline" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">The wide, rolling ridgeline playground</font></td></tr></tbody></table>After a mile or so I turned south, crossed the creek and began up Rough Creek. My volume and frequency of bear calls increased as the drainage narrowed, but again the creek was gorgeous and the trail was surprisingly good. As I feared (but really hoped for) I caught sight of a bear as I rounded a corner. The bear was startled by the combination of seeing me and probably hearing my ever present "Hey Bear" at the same time. It whirled and ran up trail about the same time I saw it. Creepily I saw no prints or disturbance in the trail, despite it sprinting up the path. This bear sighting marked the end of my 2020 bare-bear curse: I hadn't seen a bear to this point, which was becoming rather frustrating.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a few miles I reached Antone Pass and began the steep climb up to the summit of Antone Peak. Antone marks the start of the ridgeline portion of this loop if you go counter-clockwise. The Spring flowers on the slopes up to the summit were incredible and only got better throughout the day. On Antone though they were extra special in the morning light, and because I didn't realize how ubiquitous they were yet. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREV-AmhOieJ-SWBL_VqsIIMfe4fGpjOsrEdk556SisfiUn6q7IUuA5AzknVbd1sLrLEfWPVgy9z6T4A0M7QRG5gX616w4ZtvMiTaMLQ50beQAm6kP9pQgGVBNSz-bNkF264fsaiwJOlxS/s4032/20200705_090823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset Peak - Snowcrest Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREV-AmhOieJ-SWBL_VqsIIMfe4fGpjOsrEdk556SisfiUn6q7IUuA5AzknVbd1sLrLEfWPVgy9z6T4A0M7QRG5gX616w4ZtvMiTaMLQ50beQAm6kP9pQgGVBNSz-bNkF264fsaiwJOlxS/w400-h225/20200705_090823.jpg" title="Snowcrest Trail Junction" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">A suggested trail junction - no path to be found</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The next 10-12 miles were simply spectacular. Wide open ridges, views for days, green, flowers, mountains, gah! I was feeling pretty good and moving well, although moving well up there isn't particularly fast. The "trail", when there is one, is a slightly more beat down section of flowers and grass following large cairns spaced every quarter to half mile. Officially this trail is part of the Snowcrest Trail No. 4. It's roughly a 40 mile trail covering most of the Snowcrests from North to South and spends a lot of time above treeline. Now I desperately want to go back and run, hike, or backpack the entirety of this route. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually I made my way to Stonehouse Mountain then Honeymoon Park, which smelled very strongly of fleeing elk herd. Aside from the glimpse of spinning bear, I didn't see anything all day, but smelled a variety of hiding ungulates.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuhrvwcDqrn267ZPFpwJynNW8HN4ThNR2cuKBQJEW73sfaLQq1V8KLz4pHZz7aaBEyhRO-MbF0hE7-u9aVOiGv_W2VfGMm2NC-44ckw57bYdhdWX_xR_btnz6jkkPYgNQIq1sHSNyhsu6/s5827/20200705_112116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset Peak - Snowcrest Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2745" data-original-width="5827" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuhrvwcDqrn267ZPFpwJynNW8HN4ThNR2cuKBQJEW73sfaLQq1V8KLz4pHZz7aaBEyhRO-MbF0hE7-u9aVOiGv_W2VfGMm2NC-44ckw57bYdhdWX_xR_btnz6jkkPYgNQIq1sHSNyhsu6/w400-h189/20200705_112116.jpg" title="View from the Saddle" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">View from the saddle between Sunset Peak and Olson Peak</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>After I dropped to Honeymoon Pass I left the loop. Instead of returning to camp via the East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek, I climbed up to the saddle between Olson and Sunset Peaks. The route is pretty open with only a few spots treed enough for me to feel the need for a "Hey Bear." I was also aided by an old mining road cut that added a little distance, but saved my calves for the steep climb ahead. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is scant mining history in the Snowcrest Range, a rarity for Montana, but one of the spots few mined is right where I was headed. The road cut led to common mining detritus and what appeared to be a filled in shaft. An educated guess puts it as a phosphate prospect, since that's what was mined on the adjacent Sawtooth and Hogback Mountains, but I can't say that for sure. Currently 85% of mined phosphate in the world is used in fertilizers. Maybe the phosphate in the soil is why the lower down slopes had the healthiest looking forget-me-nots that I have ever seen. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA8ZUbt3O2xkLjSTNXbZXcj3d917ACCASK5H50EAwzXVUiur_Ek2EdhiveRus8dGdXpYBgnV9w5l8opjJBx7or0I7_mSg-7f2-nJaCnBNRUTOvmMIu68nb2u926Bj1jt4b2ZU5GnEL50d/s2592/20200705_114506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset Peak - Snowcrest Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA8ZUbt3O2xkLjSTNXbZXcj3d917ACCASK5H50EAwzXVUiur_Ek2EdhiveRus8dGdXpYBgnV9w5l8opjJBx7or0I7_mSg-7f2-nJaCnBNRUTOvmMIu68nb2u926Bj1jt4b2ZU5GnEL50d/w400-h300/20200705_114506.jpg" title="Summit of Sunset Peak" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">On the summit of Sunset Peak-High point in the Snowcrest Range</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>After pausing at the saddle to restore my calorie and fortitude reserves, I began the last push to the summit of Sunset Mountain. To make climbs mentally manageable I often break them down into segments I run all the time. A 700' climb becomes an 'M' (the vertical gain to the 'M' in Missoula), 1,500' becomes a Jumbo (Mount Jumbo in Missoula), and 2,000' becomes a Sentinel (again, a typical run in Missoula). Looking towards the top of Sunset Peak from the saddle seemed daunting with large rocks jumbled together and looking jagged and steep. But I thought of it as "I only have an 'M' to go, and it suddenly seemed doable. By this point I was not moving as easily as I had been early in the day, but by keeping steps short and momentum up one 'M' quickly became half an 'M' and then I was on top. </div><div><br /></div><div>The view was incredible. At this point in the Montana Mountain Project I have explored many of the ranges I can see in Western Montana. Identifying all the ranges and peaks in a viewshed is always a pleasure now since each identification brings with it a memory from that particular trip. On a clear day it's even better. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05mjfPFFzbgM6y2wOhiTZWwltKKcWj7l8NS6731h0TV5c1YCpB5maba4ieG_LsQEaVHlv2AZk5eCxATKF8gTanBDNWJ6tKCssVjFX1zUsYm0gv6ks0RFuexOyLsy8HI8k9gDOM-6VPriQ/s4032/20200705_121344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset Peak - Snowcrest Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05mjfPFFzbgM6y2wOhiTZWwltKKcWj7l8NS6731h0TV5c1YCpB5maba4ieG_LsQEaVHlv2AZk5eCxATKF8gTanBDNWJ6tKCssVjFX1zUsYm0gv6ks0RFuexOyLsy8HI8k9gDOM-6VPriQ/w225-h400/20200705_121344.jpg" title="Sunset Peak Ridgeline" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">The ridge back to camp</font><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>My original plan was to descend the East slope (I'm not going to call it a shoulder or a ridge; it was basically the raised hump between two chutes), down to the East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek trail. It was steep, but open and would be a quick descent. But because of the shape of the creek in relation to the ridge (picture a bow: the ridge is the straight line of the string, where the creek is the bow portion of the bow) every quarter mile I went down the ridge cut at least twice that distance off the trail. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I scampered (don't let scamper connote any sort of gracefulness here) from rock to rock down the ridge. At every clear line down off the ridge I paused and then told myself the next spot would be better. The problem was I did this until there was no next clear line and I ended up bushwhacking down a very steep, rocky, pokey-bush slope until I hit the trail. I don't imagine any human had done that route in maybe forever. </div><div><br /></div><div>After a quick couple miles back down the East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek I was back in camp. This loop was everything I could have hoped for as part of the Montana Mountain Project. I was able to piece together a large enough portion of the range to experience a wide variety of what it had to offer, and it makes me want to go back. There is the Snowcrest Trail that needs doing, and Hogback Mountain, and Snowcrest Mountain, and that lake basin that looked inviting....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-41538358538331550192020-06-17T17:14:00.001-06:002020-06-17T18:36:39.642-06:00Poorman Mountain - Montana Mountain Project<div class="separator"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdgox_R0YAR5yfQieoM8qqCJGMvNeOUSIvUEpwX_mLkGq-g8G7m5h-MJT9BLIZOVp3Taib871bIsUEqlH39Ts05KODOW7ZWPwMacwiWXo_CKSEOIe7knqrFawcdYK1gpfoKgGZ4Z-yAGd/s4032/20200613_110827.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Poorman Mountain - Galton Range Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdgox_R0YAR5yfQieoM8qqCJGMvNeOUSIvUEpwX_mLkGq-g8G7m5h-MJT9BLIZOVp3Taib871bIsUEqlH39Ts05KODOW7ZWPwMacwiWXo_CKSEOIe7knqrFawcdYK1gpfoKgGZ4Z-yAGd/w500-h281/20200613_110827.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhaenna watching Sara and Zeno head towards Poorman Mountain<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>West of Glacier National Park and a within windy spitting distance of the Canadian border is Poorman Mountain, the high point in the Galton Range. Many consider the Galton Range to be part of the larger Whitefish Range, and I can see the case for that since only a small pass at the junction of Grave Creek and Weasel Creek seem to divide the two ranges. For the Montana Mountain Project, however, I am using the list of ranges found on the Montana.gov website and there the Galton Range is listed as its own entry. Additionally, when considering the mountains north of the border, it's easy to see that the Galtons should be their own range because the Wigwam River, which begins at the base of Poorman Mountain, clearly divides the two ranges. <div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkc32wFmPJS-SwTPMwsg90407Gsm1mvb4XKpvFDGivFrgqbXCZ5FTmoPDF0BKeRzVSAXCo8HgPrEu0kl-Mj1nhEbO8tuiJsQp2r9JPhF0_Nng3zpvZhhvCAW64LANyoyR2VZxn8eMB2zOx/s4032/20200613_094721.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Poorman Mountain - Galton Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkc32wFmPJS-SwTPMwsg90407Gsm1mvb4XKpvFDGivFrgqbXCZ5FTmoPDF0BKeRzVSAXCo8HgPrEu0kl-Mj1nhEbO8tuiJsQp2r9JPhF0_Nng3zpvZhhvCAW64LANyoyR2VZxn8eMB2zOx/w500-h281/20200613_094721.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bridge reminding us there is a trail somewhere under the snow<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>The night before we ascended Poorman Mountain, we camped just below the confluence of the short Wolverine and Bluebird Creeks. These two creeks are the initial tributaries of the Wigwam River, which provided a gurgling soundtrack throughout the night. Initially I thought the Wigwam looked like a peaceful, snowmelt river, but after Rhaenna (our younger dog) got stuck in the river during a midnight exploration I was reminded that peaceful rivers often hide immense power, even only a few miles from their beginning. Rhaenna was okay, but shivered the rest of the night despite cuddling in a small tent with two people and a second dog. A loud thunderstorm probably didn't help her shaking either. </div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESTfFktoSMh3X_D8c3ACz-S35eYATSUmjzjCvS2vQGOvsK_gyAYKpvgaWQHf_Ib5YbyUtmxmACa8bsEg2CrcbudOWsrIzhXdiYsJb0sXSgBDpOTGPPohKlBqXymISOBBPC7AapHof_-QV/s4032/20200613_113252.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Poorman Mountain - Galton Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESTfFktoSMh3X_D8c3ACz-S35eYATSUmjzjCvS2vQGOvsK_gyAYKpvgaWQHf_Ib5YbyUtmxmACa8bsEg2CrcbudOWsrIzhXdiYsJb0sXSgBDpOTGPPohKlBqXymISOBBPC7AapHof_-QV/w400-h225/20200613_113252.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara and Zeno near the summit of Poorman Mountain<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Much of the Montana portion of the Galton Range is encompassed by the Ten Lakes Scenic Area. Established as a Scenic Area in 1964, and additionally as a Wilderness Study Area in 1977, the Galtons have been able to re-establish a wild feel despite having lower slopes mined and logged in the first half of the 20th century. Only the occasional old road bed zig-zags through the higher slopes, and, as is the case near Poorman Mountain, the roads are merely used to access some of the 90 miles of trail maintained in Ten Lakes.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the morning we drove up the highest of these roads until snow blocked our way. Fortunately we only had an extra half mile to the trail head so the blockage did not add on too much bonus mileage. The snow across the road was a harbinger of the rest of the day. Drifts visible on the trail immediately after the trail sign hinted at miles of exhausting postholing and cold feet. Fortunately though, the snow was firm and we stayed on top of the spotty drifts with ease. After a mile or so of mostly exposed trail, the dirt gave way to predominately snow. </div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdV36x5xrfvrmSNn79wva2gYSjTYE4dWH8DgN8XgmVZKEsk0KBpxdUOQ5n0ZvxgxHonwgn8MA4Zwt7Gq1QAK-AAaGlyMyKdJXcBQJf7YjfF3OMZBPtyc30BcoymQiFPTPDt_3-vQIPyTq/s4032/20200613_114143.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Poorman Mountain - Galton Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdV36x5xrfvrmSNn79wva2gYSjTYE4dWH8DgN8XgmVZKEsk0KBpxdUOQ5n0ZvxgxHonwgn8MA4Zwt7Gq1QAK-AAaGlyMyKdJXcBQJf7YjfF3OMZBPtyc30BcoymQiFPTPDt_3-vQIPyTq/w400-h225/20200613_114143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the top of Poorman Mountain<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Between two and three miles from the trailhead (it's hard to give exact mileage when we weren't positive we were above trail the whole time) we came across Wolverine Cabin next to a very frozen Wolverine Lake. The structure is an old Border Patrol cabin and is still maintained for visitors to the backcountry. Freshly chopped wood hinted at recent use, and I could see it being quite cozy in the middle of a snowstorm. Mid-summer though I think I would prefer to camp outside under the twinkle of stars and buzz of mosquitos.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wolverine Lake revealed the glacial history of the range. Exposed cliffs carved by glacial sandpaper flanked the western shore and were a reminder that the peaks of Glacier National Park were still visible through gaps in the trees. It made me wonder why the glaciers in the National Park survived (at least this long) while those in the Galton and Whitefish ranges have not despite only being a few miles removed. </div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-gcO3KEJK9L3DYwreYIxdJMj7gwgt_tP2MO4R6kKr9NKGB0LZ-avroyAkTmNmwg6dOefAd__TGSxZFzSdE_uFO4GNNxu9b_gwJpegK0DwirN01w6k8CY9aiI1c8odYqmo6R7LcKU8vHU/s4032/20200613_123230.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Poorman Mountain - Galton Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-gcO3KEJK9L3DYwreYIxdJMj7gwgt_tP2MO4R6kKr9NKGB0LZ-avroyAkTmNmwg6dOefAd__TGSxZFzSdE_uFO4GNNxu9b_gwJpegK0DwirN01w6k8CY9aiI1c8odYqmo6R7LcKU8vHU/w400-h225/20200613_123230.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down the East Ridge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>From the lakes we worked our way around an exposed scree field up to the pass between Green Mountain and Point 7886. In another month we would follow the trail along a similar path, but this day we were entirely on snow. The walking was still pretty easy since we could stay on top, and definitely easier than traversing the scree, but working north along the west side of Point 7886 I was wishing for the trail. </div><div>While we had spectacular views down to Lake Kookanusa, and a clean line of sight to the top of Poorman Mountain, the traverse was steep in the snow and we lost more elevation than necessary trying to stay on less steep terrain. Eventually though we gained the saddle and from there it was an easy ridge walk to the summit.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxilq9-3Wq8ZHh3z2CqEJAP-KkEMwBLRrY5QSu3fDNNjUc73Hzz6DrUrelU0TtVt4Vayf-c9H2FQRV0HQxXUut55dUk38xYSi4AZXfCZnDz1jiRet_W0XwUoaTSPUEq7ZNcu5WYBbvvRPc/s4032/20200613_132107.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="Poorman Mountain - Galton Range - Montana Mountain Project" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxilq9-3Wq8ZHh3z2CqEJAP-KkEMwBLRrY5QSu3fDNNjUc73Hzz6DrUrelU0TtVt4Vayf-c9H2FQRV0HQxXUut55dUk38xYSi4AZXfCZnDz1jiRet_W0XwUoaTSPUEq7ZNcu5WYBbvvRPc/w225-h400/20200613_132107.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beargrass Descent<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>From the top we had excellent views of Glacier National Park, Waterton, and even the mountains around Fernie, BC. The Purcells were off in the distance, Lake Kookanusa (named for Kootenai, Canada, and USA - all three lands the lake covers), and the Tobacco Plains near Eureka lay before us. The Cabinet range we only caught glimpses of in between a thick cloud bank that reminded us that our time in the sun was likely limited. </div><div><br /></div><div>After an enjoyable lunch in the lee of the wind, we began down the east ridge of Poorman Mountain hoping to make a loop by jumping on trail on an exposed south facing slope. Unfortunately the trail was still under snow so we ended up committing to a steep off-trail descent through beargrass and downfall to meet up with our tracks through Wolverine Basin. We used Kahtoola microspikes all day in the snow, but I think they were the most helpful in the beargrass! </div><div>The Galton Range is spectacular in the snow, but for ease of travel I highly recommend waiting until July for your visit. We are excited to go back and cruise the trails that we weren't able to enjoy. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-24868306758051788632020-06-10T15:07:00.001-06:002020-06-10T15:07:37.814-06:00Down through the Flowers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtXwCIlSEfsvtvgFDwAUT-tg6-oLOsdBdUFUW4fjgzI-3TP2V-3FVGZi1O4x_d4dvY7HwOr-QXzqsC-h9RolwKClGgdN-22nAg5BwbWAoZMmtupcE5wANASF1NdwwY7AjCQNR8Uf37Paf/s1600/20200610_062151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtXwCIlSEfsvtvgFDwAUT-tg6-oLOsdBdUFUW4fjgzI-3TP2V-3FVGZi1O4x_d4dvY7HwOr-QXzqsC-h9RolwKClGgdN-22nAg5BwbWAoZMmtupcE5wANASF1NdwwY7AjCQNR8Uf37Paf/s640/20200610_062151.jpg" title="trail running through spring flowers" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesse running through a field of flowers</td></tr>
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I spent the early morning hours with Jesse Carnes trail running down the sides of University Mountain and Mount Sentinel through this year's epic arrow-leaf balsam root bloom. Check out the video below:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mihqwJCGaFk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mihqwJCGaFk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Happy trails,<br />
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ForrestForrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-624391762252226032020-06-08T17:59:00.000-06:002020-06-08T20:04:18.329-06:00Ellis Peak - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJiBufPBTktBBobruiYUoYEbAzj9J-RBOaoPnTjD2U4RQ-zga87UEcbyQCUCAdf0Vdy0J6T_VUyDavaj7meRAAOhixwzmGh0xmbBKumttjFdTtIjMkSu_Vas-iIhX1ILKnITcIC2rVnL3/s1600/20200606_103638.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJiBufPBTktBBobruiYUoYEbAzj9J-RBOaoPnTjD2U4RQ-zga87UEcbyQCUCAdf0Vdy0J6T_VUyDavaj7meRAAOhixwzmGh0xmbBKumttjFdTtIjMkSu_Vas-iIhX1ILKnITcIC2rVnL3/s320/20200606_103638.jpg" title="Ellis Peak, highpoint of the Tendoy Mountains, Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellis Peak, the top of the Tendoy Mountains</td></tr>
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In the midst of massive valleys rich in early Montana Territory history, the Tendoy Mountains rise up as a bit of an anomaly. They aren't as tall as the nearby <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2018/01/eighteenmile-peak-montana-mountain.html">Beaverhead Mountains</a> or as rugged as the <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/tweedy-peak-montana-mountain-project.html">East Pioneers</a>. But they are taller than simply "hills". Sage brush and other high desert vegetation reaches to the upper slopes above 9,000', but is interspersed with high alpine flowers.<br />
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At 9,669' Ellis Peak is the high point in the Tendoy Range. It sits on the Northeast edge of the short mountain chain where it is truncated by Medicine Lodge Creek. Ellis is topped by a tower to provide modern amenities to the surrounding ranch lands, except cell service. This corner of Montana, west of I-15, is glorious in its absence of cell coverage.<br />
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The Tendoys have an extensive network of two track roads spiderwebbing the interior, but I opted for the direct approach from Medicine Lodge Road. With the storm cycle raging during the weekend of my visit I wanted to capitalize on the small weather window I had.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h9WIYde0vD51dTaR2If4Wi1bpBwjZNZF-Zq5XXDMn2gIvQt-Xn8s_iffqCfmo76YQTTTjiqfxcQswT2dkKZ44z-hl1XH-tKNFVOVIPNcVeRjg6XvTEwrVv_KJGqS82Qk6CEfxu_IdTkg/s1600/20200606_091152.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h9WIYde0vD51dTaR2If4Wi1bpBwjZNZF-Zq5XXDMn2gIvQt-Xn8s_iffqCfmo76YQTTTjiqfxcQswT2dkKZ44z-hl1XH-tKNFVOVIPNcVeRjg6XvTEwrVv_KJGqS82Qk6CEfxu_IdTkg/s320/20200606_091152.jpg" title="Ellis Peak, highpoint of the Tendoy Mountains, Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two track heading up the mountain.</td></tr>
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The "trail" to the top is a two-track mining road that has been repurposed to access the electronic site. You can't explore the Tendoys without frequently stumbling over the mining history of the area. Between the Tendoys and the East Pioneers lies the town of Bannack, the first territorial capital of Montana. Bannack began in 1862 after gold was discovered on Grasshopper Creek and quickly grew to a population of 10,000. Despite serving as the territorial capital in 1864, much of the town was not constructed for long term living. The nature of the gold deposit, limited to the rich crust that forms between limestone and granite rock beds, played out rather quickly. Placer miners tried to quickly hit it big and move on to the next strike. The sheriff, Henry Plummer, also allegedly lead a group of highwayman that routinely robbed stages all the way down to Salt Lake City. Although a group of vigilantes quickly took care of him and his crew, the lawlessness (and a rich gold strike in Alder Gulch) didn't increase Bannack's chance of survival as a thriving metropolis.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveCeLmlL-Tu9QLpCErK9SUCPTnprG1B8aVWjS4RrUUtFZM_7fh8kPxhc-koGgL6gwRBpaFyt_zaDnvZGY8T00ImGgAHUP4qIIW6CLVKCveMGDEKJv9qiYh6Rlcy5j6TzLiRHRcQknWtLX/s1600/20200606_095830.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveCeLmlL-Tu9QLpCErK9SUCPTnprG1B8aVWjS4RrUUtFZM_7fh8kPxhc-koGgL6gwRBpaFyt_zaDnvZGY8T00ImGgAHUP4qIIW6CLVKCveMGDEKJv9qiYh6Rlcy5j6TzLiRHRcQknWtLX/s320/20200606_095830.jpg" title="Ellis Peak, highpoint of the Tendoy Mountains, Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical high alpine flowers hiding in the sage brush</td></tr>
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Driving in on Medicine Lodge road meant that I followed the stage route, and before that the travel route of many Native American tribes, that brought supplies north from Salt Lake City. Today the valley is still lightly populated with sprawling ranches and cows dotting the landscape.<br />
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I parked 1/4 mile up the two track road on BLM land. Depending on your vehicle you could drive all the way to the summit (it's <i>very</i> steep), but I wanted to optimize my hiking time after spending time in the car.<br />
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The valley initially feels like typical high desert. Sage brush dots the sparsely vegetated hillside. It was green because of the recent snowmelt and Spring rain, but during the summer and fall this area is shades of yellow and brown. After the initial recognition of high desert, I noticed some things that didn't quite fit. A few flower species that I typically only see above treeline, lush vegetation not always next to the creek, and a few badger sized holes that aren't as common in a true desert. Clearly the Tendoys were not a typical exposed high desert mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQXF46X1U8Ud2ZB9HY94yrlvxRoCzfge4cajlv1VQThbrsnSsQM4SLle7-NLNm3rQzEctuY_jfGeL3ythI1Ow14A7SRbSqORoB6nljJ4DZleFxdSOpgi5p2QpgSg9CD8ARkfq1KkBG5V7/s1600/20200606_100239.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQXF46X1U8Ud2ZB9HY94yrlvxRoCzfge4cajlv1VQThbrsnSsQM4SLle7-NLNm3rQzEctuY_jfGeL3ythI1Ow14A7SRbSqORoB6nljJ4DZleFxdSOpgi5p2QpgSg9CD8ARkfq1KkBG5V7/s320/20200606_100239.jpg" title="Ellis Peak, highpoint of the Tendoy Mountains, Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellis Peak from the false summit</td></tr>
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The first bit of the route is gradual as it curls into a drainage and up to the old mine sites that are visible from miles around. But then it ramps up, straight up. I was glad I had panting dogs with me so that I had an excuse to stop. Plus with every foot in elevation I gained the view of the Beaverheads behind me grew more spectacular. I kept having flashbacks to various <a href="http://cdthike.blogspot.com/2014/08/as-i-am-sitting-here-writing-sun-is.html">sections of the CDT</a> and looked at the map frequently to align my memories with the landscape appearing before me.<br />
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About 1,600' above the car I reached the false summit. Fortunately I knew this was coming so it wasn't too heartbreaking to see another 1000' of steep climbing after descending to a small saddle. From the false summit the viewshed includes the rest of the rolling summits of the Tendoys. They look gentle and inviting, especially with lush Spring greenery, but after the steep climb I knew that was deceiving. Just because it's not a jagged skyline doesn't mean the travel is easy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTicxHQg6HSs5zYkAjx4lPLXhNrE4CugQ_JsXWV_vLbJh0bOkVcHp1RjUNl-jiljhhFNFeCyHIR2E-odZ7KaK6KaSIoQvtLitjvkLesdlCc1j91DnC2RQndAYd7d3dp7xL3LnfFHOJN1l/s1600/20200606_104802.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTicxHQg6HSs5zYkAjx4lPLXhNrE4CugQ_JsXWV_vLbJh0bOkVcHp1RjUNl-jiljhhFNFeCyHIR2E-odZ7KaK6KaSIoQvtLitjvkLesdlCc1j91DnC2RQndAYd7d3dp7xL3LnfFHOJN1l/s320/20200606_104802.jpg" title="Ellis Peak, highpoint of the Tendoy Mountains, Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainstorms over the Lima Peaks from the top of Ellis Peak</td></tr>
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In the saddle I got a whiff of some sort of ungulate. Probably a deer to go along with the deer droppings that our younger dog kept trying to eat. Bighorn sheep are being re-reintroduced into the range though so I was trying to keep an eye out for that. Beginning in 2015 extra sheep tags were sold by Montana FWP to exterminate the local herd. Disease plagued the herd and officials we worried that would spread to other populations. So over a couple years the population was hunted off before being reintroduced. The hunted population had been introduced in 1985 and battled sickness for most of that time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIA9ZdIUCV6HqBshoA-j81kFvKdj9H2QMOlNrrMUuYHoLs_plPzfttz1Rz-HYGszYvJVt4W4udVylfFXLmlIYgTzWieczFxbEKWBj2_qhNMe_18QFO7xGogmA712zpa_KtlITQeUMw-aj/s1600/20200606_103952.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIA9ZdIUCV6HqBshoA-j81kFvKdj9H2QMOlNrrMUuYHoLs_plPzfttz1Rz-HYGszYvJVt4W4udVylfFXLmlIYgTzWieczFxbEKWBj2_qhNMe_18QFO7xGogmA712zpa_KtlITQeUMw-aj/s320/20200606_103952.jpg" title="Ellis Peak, highpoint of the Tendoy Mountains, Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why would you stand to drink water?</td></tr>
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I did not see the origin of the smell, however, and focused on the last steep climb. Eventually the top of the tower appeared and then the attached building. I didn't spend much time on the top of Ellis Peak. A few walls of rain peppered the surrounding valleys and I was sure one of them would hit me. Plus the forecast of afternoon thunderstorms didn't sound inviting while I was standing on the highest point next to a tall metal tower.<br />
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Looking directly west at the <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2018/01/eighteenmile-peak-montana-mountain.html">Beaverheads</a> was clear, however, and I took a few minutes to appreciate their glory. On a clear day I'd be able to see the <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/tweedy-peak-montana-mountain-project.html">East</a> and <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/02/stine-mountain-montana-mountain-project.html">West Pioneers</a>, <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/01/hollowtop-mountain-montana-mountain.html">Tobacco Roots</a>, <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/ruby-bm-montana-mountain-project.html">Rubies</a>, Madisons, <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2020/02/black-butte-montana-mountain-project.html">Gravelly's</a>, Blacktail Range, Snowcrests, West Centennials, Lima Peaks, and full Beaverheads. I mostly saw smudges in the distant rain, but caught glimpses of ranges here and there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7r5Iq_q-jQmFb7oce7maYiCUXwM5ytuzOtpXQCkcR93HJHfTHFqsFcL4cHa_JK-7rLTTMN7m1c5pMpS8Kt8n3JSh0OVZ22mPe0gFlFpJKGqgj5rNst_39O3q4e5kqr3zX2uQo5yaUdvm/s1600/20200606_111336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7r5Iq_q-jQmFb7oce7maYiCUXwM5ytuzOtpXQCkcR93HJHfTHFqsFcL4cHa_JK-7rLTTMN7m1c5pMpS8Kt8n3JSh0OVZ22mPe0gFlFpJKGqgj5rNst_39O3q4e5kqr3zX2uQo5yaUdvm/w400-h225/20200606_111336.jpg" title="Ellis Peak, highpoint of the Tendoy Mountains, Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appreciating the break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I couldn't see surrounding mountains I spent more time focusing on the valleys than I normally do on a summit. I visually traced Medicine Lodge creek from its source to its confluence with Grasshopper Creek, then followed the rough cut of Grasshopper Creek to the Beaverhead River. I knew that Lemhi Pass was west of me and that somewhere along the creek emerging from the pass one of the men on the Lewis and Clark party could first jump across the Missouri.<br />
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I love mountain vistas, but after hiking the CDT through the Beaverheads and going to the high points of most of the surrounding ranges in the viewshed (only the Blacktail and Snowcrests I have not at this point), the history and stories that exist in the valleys kept jumping to mind. Connecting the drainages helped mentally connect the stories. Ellis Peak is 35/64 summits in my Montana Mountain Project and I'm starting to realize that, although they are all separate ranges, the high points are all connected in stories and time.<br />
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With thoughts of vigilantes, misspelled words (Bannack was named after the Bannock tribe, but a typo in the filing of the town with the government permanently changed that), buffalo hunting trails, ranching, and placer gold mining, I turned and tried to beat the rain back down the mountain.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Summit Video:</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sA90tEV6YiI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sA90tEV6YiI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-45968848299268999862020-06-04T17:19:00.001-06:002020-10-26T19:02:55.415-06:00Wallman Trail <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_rc7EWz4lqJtn_5wcPgfR4XPx5Jl6KhEv5lgqQBgbfsd0h6KebtEoEPgyGc3NoFhjWboiyD5ObtskSnvTEZOFiOW64PjeoUFmQekPS-lGn8ob3wc8_EGZWZXVl4JmpFRiYljD-MqEbi3/s1600/20180512_185411.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_rc7EWz4lqJtn_5wcPgfR4XPx5Jl6KhEv5lgqQBgbfsd0h6KebtEoEPgyGc3NoFhjWboiyD5ObtskSnvTEZOFiOW64PjeoUFmQekPS-lGn8ob3wc8_EGZWZXVl4JmpFRiYljD-MqEbi3/s400/20180512_185411.jpg" title="Wallman Trail - Rattlesnake National Recreation Area - Missoula, Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although I think fall is the best time for Wallman, spring isn't so<br />bad either!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A staple for hikers, runners, and mountain bikers in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is the Wallman Trail. It offers a challenge, late summer huckleberries, great fall colors, and the route is fairly easy to follow in the myriad of trails criss-crossing the lower Rattlesnake.<br />
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Traditionally this loop begins from the Main Rattlesnake Trailhead, but there is a straight-forward alternative that adds three miles. This post will discuss the alternative add-on route starting at the north end of Duncan Drive in Missoula, which connects through the Main Rattlesnake Trailhead.<br />
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After parking at the end of Duncan, head towards Rattlesnake Creek and pick up the trail running down to the creek. After crossing the bridge turn left and you are on your way! A wide path leads you between the creek and a couple small farms before narrowing slightly and becoming more adventurous.<br />
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Just over a mile up the trail a paved road intersects the trail. This is the road to the Main Rattlesnake Trailhead. Hang a left on the road, cross the creek, then right into the parking lot. If you opt to park at the Main Trailhead then this is where you join our loop.<br />
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From the parking lot head north up the main corridor trail. This is still used as access for maintenance vehicles deep into the Rattlesnake. Originally it was built to access and maintain the irrigation control dams on all the lakes in the Rattlesnake Wilderness. There also used to be a USFS Ranger station eight miles back at Franklin Bridge, as well as a number of homesteads and apple orchards that this old road provided access to, but those days are long gone.<br />
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0.6 miles from the trailhead is your decision time. Do you want to take the loop clockwise or counter clockwise? Going clockwise makes the climb more gradual, and the descent steeper. Today, let's go counter-clockwise and make the climb steep and the descent long and gradual. To do this we'll continue straight up the main corridor and return on Spring Gulch (the trails taking off to the left).<br />
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As you continue up the main corridor you may notice a series of trails taking off, merging, and winding along the right side of the path near the creek. Feel free to take any of these. Just keep heading up river and as long as you are on a trail you'll be spit back onto the main corridor trail before Wallman takes off.<br />
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Around two miles from the main parking lot look for a USFS wooden sign pointing to Wallman Trail on the left. It gives the distance to Spring Gulch, which is where we are headed. Here the trail becomes true single track and parallels an old irrigation ditch from back in the homestead days. When the trail t-s head left and gear down, your climb is about to begin!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP2vf54IeT2brD830o3J9d_cEzVb32VKVTB0FyocORwJjENWAxo9t-GuTcKXB4Q8e6JuZdcNN2uqSG7PjyIoT3w1KPUxLt_peHa1PHRx1ph6qL050XwrBMZcdWfzu6sdVzeVT5ZawQrmi/s1600/20180506_081128.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP2vf54IeT2brD830o3J9d_cEzVb32VKVTB0FyocORwJjENWAxo9t-GuTcKXB4Q8e6JuZdcNN2uqSG7PjyIoT3w1KPUxLt_peHa1PHRx1ph6qL050XwrBMZcdWfzu6sdVzeVT5ZawQrmi/s320/20180506_081128.jpg" title="Wallman Trail - Rattlesnake National Recreation Area - Missoula, Montana" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of runners on the Spring Gulch Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The climb is challenging, but you do get glimpses out to the Missoula Valley every once in a while, and in the Fall the colors of the undergrowth in here are a variety of orange hues. The upper portion of the climb switch backs-and-forth before reaching the crest. There is plenty of space here to pull off to the side of the trail and catch your breath!<br />
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Descending the west side of Wallman is a joy. In the fall golden larch needles cover everything, and if you look carefully in late summer you can find some huckleberries. Fun switchbacks, a gradual grade, and the relief from being done climbing put a definite spring in your step.<br />
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Just over a mile into your descent you'll need to cross the creek running down Spring Gulch. In the fall this is a simple big step or short jump. But during runoff plan on getting wet. It's only a few steps and quite refreshing. There is a shallow ford so bikers don't have issue riding across. Pro tip: run this loop counter-clockwise in the spring so your shoes are wet for fewer miles.<br />
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From here continue downhill at all the trail junctions. It's a straight shot down the gulch. At one point there are two trails that head downhill, but they just parallel the creek on either side and get you to the same place. (The trail on creek left is shadier in the summer). Spring Gulch is part of most loops in the Rattlesnake so chances are you'll see other people through here.<br />
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When you reach the main corridor trail head right to retrace your steps to your starting point.<br />
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<br />
The Details:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Distance: 11 miles roundtrip (8 from the Main Rattlesnake Trailhead)</li>
<li>Elevation Gain: 1,550'</li>
<li>Water: Rattlesnake Creek and Spring Gulch flow year round. Only 3 miles without nearby water</li>
<li>Surface: Single-track trail and wide dirt path</li>
<li>Ideal Times: Fall! Although good three-seasons.</li>
<li>Getting there: From downtown Missoula head east on Spruce and continue on as the road goes under the interstate and transitions into Duncan Drive. Continue on Duncan until it ends (appx 4 miles). If you are starting from the main Rattlesnake Trailhead - head west on Broadway then left (north) on Van Buren. Continue on Van Buren under the interstate and straight through the roundabouts. Turn right on Rattlesnake Drive appx 3.5 miles up the road. Follow the signs to the main trailhead in a couple miles. </li>
<li>GPX file: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/3430845028">https://www.strava.com/activities/3430845028</a></li>
</ul>
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<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-47086096695549328172020-05-08T13:24:00.000-06:002020-05-08T13:24:17.364-06:00Blue Mountain (Missoula)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluFyVuK9sJLMT6RThI9CU9TcHCl3pU2PaOoldf5tnT2Mdj8Tp7A0_ynKRRhzDl1GbPcfCNIcAf1sv1Ga5EmNTwHtZl-QjqEYHGRhUS9OlubFA1Z7Tt_9oToisgEZC1iGhc1toO_xnFSRR/s1600/20200502_080748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluFyVuK9sJLMT6RThI9CU9TcHCl3pU2PaOoldf5tnT2Mdj8Tp7A0_ynKRRhzDl1GbPcfCNIcAf1sv1Ga5EmNTwHtZl-QjqEYHGRhUS9OlubFA1Z7Tt_9oToisgEZC1iGhc1toO_xnFSRR/s400/20200502_080748.jpg" title="Blue Mountain Trail - Missoula Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting into my favorite section of the Blue Mountain Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Blue Mountain Recreation Area at the southwest corner of Missoula is an incredibly popular, and necessary, recreation resource. Trails are open and consistently used by hikers, bikers, runners, dirt bikers, equestrians, and dogs. Lots and lots of dogs. With East facing slopes the lower down trails melt out early in the winter, and are typically a gentler grade than can be found on other trail systems in the City.<br />
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Because Blue Mountain is such a popular destination for recreationists there is a mess of trails on the lower half of the mountain. They all weave in-and-out like a ball of spaghetti and would take an absurd amount of blogposts to accurately describe. So I'm going to skip over the convoluted mess of trails (although I highly recommend exploring them because they are fun!) and focus on the Blue Mountain Equestrian and Hiking National Recreation Trail (official name) and a loop up to the summit of Blue Mountain.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAfjXtMF9k1KXZVb9FXQPoNUx6E8tGRkqD3S7NO8urpF6MIyIYJBexUYIQg28cAk_XPTqcKGVbv0GxM0-LIucIMeYdzc_FL68_9JWrOzLK2bvlNeHsw8TglnJ8928cidA0Xqhl2dxb06d/s1600/20200502_091350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAfjXtMF9k1KXZVb9FXQPoNUx6E8tGRkqD3S7NO8urpF6MIyIYJBexUYIQg28cAk_XPTqcKGVbv0GxM0-LIucIMeYdzc_FL68_9JWrOzLK2bvlNeHsw8TglnJ8928cidA0Xqhl2dxb06d/s400/20200502_091350.jpg" title="Blue Mountain Trail - Missoula Montana" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're never alone! Like every Montana<br />outing, you may encounter wildlife.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the main trailhead of Blue Mountain we'll begin by taking the trail that heads North, number 3.01. Remember that number. When in doubt follow 3.01. The trail begins by traversing the large meadow that separates the foothills from the road. From here you are elevated above most of Missoula and can see the deep cut of Hellgate Canyon and the far reaches of Pattee Canyon. In the spring this meadow turns a lush green and has some of the loudest meadowlarks I have ever heard.<br />
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After a mile of negotiating trail junctions (remember to follow 3.01!) cross the dirt road and head into the trees. You'll see this road a couple more times as it winds it's way up to the lookout on the summit.<br />
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A quick drop of the trail to visit the disc golf course is followed by the climb. Put your game face on; if your goal is the summit it's about eight miles of consistent climbing from here to the lookout. Within the next mile or so the trail will take you into a burn area. While the shade is missed in the summer, the lack of full needle growth allows for excellent views of the valley, and on a clear day the stunning peaks of the distant Mission Mountains. The burn area also allows this trail to melt out much quicker in the spring. Enjoy those silver linings!<br />
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When the trail gets close to road switchbacks just stay on the uphill path and you'll be okay. If the summit is not your goal the road sightings at 2.2 and 4.5 miles allow you to jump to other trails to complete shorter loops. After the road at 4.5 miles, however, you're pretty much committed to 3.01.<br />
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My favorite section begins around mile six. This is where I start to really feel like I'm getting somewhere. Then, when the trail crests onto the shoulder at mile 6.5 it changes and mentally becomes more of a traverse to the summit, rather than a climb (don't be fooled, you're still climbing!). I love the expansive views from here, which are actually better than on top unless you want to look at Lolo Peak.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC8CteBCeWl_v_kWZVo9BWqg6cAwvcNcsDpzHTMsktkV5TDHW_NuOYVVZZjuDduLvNsdDhs3kq7AO67uK1U5FqL1jHgdaRpC_ZHWzVFolgi2egY394P6chxCuWEe7Q60D_c360l4Ttmou/s1600/20200502_093108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC8CteBCeWl_v_kWZVo9BWqg6cAwvcNcsDpzHTMsktkV5TDHW_NuOYVVZZjuDduLvNsdDhs3kq7AO67uK1U5FqL1jHgdaRpC_ZHWzVFolgi2egY394P6chxCuWEe7Q60D_c360l4Ttmou/s400/20200502_093108.jpg" title="Blue Mountain Trail - Missoula Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lookout on top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The road crossing at mile 8.2 is the last checkpoint before the summit, you're almost there. A couple big switchbacks in the trees is all it takes. But, because the aspect shifts to the North side of the mountain, and it's in the shade of the unburned trees, and the elevation is significantly higher than when you started, there will be snow on this section of trail much longer than lower down. Most years there is significant snow into May with patches into June.<br />
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Right about the time you start wondering where the summit is blue sky will appear through the trees. A last long switchback pops you out onto the road bed with a short jaunt remaining to the lookout tower. Take some time, you earned it!<br />
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To loop the route follow the road straight East. This will turn into trail number 6.05. Now is the time to forget 3.01 and think 6.05! Since it's on an East facing slope this trail melts out much faster near the summit. Dirt bikes and erosion on this steep trail have created numerous places where paths dart off into the trees only to return a minute later. Threads of the trail weave across the width of the ridgeline. As long as you keep heading downhill you'll be fine. This trail is much steeper which is why I prefer to descend here rather than reverse the loop.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ctTMGmQSEh30vgrog0PfCmwxS9LRXLtvShrScyaRZ8UFyZmIeMM2rIcshE87qfth5B519yLCeDWkb4UXEYp6D04STklKWGrAw1pwZuNPfCMhaSxw_FI6FDc7mzBkm5ehyphenhyphenPKUIZAm47Jx/s1600/20200502_093106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ctTMGmQSEh30vgrog0PfCmwxS9LRXLtvShrScyaRZ8UFyZmIeMM2rIcshE87qfth5B519yLCeDWkb4UXEYp6D04STklKWGrAw1pwZuNPfCMhaSxw_FI6FDc7mzBkm5ehyphenhyphenPKUIZAm47Jx/s400/20200502_093106.jpg" title="Blue Mountain Trail - Missoula Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lolo Peak from the summit of Blue Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Stay on 6.05 until you meet with 6.02 descending to the left. This drops you down into the bottom of Hayes Creek. Once you cross the creek you're back into the mess of trails on the lower slopes. It's now time to choose your own adventure! The initial climb is rather painful, but my choice to get back to the trailhead is via trail 6.05 then 3.05 and down to the vehicle.<br />
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The Details:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Distance: 17.5 miles depending on how you navigate the lower trail system on the return.</li>
<li>Elevation Gain: 4,101' </li>
<li>Water: Reliable only in Hayes Creek at mile 14.3. Otherwise typically dry.</li>
<li>Surface: Single Track Trail</li>
<li>Ideal times: Late Spring after the trails dry out and snow melts up high. Early fall with gorgeous colors. </li>
<li>Getting there: From Missoula head South on Highway 93. Turn Right on Blue Mountain Road. Just over a half mile later turn left on Forest Hill Lane then immediately right into the parking lot. </li>
<li>GPX file: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/3386533689">https://www.strava.com/activities/3386533689</a></li>
</ul>
Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-64656049652322285822020-04-30T20:27:00.001-06:002020-05-08T14:40:37.968-06:00North Fork of the Blackfoot Falls<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOZlx6qOk2kyOi0U1j9SgxGDg9T3rOeKrcp1iHjJ48_RGIMrCxjbm0rvVWsisYgInj9AdP9-qoMQ-2tRG5pYMTTCJCJogYitjgHJsO4GLd8VkbEdFoWll0gQFmow_vYx9D0IjHEOjfWkG/s1600/20170604_131901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOZlx6qOk2kyOi0U1j9SgxGDg9T3rOeKrcp1iHjJ48_RGIMrCxjbm0rvVWsisYgInj9AdP9-qoMQ-2tRG5pYMTTCJCJogYitjgHJsO4GLd8VkbEdFoWll0gQFmow_vYx9D0IjHEOjfWkG/s400/20170604_131901.jpg" title="North Fork Falls on the North Fork of the Blackfoot River - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising down the North Fork of the Blackfoot River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex is overwhelmingly huge. I often find myself pouring over maps plotting out interesting loops for a run, only to realize this "short" loop is 35 miles. I often find myself paralyzed by indecision on adventure locations here.<br />
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Fortunately there is a massive waterfall on the North Fork of the Blackfoot that roars through a narrow defile in the canyon. Well, it roars in late spring, which is when I suggest going. The Falls are a great destination spot for a weekend long run, or weekend backpacking ramble (although it's better to camp near the guard station). I typically like to avoid out-and-backs, but this route is worth it.<br />
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Beginning from the North Fork of the Blackfoot Trailhead, follow the wide, well-traveled horse trail to North out of the parking lot. Like many of the trailheads on the South side of the Bob Marshall Wilderness this is a major access point for outfitters. Compared to other trails, however, this trail is designed to handle two-way traffic in many places with split, single-direction paths.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp2kFSz5Oi3T-gBD5oW3NtiHBBAI4EJcr5np7CZBEaxuRVYaE1DSldo0jUwBFEWrztULzg8ofwyH-GNcQ5xFSiNK4i327O22Yq7YTCM-1ewiCioQ-urZMvLxDO1aRxFjFANyB_LV9JRG6/s1600/20170604_112008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp2kFSz5Oi3T-gBD5oW3NtiHBBAI4EJcr5np7CZBEaxuRVYaE1DSldo0jUwBFEWrztULzg8ofwyH-GNcQ5xFSiNK4i327O22Yq7YTCM-1ewiCioQ-urZMvLxDO1aRxFjFANyB_LV9JRG6/s400/20170604_112008.jpg" title="North Fork Falls on the North Fork of the Blackfoot River - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide open views for most of this trail</td></tr>
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The trail beings initially on the west side of the river and climbs up to a vantage point overlooking the next few miles deep into the drainage. Because of an old fire, much of the trail has expansive views, but this also makes it warm and exposed in summer months.<br />
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At the three mile mark the trail descends to the river and crosses to the East side on a solid bridge. There are a couple great places to pitch tents here, or simply enjoy the river on a warm day. I'd recommend saving a dip in the water until the trip home when there are only three miles of travel in squishy shoes.<br />
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The trail for the next few miles is a fun mix of ups, downs, ins, and outs as it traverses a bit away from the water and above the bottom of Sourdough Flats. The roar never really leaves your ears though and is always a reminder that the falls are ahead.<br />
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Crossing the river again at mile 6.5 puts you at the North Fork Guard Station. The guard station marks the junction of the North Fork and the Dry Fork of the North Fork. Just past the guard station the trail splits. The falls are to the right, continuing up the North Fork, while the other trail options are for another adventure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8DtCrPzNdHuYnb_IjDDY1D3dESs1H_wpZvFcwJ-9es7wsPP5l8pTXzqXVQsNHi3T69FbWkHLDLTIj0JWljjetevpyGc9Qfl4f-g_H32pslb784On-mbDBwdhgB4W8NgNtmZOvby9PIib/s1600/20170604_115501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8DtCrPzNdHuYnb_IjDDY1D3dESs1H_wpZvFcwJ-9es7wsPP5l8pTXzqXVQsNHi3T69FbWkHLDLTIj0JWljjetevpyGc9Qfl4f-g_H32pslb784On-mbDBwdhgB4W8NgNtmZOvby9PIib/s400/20170604_115501.jpg" title="North Fork Falls on the North Fork of the Blackfoot River - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upper cascade of the North Fork of the Blackfoot Falls</td></tr>
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The trail splits again not much farther on as you begin a serious climb, and depending on which map you have the junction may not be on the map. Looking at the direction of the trails you'll notice the right trail climbs straight up the impending slope, while the left trail stays more mellow and makes a big switchback. They both lead to the same place. We opted for the more gradual climb on the way out and shorter steeper descent on the way back.<br />
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Just over a mile from the guard station (if you took the long, gradual way) the trail rounds a corner and you'll start hearing the deep reverberations of the Falls. Multiple user created paths descend to various overlooks to view the raging water as it is forced through the gap in the canyon. While it's fun to see anytime of year, the crescendo during spring runoff is something special and why it's worth making the trip early season.<br />
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After taking in the misty beauty of the Falls, the choice is yours to continue up the North Fork of the Blackfoot and further adventure or return.<br />
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The Details:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Distance: 15.6 miles from the trailhead to the Falls and back.</li>
<li>Elevation Gain: 1,535'</li>
<li>Water: The trail crosses the river at mile 3 and 6.5. Otherwise pretty dry.</li>
<li>Surface: Single track trail</li>
<li>Ideal times: Late spring while the river is still high. The drainage is south facing and exposed so melts out relatively quick.</li>
<li>Getting there: From Missoula drive East on Hwy 200 and continue straight through Clearwater Junction (on Hwy 200 not 83). 19.5 miles after Clearwater Junction turn north onto North Fork Blackfoot Road #5550. Follow the signs and 10.5 miles later you will be at the trailhead.</li>
<li>GPX route: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1021553629">https://www.strava.com/activities/1021553629</a></li>
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<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-44050101330920789002020-04-26T13:32:00.000-06:002020-04-26T13:32:13.650-06:00Saint Joseph Peak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Trails in the Bitterroot Mountains often consist of miles of drainage travel before arriving at a gorgeous high alpine lake or a jumping off point to reach a summit. But the route to Little Saint Joseph and (big) Saint Joseph peaks is one of the few that begins at a higher elevation, thus making these alpine summits more accessible in a day.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFnpfbtYkBakAsOYSC2fzLZ0-JnvMmnvYmOINc8NV65uM9ZDWto8x4w-v9a0VgksafnKLOmAjfODk49hJYWaiKy4mk8Mqz8NP1I-rMY6hw3ryxepE-oMQ1CElG0or8vkCiB1DrPDI4EP5/s1600/20180909_123313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFnpfbtYkBakAsOYSC2fzLZ0-JnvMmnvYmOINc8NV65uM9ZDWto8x4w-v9a0VgksafnKLOmAjfODk49hJYWaiKy4mk8Mqz8NP1I-rMY6hw3ryxepE-oMQ1CElG0or8vkCiB1DrPDI4EP5/s400/20180909_123313.jpg" title="Saint Joseph (Saint Joe's) Peak - Bitterroot - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Returning from Saint Joseph Peak</td></tr>
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The trail begins unassumingly. A hiker friendly grade leads you up and away from the dirt parking area and winds through a fir and larch forest with underbrush that turns all shades of orange in the fall. The pleasant grade ends abruptly at the one mile mark, however, and the trail ramps above 25% grade. Fortunately the climb is interrupted by expansive views into the <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/trailreview-bass-creek.html">Bass Creek</a> drainage, which provide plenty of opportunities to justify pausing to catch your breath. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yu6ME43H-xPW3iTxFiRAWeTPYqyfoI7AnFJCuyAbH-7G0zALUo7UM1DFjwET6qERJAbQhS1vyYwbJZ4X4b09MeDh0gL8nFDgcMmoETnR-7W37Q3JzPXNDynSQRFSwnoTFLOPK-6yuCoJ/s1600/20180909_140307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yu6ME43H-xPW3iTxFiRAWeTPYqyfoI7AnFJCuyAbH-7G0zALUo7UM1DFjwET6qERJAbQhS1vyYwbJZ4X4b09MeDh0gL8nFDgcMmoETnR-7W37Q3JzPXNDynSQRFSwnoTFLOPK-6yuCoJ/s400/20180909_140307.jpg" title="Saint Joseph (Saint Joe's) Peak - Bitterroot - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleasant trail in the early miles.</td></tr>
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The tread remains straight forward and clear, ableit rocky, for a couple miles, but as the trees become stunted, so does the trail. Cairns lead you a bit further, but eventually route finding becomes your responsibility. And this is why you should commit to at least summiting Little Saint Joe's. </div>
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As far as off-trail travel goes, this adventure is a great place to gain confidence. With only one ridge to follow, you'd be hard pressed to miss the summit. Just keep going up. My preference was to find the abrupt edge on the south side and follow that to the summit of Little Saint Joe's. This route was straight forward enough with only a few detours to avoid the thickest of the krummholz and find the smoothest of the talus. But not having a trail is not an excuse to avoid Little Saint Joe!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ7-FLQ7xsvgNxHnWlt8wU54yecBN081PKZ-uwhf5GUTM3w2A9375qJhVn1LvJG7HWTOVPcA5aG3cRa1PQQQo961s7yuovcpy8MbbjgtTBBHZSIewa_52Lq7fA9FQQ3D3sHYSGC5FTeMI/s1600/20180909_094210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ7-FLQ7xsvgNxHnWlt8wU54yecBN081PKZ-uwhf5GUTM3w2A9375qJhVn1LvJG7HWTOVPcA5aG3cRa1PQQQo961s7yuovcpy8MbbjgtTBBHZSIewa_52Lq7fA9FQQ3D3sHYSGC5FTeMI/s400/20180909_094210.jpg" title="Saint Joseph (Saint Joe's) Peak - Bitterroot - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Little Saint Joseph Peak</td></tr>
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The summit of Little Saint Joe's is little more than an upswell of rocks rising higher than the points around it. But the views are incredible on a clear day. For the relative ease of travel (aside from the gasping for air on the steep climb) the sense of adventure is high. </div>
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From Little Saint Joe's you have a choice to return to the car, or continue your adventure to Saint Joe's. Looking beyond the summit of Little Saint Joe's, it's easy to see the ridgeline to follow to get to the higher summit. Speaking from a technical standpoint it is a more difficult climb, but can still be done with low class three routing (Little Joe is maybe class 2) with the option to increase the difficulty and exposure if desired. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9MvIqZADewU_ALoUJPXw-HK_4QMRpaNrW1ic8aM99ViaFtj1v-FySmpxRTBVK_x-yNY5pmKiBdEP73X8MhqoPF5UwFUpIA-tTLwStUnAMRx5CJ8h3_BWUEjQgs3E0vLN22rF9O9NiNHf/s1600/20180909_103158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9MvIqZADewU_ALoUJPXw-HK_4QMRpaNrW1ic8aM99ViaFtj1v-FySmpxRTBVK_x-yNY5pmKiBdEP73X8MhqoPF5UwFUpIA-tTLwStUnAMRx5CJ8h3_BWUEjQgs3E0vLN22rF9O9NiNHf/s400/20180909_103158.jpg" title="Saint Joseph (Saint Joe's) Peak - Bitterroot - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working around a knob on the ridge</td></tr>
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The ridgeline descends from the first summit three hundred feet before dog legging to the left and beginning to climb again. It's roughly 2.5 miles between the two summits, depending on your route, but aside from a few small spots here-and-there, it's only the last mile that involves thinking. </div>
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During the dog-leg to the south, be sure to look at the north bowl coming off Saint Joe's to start thinking of your route. As you draw closer much will be cut from your view. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioh0bFAPk7tct4-0_pijlUbH0-PViJ5j-yete02nAI3u3XgCzZMJHAGCP1Vy1mj1jVQhTburFJCpCV5RhmcdzhrGk7wRvDNKIChBamTkgtvLmiLF1cWnF-H3q1nGrTLUr6ablS9zSxzrRi/s1600/20180909_110816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioh0bFAPk7tct4-0_pijlUbH0-PViJ5j-yete02nAI3u3XgCzZMJHAGCP1Vy1mj1jVQhTburFJCpCV5RhmcdzhrGk7wRvDNKIChBamTkgtvLmiLF1cWnF-H3q1nGrTLUr6ablS9zSxzrRi/s400/20180909_110816.jpg" title="Saint Joseph (Saint Joe's) Peak - Bitterroot - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side-hill traverse if you choose the south side of the ridge</td></tr>
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When the ridgeline turns west again, putting you in direct line with the summit, it narrows and becomes rockier. A band of rocks 5-15' high runs along the top and is a fun spot to work on rocky travel, or you can avoid most of the scrambling and walk next to the band. </div>
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Unless you are up for some serious rock climbing (not me) the final summit push will force you to choose which side of the ridge to jump off on. To the south is a much less technical and longer, while the north is a bit more exposed but shorter. If you opt to head on the south side of the ridge simply hug the bottom of the rock face while traversing to the obvious shoulder that leads to the summit. The side-hilling can get tedious, but it's relatively straightforward. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFSv9MhLt3TGMcVrS5-YJ_8b1Djop8xbBOVbxlDcoJttaf8M_YJ0nbI2u9qYAA4QsB19CUT9b4ot_VDIaOVviFm8gdiCnFZXijaDBoMXAG-2_JXK4PbgGm5xM9VhuSAcWEwu7NIhw4ePT/s1600/20180909_120622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFSv9MhLt3TGMcVrS5-YJ_8b1Djop8xbBOVbxlDcoJttaf8M_YJ0nbI2u9qYAA4QsB19CUT9b4ot_VDIaOVviFm8gdiCnFZXijaDBoMXAG-2_JXK4PbgGm5xM9VhuSAcWEwu7NIhw4ePT/s400/20180909_120622.jpg" title="Saint Joseph (Saint Joe's) Peak - Bitterroot - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of the big couloir</td></tr>
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If you choose to head on the north side of the ridge (my choice), aim to initially traverse at the same height or slightly higher as the ridge you approached on. This will keep you above the band of rocks you observed while covering the dog-leg south. Near the center of the cirque, a large couloir will appear that is a steep and loose, but still relatively low exposure, to the top. Looking up some of the other couloirs on your way can be discouraging (again, unless you want to seriously rock climb), but there will be a big, open one, I promise! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-mezepyO25Auq3aSsPh6w-NsOHhVJjij-fo7Xbg9aSsI4oNO3ToWfVi6vHAKl5dlGjDqbwGsvErod-St5lhM6sdXVXIz7THoUc4unmmhCVM062j4zgrrC19Ug1AM9k-PV3hKHeZksNFR/s1600/20180909_121648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-mezepyO25Auq3aSsPh6w-NsOHhVJjij-fo7Xbg9aSsI4oNO3ToWfVi6vHAKl5dlGjDqbwGsvErod-St5lhM6sdXVXIz7THoUc4unmmhCVM062j4zgrrC19Ug1AM9k-PV3hKHeZksNFR/s400/20180909_121648.jpg" title="Saint Joseph (Saint Joe's) Peak - Bitterroot - Montana" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never more technical than this<br />(unless you want it to be!)</td></tr>
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I particularly enjoy the view from this summit because it feels more adventurous than nearby Lolo Peak or Saint Mary's. Lolo also involves off-trail travel, but less of it, and the ridge, although still fun, does not feel as "adventurous". A well-earned summit strokes the ego just a bit more. </div>
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Like all adventures, especially off-trail, there is an element of risk. However, this area is a fun place to work on scree/talus skills and confidence without the exposure that often accompanies rock in the high mountains. </div>
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Getting there:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Distance: 3 miles to the top of Little Saint Joseph, approximately 5.5 to the top of Saint Joseph's (one-way-distances)</li>
<li>Elevation gain: 2,900' to Little Saint Joseph, 4,850' for both summits.</li>
<li>Water: None. Some snow through early summer.</li>
<li>Surface: Single track, scree/talus, alpine wandering</li>
<li>Ideal times: Summer and Fall. Snow in the spring and early summer can add extra danger to the ridgeline. Fall is best for colors!</li>
<li>Getting there: From Missoula head south on Highway 93. A couple miles pass Florence, turn right on Bass Creek Road. Follow Bass Creek Road to <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/trailreview-bass-creek.html">Bass Creek Trailhead</a>, but don't park! Follow the road up to the right. Continue driving uphill until the road ends. Get out and enjoy!</li>
<li>GPX route: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1831196018/overview">https://www.strava.com/activities/1831196018/overview</a></li>
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Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-3253365381433775712020-04-15T18:43:00.000-06:002020-04-15T18:43:52.520-06:00Larry Creek Trail<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTKGrtkDI1Yenmr_Gz7_rnQpIbr0v8wFar8GElyOaIBNTDk5elqkygrBjd1kCv8hjGsGyUJp9E7twC6igbWDP2gSs7e5Tb7UKIq8FOzpbUyfEaW0TKLfYhKnval8j-V__9qpkvlzbiEzF/s1600/20190512_084719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTKGrtkDI1Yenmr_Gz7_rnQpIbr0v8wFar8GElyOaIBNTDk5elqkygrBjd1kCv8hjGsGyUJp9E7twC6igbWDP2gSs7e5Tb7UKIq8FOzpbUyfEaW0TKLfYhKnval8j-V__9qpkvlzbiEzF/s400/20190512_084719.jpg" title="Larry Creek Trail - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open forest and fun trail on the Larry Creek loop</td></tr>
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Often overlooked because of its proximity to the mouth of <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/trailreview-bass-creek.html">Bass Creek</a>, the Larry Creek trails offer a wonderful loop in the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains. The Larry Creek trail melt out early in the spring so are often one of the first trail experiences free from mud and ice. I highly recommend going in April during peak wildflower season.<br />
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There are multiple trails criss-crossing this trail system, but I like a 6.3 mile trail beginning from the horse trailer parking lot (you can also head out the back of the picnic area). I've run this loop both directions but prefer to go clockwise to get the majority of the climbing done with early, and to keep my feet dry for longer.<br />
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As I hinted, the trail begins with a climb. Compared to many of the trails in Montana, however, this is a pretty mild grade. The first mile or so is through an old burn area and the route follows the "Ecology" part of the trail.<br />
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Key to not getting lost: Follow Yellow.<br />
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Just over a mile in the trail abruptly dips into a lush ravine before crossing Larry Creek. Just as abruptly the trail spits you back out into a ponderosa pine forest with plenty of Arrow-Leaf Balsam Root (if you time it right).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-41gZJlzhoW4cMvc_JSjp6BFjX8iWcDoZJNlPqIuiArsPXxBXRB6w8cRD0GJ2O8fYp_QjvHKnCdReqAUX_l26etrK-02DV_EH7RoZc35V9H1h4LTKV5lghqUWhP86qd7TzOqcjXk4XYD5/s1600/20170507_082036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-41gZJlzhoW4cMvc_JSjp6BFjX8iWcDoZJNlPqIuiArsPXxBXRB6w8cRD0GJ2O8fYp_QjvHKnCdReqAUX_l26etrK-02DV_EH7RoZc35V9H1h4LTKV5lghqUWhP86qd7TzOqcjXk4XYD5/s400/20170507_082036.jpg" title="Larry Creek Trail - Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping into the lush part of the Larry Creek Loop</td></tr>
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The high point of the trail comes around mile 2.5 and from there it's a leisurely cruise on fun, smooth single track for the majority of the last few miles. Occasional glimpses of the Bitterroot Valley make for gorgeous views and the chances of seeing deer or elk in the ranchers fields are pretty high.<br />
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In the last mile or so you'll get your feet wet during spring runoff (assuming you're following good trail etiquette and not bumping around off-trail). The creek often overflows the narrow confines the trail makers built and middle-school broad jumping is required. In my mind the creek crossings (yes, there are a couple) add some excitement to finish off the run or hike.<br />
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Larry Creek is one of my favorite places for a relaxing run on varied terrain, again, especially in the Spring.<br />
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Details for the Larry Creek Trail:<br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li>Distance: 6.3 mile loop trail (following yellow markers)</li>
<li>Elevation: 922' of climbing</li>
<li>Water: Some on the East side of the loop within a mile of the horse parking lot</li>
<li>Surface: Single-track</li>
<li>Ideal Times: Spring! and fall. This trail can get hot in summer afternoons, morning is ideal. </li>
<li>Getting there: From Missoula head South on Hwy 93. Pass through Lolo and Florence. Turn right about 2 miles past Florence onto Bass Creek Road. *DO NOT turn onto Larry Creek Road* Drive due West on Bass Creek Road appx. 2 miles to the intersection with the campground and picnic areas. It's immediately after crossing the creek. Turn Right. Follow the road for appx 1/4 mile to the horse trailer parking lot. The trail takes off on the west side of the road heading uphill. </li>
<li>GPX route: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/552897105">https://www.strava.com/activities/552897105</a></li>
<li>Things to consider: This area is largely maintained and used by members of the Bitterroot Equestrian club. Please follow all courtesies when encountering horses, and thank riders for their maintenance!</li>
</ul>
Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-2716733847809820762020-03-26T14:18:00.003-06:002020-03-26T14:20:00.898-06:00Barmeyer TrailOne of the newest additions to the Missoula area network of trails is the Barmeyer Trail on the northern flank of Mount Dean Stone. This trail climbs up to a wonderful vista that offers sweeping views of the Missoula Valley and a unique perspective of Mount Sentinel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyBR_7-iikM9_64rxEfRBZZuiufzsycndkQoXUI7iTjqm9Gg7XCiKO9HLs7vgK0QtRTgjDhOa2fQs4-F9IiJMRfeUYPGNU6MVaJcFXNpFobyHum89FYpageKIDc4CQi4dKeZUz6qF0peG/s1600/20200325_091552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyBR_7-iikM9_64rxEfRBZZuiufzsycndkQoXUI7iTjqm9Gg7XCiKO9HLs7vgK0QtRTgjDhOa2fQs4-F9IiJMRfeUYPGNU6MVaJcFXNpFobyHum89FYpageKIDc4CQi4dKeZUz6qF0peG/s320/20200325_091552.jpg" title="Barmeyer Trail - Missoula, Montana" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unique perspective of Mount Sentinel from the Barmeyer Trail</td></tr>
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In 2018 the City of Missoula added the Barmeyer trail and the land it sits upon to its official Open Space lands. This is the first step in what will, hopefully, be a trail corridor linking the south side of Missoula to the top of Mount Dean Stone. Even without the trail stretching to higher elevations, the Barmeyer Trail is a great place for a morning hike or ride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJjsgVJevKWjD7hxpeJHChu-LUvzU0W4ivIptiLaGtaXt5xtjeGhWibWv9qQEVJT_8lw2Gy2W4Kr-s-ORM2WI3WLtLHNogKj2phkliwlOJIf5uM99O9Qi-qn8SO5FnlvgtrsmcanC-kIh/s1600/20200325_083626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJjsgVJevKWjD7hxpeJHChu-LUvzU0W4ivIptiLaGtaXt5xtjeGhWibWv9qQEVJT_8lw2Gy2W4Kr-s-ORM2WI3WLtLHNogKj2phkliwlOJIf5uM99O9Qi-qn8SO5FnlvgtrsmcanC-kIh/s320/20200325_083626.jpg" title="Barmeyer Trail - Missoula, Montana" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool on a hot day on the Barmeyer Trail</td></tr>
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The Barmeyer Trail is a lollipop trail that climbs over 800' in 1.5 miles. The first 200' though make it seem like it will climb 2,800' in that same distance. Keep going! I promise it gets more gradual. After passing the initial "entry" into the trail, the path snakes through a dark, relatively lush section of forest with big fir trees and moss covering the ground. Even in the midst of summer this bottom half mile of trail stays nice and cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sxpSddmpC_dAo-Xcp2eJfTv-yhZC-dDCMsPhGDdnNBQxW7s08WZpjl70Y8AzAjvlBrCz0YxZZn_kKVFUPzBBOjBrBy9wpjvhPXsgyNPfIh_XIukTEl68drmnMfIPbOZpgyOrFCrADhEC/s1600/20200325_084801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sxpSddmpC_dAo-Xcp2eJfTv-yhZC-dDCMsPhGDdnNBQxW7s08WZpjl70Y8AzAjvlBrCz0YxZZn_kKVFUPzBBOjBrBy9wpjvhPXsgyNPfIh_XIukTEl68drmnMfIPbOZpgyOrFCrADhEC/s400/20200325_084801.jpg" title="Barmeyer Trail - Missoula, Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early sun on the Barmeyer Trail</td></tr>
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A few steps past the half mile mark the trail splits; left takes you up the steeper, foot traffic only, side of the loop, while right will lead you up the more gradual bike friendly side. I like going up the more gradual side of the loop since my legs are usually still warming up and and my knees aren't at the point where steep downhill is more painful than fun.<br />
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The right side (North) of the loop switchbacks a few more times before popping out of the trees at 0.7 miles into grassy slopes and your first views of Mount Sentinel and Pattee Canyon. If it's a hot day the second half of the climb is a great time to work on your hydration skills and beach season tan. It's more exposed, but the views are worth it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaKqa-_hUkR1vUhdfSnGNzeQLx1rgOTkemRRpmLqklKRfKw-mOWSQSoSM1evN2u3xyedEpybwpx0MPbrJnlQi7D3vTm-jTLPKVbulGqt5IRfXwX523c6rm3KLBOumJt24f85_oLGCyYMu/s1600/20200325_085209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaKqa-_hUkR1vUhdfSnGNzeQLx1rgOTkemRRpmLqklKRfKw-mOWSQSoSM1evN2u3xyedEpybwpx0MPbrJnlQi7D3vTm-jTLPKVbulGqt5IRfXwX523c6rm3KLBOumJt24f85_oLGCyYMu/s400/20200325_085209.jpg" title="Barmeyer Trail - Missoula, Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They view when you pop out of the trees on the North Barmeyer Loop</td></tr>
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Around 1.3 miles the trail spits you out onto a road. There is a sign directing you the last .2 miles North to the overlook. This is an out-and-back, but don't pass it up. From this spot you can overlook the entire Missoula Valley and see the mountains of the Rattlesnake, Ninemile, and Grave Creek Sub-Range. It's also usually much windier than the parking lot!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryV53peBG-EaYhOGQYgkwypkZG4fj6-Epz387_VEyhazBK_c8wfE2dBOUSC8qhXHrjxyPGXkntGN09ZgpJrXUJvJjh-8kKbu5qqH28RKB6zxLbnf-5NHvb9sVY_K3-R04xdzxxQpB96dB/s1600/20200325_090306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryV53peBG-EaYhOGQYgkwypkZG4fj6-Epz387_VEyhazBK_c8wfE2dBOUSC8qhXHrjxyPGXkntGN09ZgpJrXUJvJjh-8kKbu5qqH28RKB6zxLbnf-5NHvb9sVY_K3-R04xdzxxQpB96dB/s400/20200325_090306.jpg" title="Barmeyer Trail - Missoula, Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhaenna looking the wrong way</td></tr>
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To complete the loop head back South from the overlook and pass the trail you came up. 10 yards past that trail is another trail coming up on your left (Continuing up the road to your right will connect to the Sousa Trail). This is the foot-traffic Barmeyer Trail that you split from below. This path is narrower and meanders through the trees, thus offering more shade for those hot days. It also tends to hold ice and snow longer in the shoulder seasons so beware!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4Qj6NrAV1sHR1uf0qv-1gtDO2nK31InSDpRMwHQH40Rwwjsts-NnEbc5GEcy8vN6qM95HN55Yv6lLx_iKTnerI94l58wM2OQ9Cp9NOWPxNJcLNI1I0DefLueb515Xl1KpPwQ_YTLX_w0/s1600/20200325_091058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4Qj6NrAV1sHR1uf0qv-1gtDO2nK31InSDpRMwHQH40Rwwjsts-NnEbc5GEcy8vN6qM95HN55Yv6lLx_iKTnerI94l58wM2OQ9Cp9NOWPxNJcLNI1I0DefLueb515Xl1KpPwQ_YTLX_w0/s400/20200325_091058.jpg" title="Barmeyer Trail - Missoula, Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down the South side of the Barmeyer Loop</td></tr>
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This trail is flanked on the East by private property so be sure to stay on the trail, but do keep an eye out because the drainage below you is a great place to spot deer and other Montana creatures!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuByuw2P3zfaQumTk75oazWCEsOP-v7AYwsZrdZYGnn0fBy7kY6IhZddS90tAo1kDR9Johzy4LKlhSG-I_qPkXsDUgSTpPyOx_dgvi_oqysfROlcFeu02572W2xGrs800VywCWieI6EJ2/s1600/20200325_091552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuByuw2P3zfaQumTk75oazWCEsOP-v7AYwsZrdZYGnn0fBy7kY6IhZddS90tAo1kDR9Johzy4LKlhSG-I_qPkXsDUgSTpPyOx_dgvi_oqysfROlcFeu02572W2xGrs800VywCWieI6EJ2/s400/20200325_091552.jpg" title="Barmeyer Trail - Missoula, Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mount Sentinel from the South side of the Barmeyer Loop</td></tr>
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Details for the Barmeyer Trail:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Distance: 3.15 miles car-to-car</li>
<li>Elevation: 889' of climbing</li>
<li>Water: None</li>
<li>Surface: Wide single-track</li>
<li>Ideal times: The Barmeyer Trail is open year round, but requires spikes in the winter and shoulder season. I prefer going up Barmeyer in the morning because the early sun as you pop out of the trees is magical. </li>
<li>Getting there: From downtown Missoula head South on Higgins Avenue. Turn left onto Pattee Canyon Drive when Higgins turns right (1.1 miles after the round-a-bout). Follow Pattee Canyon Drive 1.3 miles until you see the small parking lot on the right. </li>
<li>GPX data: <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/3216755231">https://www.strava.com/activities/3216755231</a></li>
</ul>
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<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-52241290234708305882020-02-04T16:59:00.000-07:002020-02-04T17:01:29.435-07:00Black Butte - Montana Mountain Project<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmN3mgbnLQo7ucMryYW255KpEqm8CoTv7NbkFIL8koVFjmIDp2D1LI5EG1bt1-BwDsJJL7ybHiAPqFjoEu9d5V_DmzY29fCQvrSxsogh3JMV9fw2Vp_RLmf94lsCtvabWAkQ2_KxY9x77/s1600/20190720_160203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmN3mgbnLQo7ucMryYW255KpEqm8CoTv7NbkFIL8koVFjmIDp2D1LI5EG1bt1-BwDsJJL7ybHiAPqFjoEu9d5V_DmzY29fCQvrSxsogh3JMV9fw2Vp_RLmf94lsCtvabWAkQ2_KxY9x77/s640/20190720_160203.jpg" title="Black Butte - Gravelly Mountains Montana" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad looking regal with Black Butte looming in the background.</td></tr>
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During the same month as the battle of Vicksburg and the death of Stonewall Jackson in the Civil War, two prospectors stumbled upon the find of a lifetime: gold in Alder Gulch, Montana. That 1863 find kicked off a minor gold rush far from the bloody fields of the Civil War. Although in Union territory, this town at the north end of the Gravelly Mountains adopted the name "Varina" in honor of the first lady of the Confederate States of America. This was later changed to Virginia City after an objection to the name by a judge, but I think the independent spirit of the Confederacy remains in this area.<br />
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It seems that history revolved around Virginia City for 20 or so years: it became the territorial capital, a famous area in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana_Vigilantes">Vigilante</a> folklore, and the first school in Montana was founded there. Today less than 200 people reside in the town that once contained thousands of miners. Travelers stop to read about some of the history on their way over the pass to Ennis, but few linger.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyz30uvR2CUscx6Dnb3rVLzfPY70HAP0MDpEfnmxFbtiYNorenM-eLlfGmcqU2oX80dWkWAUrZ8Tq19BNlqC4qyIYRNzrBj3_arDweeqXZg_SmAL_Sd9DDKtXkC5-85oYwhzVbBmAejSXq/s1600/20190720_160911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyz30uvR2CUscx6Dnb3rVLzfPY70HAP0MDpEfnmxFbtiYNorenM-eLlfGmcqU2oX80dWkWAUrZ8Tq19BNlqC4qyIYRNzrBj3_arDweeqXZg_SmAL_Sd9DDKtXkC5-85oYwhzVbBmAejSXq/s400/20190720_160911.jpg" title="Black Butte - Gravelly Mountains Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the road behind</td></tr>
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To me passing through Virginia City means adventure. I will not be panning for gold anytime soon, but, every time I have driven through Virginia City it has been on the way to or from a fun weekend in the mountains. In July, Sara and I journeyed through Vigilante territory and met my parents in the middle of the Gravelly Range for one of those pleasant alpine weekends.<br />
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Since they were driving up from Flagstaff we picked a point on the map (a random bend along the <a href="https://www.bigskyfishing.com/scenic-drives/gravelly-range.php">Gravelly Range Road</a>) to meet up. I hoped there was a campsite there for them because Sara and I were going to meet them the morning after they arrived and we could not coordinate further in phone-less bliss.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLmimwPmyuWUWA2SMmmaarOy0DeF8H35hbHycQD22JjN8wNKQOa7HqYQTsBgk62yOTSuGFKGBwH7JLKnoP-_vIDln-ilWGIFWJSZGHfLLMs42q6yUoGmc_rsQXMddjCYqx4i_sIY501O3/s1600/20190720_161938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLmimwPmyuWUWA2SMmmaarOy0DeF8H35hbHycQD22JjN8wNKQOa7HqYQTsBgk62yOTSuGFKGBwH7JLKnoP-_vIDln-ilWGIFWJSZGHfLLMs42q6yUoGmc_rsQXMddjCYqx4i_sIY501O3/s400/20190720_161938.jpg" title="Black Butte - Gravelly Mountains Montana" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents hiking their first Montana High Point</td></tr>
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We found them along the southern end of the Range, after the Range Road climbs up to about 9,000'. They were camped looking over green, flowery hills that stretched miles down to the ranch lands of the Centennial Valley. If you were to pick an area that exemplified Montana, this may be it. Mountains on all sides, two river basins visible, mining history to the north, and lush pasture land as far as the eye could see. For picking a spot blindly off the map we didn't do so bad!<br />
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After a quick lunch we packed up and drove north along the Range Road. This drive is spectacular. Much of the road stays well above 9,000' and rolls along the top of the ridgeline with expansive views of the Snowcrest range to the west, and the Madisons to the east. The Gravellys themselves are, for the most part, a friendlier looking range. The are less jagged than their brethren on either side and feel more accessible, yet no less adventurous.<br />
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One of the highest elevation marathons in the country (averages over 9,000') runs along this dirt road and seems like it would be fantastic. Plus they have one of the <a href="https://www.themadisonmarathon.com/">funniest taglines</a> ever on their homepage. Fortunately for us, we were driving along the afternoon after the race and benefited from the porta-potties left out for Monday pickup.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfezuNtVpdg_zbEms7dlium-5ABpICMkBeooeLxmRnMEZ4-CK_cIlb40qBOMKiG2JQ8IuTOQxE7DZc5wuQoOelEvc4d1A9J9TDBUNjEfp_XLNC33ioQ-6HiBKRS4BL0zMN4QqdjmVMP_t/s1600/20190720_164147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfezuNtVpdg_zbEms7dlium-5ABpICMkBeooeLxmRnMEZ4-CK_cIlb40qBOMKiG2JQ8IuTOQxE7DZc5wuQoOelEvc4d1A9J9TDBUNjEfp_XLNC33ioQ-6HiBKRS4BL0zMN4QqdjmVMP_t/s320/20190720_164147.jpg" title="Black Butte - Gravelly Mountains Montana" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara with Lion Mountain behind</td></tr>
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We camped just near the base of Black Butte, the highest point in the range at 10,542'. As I just described, much of the Gravelly Range is rolling and friendly. Black Butte is not. Probably because the surrounding terrain appears more gently, the abrupt mass of black rock jutting out of the ground is harsh on the senses. To me it seemed like a peak that belonged in one of the neighboring ranges, but got stuck in the Gravellys.<br />
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There is an ancient legend of a clear river beneath the mountain the flows over a bed of gold and gravel. While the river of gravel can be traced along the top of the range, no river of gold has been found. Yet! Geologically speaking the mountain is volcanic and also (supposedly, just like the golden river) sits upon a couple deeply hidden geysers.<br />
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The afternoon of our arrival Sara, my parents, Zeno (our dog), and I set out for the summit. While the exposed eastern face of the peak looked ominous, I could see a faint game trail across the upper third of it, and I figured there had to be a way up since the road was so close. Sure enough we followed a meandering trail of cairns to the southeastern side of the peak. As the vegetation gave way to loose gravel a steep trail emerged that was wider and more defined than I expected.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBwL9ymgUFrYFwdl6ZG7RZGS1SVcmkI9o-l800ZVBL-U4dGC-c7eoVWcUtaFC5iMle7qij8M83Qly5GAvT3iPEfqY7iBuERT0JVn8Mf8TwGA2rSpA1IV64vT4hx8S2IV3MRCTYfu8xgm5/s1600/20190720_174144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBwL9ymgUFrYFwdl6ZG7RZGS1SVcmkI9o-l800ZVBL-U4dGC-c7eoVWcUtaFC5iMle7qij8M83Qly5GAvT3iPEfqY7iBuERT0JVn8Mf8TwGA2rSpA1IV64vT4hx8S2IV3MRCTYfu8xgm5/s320/20190720_174144.jpg" title="Black Butte - Gravelly Mountains Montana" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Zeno likes the mountains</td></tr>
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From there it was a steep, but straightforward way up. The trail crossed the face and dumped us onto the summit plateau. A more gradual slope took us to the top with 360 degree views of peaks and the strong smell of mountain goat.<br />
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I loved having my parents join in for a Montana Mountain Project high point. One of my hopes is to share a summit with as many different people as I can, and sharing part of this with my parents was wonderful. Then I immediately got jealous of them as the next day they explored the iconic Sphinx in the Madison range while Sara and I drove back to work. Unfair!<br />
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Black Butte also pushed me over halfway to completing the Montana Mountain Project! 33/64 Peaks done!<br />
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<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-9239746347299883252019-06-20T21:45:00.000-06:002019-06-20T21:45:00.858-06:00McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHYYqQ0Ifob8oAzz9l87G8DW0h9huCY8zn_66od0KUF-uI62yRu0L9PvcrPwi5yfMoGrFJQscH_Tya9SCbnhQgUQosZyG7irecwEzCRBW99VHH_z-59RW7SD-tLhAaSMwlP_CbLN2mZZ9/s1600/20190526_151852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHYYqQ0Ifob8oAzz9l87G8DW0h9huCY8zn_66od0KUF-uI62yRu0L9PvcrPwi5yfMoGrFJQscH_Tya9SCbnhQgUQosZyG7irecwEzCRBW99VHH_z-59RW7SD-tLhAaSMwlP_CbLN2mZZ9/s400/20190526_151852.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "imposing" McGuire Mountain from Inch Mountain</td></tr>
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There is a large hole in my mind's map of Northwestern Montana. Mentally I have Whitefish 20 minutes from Eureka which I have 20 minutes from Sandpoint, ID. Obviously this is wrong! After exploring McGuire Mountain, the high point in the Salish Range, I how much I did not know.<br />
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The Salish Mountains cover 4000+ square miles with at least 82 named peaks and a whole lot more unnamed points, hills, and mountains in between. There's a lot of land that I cut out of the state in my mental map. </div>
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The Salish range derives its name from the Salish people who were the original inhabitants of this area. Also known as the Flathead, this tribe historically occupied the areas around Flathead Lake. Today much of the area near Flathead Lake, and south of the Salish Mountains, is part of Flathead Reservation; the tribal lands of the Confederation of Salish and Kootenai tribes. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo0nGH56KGJbaJvmVsfYkvA0tuvftw7cPYOviWuPFe6fg8LoZyu63KRtItA4iqFGLRC1sUlrVI8UdP5DALBDuFfAzO3zeAbxwMq462lhGNIzeAui-LnUZ_pEb-Zo54evVclgV5jz3ek3O/s1600/20190526_130913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo0nGH56KGJbaJvmVsfYkvA0tuvftw7cPYOviWuPFe6fg8LoZyu63KRtItA4iqFGLRC1sUlrVI8UdP5DALBDuFfAzO3zeAbxwMq462lhGNIzeAui-LnUZ_pEb-Zo54evVclgV5jz3ek3O/s400/20190526_130913.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth and Leah checking out the quarry</td></tr>
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Most of the mountains in the range consist of rounded, treed summits. But McGuire Mountain and some of the other higher peaks open up to grassy slopes that typically afford views of the surrounding valleys and lakes. The day we opted to climb McGuire there was not a view to be had.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FG4Dn03rqbTYOP9lMXzWHtf6OXCgkwbXKnReWIHZFb_fZ2U6RRWD_uhFul73AlpnQaEC25zcAbHn3lrjo_LjakRVPmN3fCXIS3VQsrx3vqPYttn2XME5fu8tmfchkUiDipcKwF_vZXUk/s1600/20190526_131223%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FG4Dn03rqbTYOP9lMXzWHtf6OXCgkwbXKnReWIHZFb_fZ2U6RRWD_uhFul73AlpnQaEC25zcAbHn3lrjo_LjakRVPmN3fCXIS3VQsrx3vqPYttn2XME5fu8tmfchkUiDipcKwF_vZXUk/s400/20190526_131223%25281%2529.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many glacier lilies! Seeing them this low did not bode well for our chances in snow</td></tr>
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We met up with our friends, Seth and Leah, in Whitefish and drove out to the shore of Lake Koocanusa (named for the Kootenai, Canadian, and USA lands that the lake touches). After driving down the eastern shore we parked at a roadside trailhead to begin our upward journey. </div>
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Due to a logging operation on the forest road we initially wanted, we opted to get to McGuire Mountain by first summiting Inch Mountain. We had no information on any of the trails in the area, except for what appeared on the USGS and Gazateer maps. We just new we were adding a ton of climbing, and could only hope that no extra bushwhacking or postholing was included. What's another 2,000' of adventure when you're with friends?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwAhjxNaDbZP-a-ti7C7I3GZD6qnmAYw2ZtASxLOq_3rqVF8tPt1-q7P98x92EX_5kShW2djV73xvtaPQyz5tDriYTTpSu4kdrVPjWlzQoOSGW7ujAjmow5Ylk3_S3nkToBuZnfX5lpUr/s1600/20190526_133738%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwAhjxNaDbZP-a-ti7C7I3GZD6qnmAYw2ZtASxLOq_3rqVF8tPt1-q7P98x92EX_5kShW2djV73xvtaPQyz5tDriYTTpSu4kdrVPjWlzQoOSGW7ujAjmow5Ylk3_S3nkToBuZnfX5lpUr/s400/20190526_133738%25280%2529.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the true adventure</td></tr>
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The trail leading away from the road was stellar...for the first 50 yards. My hopes of an obviously maintained trail were quickly dashed, but overall the trail conditions were great, if a bit faint at times. Based on the footprints more moose use the trail now than anything else, except for maybe during hunting season. </div>
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The path alternately lead steep uphill, the switch backed, then traversed, then steep uphill again. I got the feeling that the route was a combination of old logging roads, game trails, and hunting paths from generations past. It was a pleasant bit of "running" though and we enjoyed the somewhat hidden rock formations and lush spring green (it was a long winter!) all while being misted by clouds threatening to do much more. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAaiZpMfYnveji7AJYhYQ0G6plcIP5oirVe9-2NXGp5VlhOdsNZnSgdhlXMqd4BouKEFmdaAvSElbh9Oy3dsk7gWlSzjQVYRG7aWTX9__6CZK5eSGgXmcsM47fu0uky749qWA34jbQK1y/s1600/20190526_140149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAaiZpMfYnveji7AJYhYQ0G6plcIP5oirVe9-2NXGp5VlhOdsNZnSgdhlXMqd4BouKEFmdaAvSElbh9Oy3dsk7gWlSzjQVYRG7aWTX9__6CZK5eSGgXmcsM47fu0uky749qWA34jbQK1y/s400/20190526_140149.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerging onto windy the ridgeline from the safety of the trees</td></tr>
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After nearly 3,000' we reached the high point of the trail and opted to bypass the summit of Inch Mountain on the way out, making McGuire the priority. We struggled a bit to find our running legs again as we descended down to the pass between Inch and McGuire, but made good time. A few times we passed through groves of shorter denser trees, which told the tale of the logging history in the area. </div>
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A quick food break at the road fueled us for the initial climb up McGuire. Crossing the road not only meant that we began ascending again, but it also meant that the quality of trail drastically improved. Apparently McGuire Mountain is much more popular than Inch Mountain. After a mile or so we ran into the cut sides of a shallow quarry. A quick search of Montana mining claims lists this area as "unspecified claims" so we can only guess at what was mined, but both copper and gold were mined nearby. For us it was the first opening in the trees since we left the highway so we took some time to appreciate the additional visibility.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen_-UcAR7dLx3EoImwG_lYwbFBNKLhlpIXMbMipQiAtyf6q9s9SOi4_8zgdhA75VrxFQ5FiexToP7ldPUUUNQ5KNXD9-SiqAtqu9i44f5a67qFy1pGW5qn6TTrYIJ1_TJoMGo1o0dmpNe/s1600/20190526_141455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen_-UcAR7dLx3EoImwG_lYwbFBNKLhlpIXMbMipQiAtyf6q9s9SOi4_8zgdhA75VrxFQ5FiexToP7ldPUUUNQ5KNXD9-SiqAtqu9i44f5a67qFy1pGW5qn6TTrYIJ1_TJoMGo1o0dmpNe/s400/20190526_141455.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of McGuire Mountain - Peak 32 of 64 in my Montana Mountain Project</td></tr>
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The sky was still spitting at us as we continued and not long after the quarry we started seeing glacier lilies. A smattering of lilies quickly turned into the largest concentration of glacier lilies I have ever seen. A small field of solid yellow clung to a thin layer of duff along a rock layer, all of which would have been enjoyable, except that this was 1,000' lower than I hoped to see the little flower. Glacier lilies emerge just after the snow melts so if there are a bunch of glacier lilies one can surmise that the snow level is not much higher than where you are. We had enough climbing left to reach the summit that seeing glacier lilies told me we would soon be postholing.</div>
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Sure enough we found the snow a few minutes later. The last 1.5 miles to the ridge was a deep slog. Fortunately Seth has extra reserves of energy and broke trail for us the whole way. A few random feet of exposed trail and tree cuts helped us stay on the path, but otherwise it was a choose-your-own-adventure part of the day. The occasional bits of dirt we did see hinted at a well maintained trail: something that would be fun to come back and revisit when snow didn't cover it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v_UAAIF7sxb-7GCcE7RDyrF7I6HCMfybnhyphenhyphenza_799kZFlkdoTny2DqTo1fxRT7Fl_iuvPV6XhJjpGi6lzwSLIfP7KhkqzRroTTKf8ot0j3lSJyJYBYeaAD3bh6m8mbqtnxtm5RgRp2Re/s1600/20190526_141707%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5v_UAAIF7sxb-7GCcE7RDyrF7I6HCMfybnhyphenhyphenza_799kZFlkdoTny2DqTo1fxRT7Fl_iuvPV6XhJjpGi6lzwSLIfP7KhkqzRroTTKf8ot0j3lSJyJYBYeaAD3bh6m8mbqtnxtm5RgRp2Re/s400/20190526_141707%25280%2529.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best visibility we had on the plateau</td></tr>
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The summit of McGuire Mountain consists of a long ridgeline with three high points. We made our way across the ridge through low, swirling, snow-filled clouds. The wind whipping against our already cold and wet legs promised to do long term damage if we lingered above treeline too long. We hurried across the ridge plateau as best we could considering the feeling in our toes was long gone and every third step gave way in the snow.<br />
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I caught a glimpse of the lookout tower, but otherwise the clouds obscured all visibility on top. At one point the Salish mountains had over 50 fire lookout towers, but with spotting planes and cell phones there is less need for manned towers. The one on McGuire Mountain is no longer used as a fire lookout, but is available for rent to weary travelers (reservations required). I wish we had known rental was a possibility because warming up away from the wind sounded like a grand idea at that time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRryIpYfQfnkP8EWz12SG8RUSW5hgpLHRLALPlYtHZ7Cl3hCV8SWZlL3axzMCYWILQv1vX1IBtPYLUWvXNVPnuTaqS0hPk94wyXBjPpkkU1jsniVXFo5jriTsF0eEtbzJTR-yIMElEoIB/s1600/20190526_141838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRryIpYfQfnkP8EWz12SG8RUSW5hgpLHRLALPlYtHZ7Cl3hCV8SWZlL3axzMCYWILQv1vX1IBtPYLUWvXNVPnuTaqS0hPk94wyXBjPpkkU1jsniVXFo5jriTsF0eEtbzJTR-yIMElEoIB/s400/20190526_141838.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working back along the ridge line as quick as possible</td></tr>
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<br />After a quick summit picture at 6991' we hurried back along the ridge line. The clouds parted below us for a quick glimpse of surrounding mountains and scars from old logging operations, but just as quickly we were back in the mist.<br />
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Our top priority was getting down low enough to be off the snow where we could let the thawing process take place. I can't say our descent was graceful, but we did get off that mountain pretty quick! Before too long we were back down to the road at the pass and climbing the lesser single track back up to Inch Mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6p7bK8qiaLlDZMnEKvQLN7Kot9PFv6FcEyzEF6l599rQ87-A-ERQHnQttK4O-iSML64zX9cFcUbRwP85UUH7CpNQV0zuEGxoRDRwJgx3wluAg9UP7PAQfyhoa7d_yeOpcTCteWpfhdch/s1600/20190526_155309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6p7bK8qiaLlDZMnEKvQLN7Kot9PFv6FcEyzEF6l599rQ87-A-ERQHnQttK4O-iSML64zX9cFcUbRwP85UUH7CpNQV0zuEGxoRDRwJgx3wluAg9UP7PAQfyhoa7d_yeOpcTCteWpfhdch/s400/20190526_155309.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We think this is the top of Inch Mountain?</td></tr>
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We opted to wander the quarter mile off trail to visit the summit of Inch Mountain. A short bit of jumping downfall allowed us to catch a game trail that took us to the top, or is that the top? Is this higher? Where's the top???<br />
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The summit of Inch Mountain consisted of four or five short hills spread across a 200 yard area. Each seemingly taller than the others around it, until you stood on top of it. Maybe that's how Inch got its name; each mound was an inch taller than the next.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HRLANFiZx6PwbmOyL_klKwNnXgX0thWo-1ajZMhiii8Whq5yLg7j0eR_xMfmMVLzIFlsSXNh-uEaTQFZl7mWULUuMfsmHNdwMghacooBi2z3hGhAjGzP7IxM2ZlNmqaHhm_-L1URI5M1/s1600/20190526_163457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HRLANFiZx6PwbmOyL_klKwNnXgX0thWo-1ajZMhiii8Whq5yLg7j0eR_xMfmMVLzIFlsSXNh-uEaTQFZl7mWULUuMfsmHNdwMghacooBi2z3hGhAjGzP7IxM2ZlNmqaHhm_-L1URI5M1/s400/20190526_163457.jpg" title="McGuire Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending Inch Mountain along the cutting boundary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Although the Salish Mountains don't have the same prominence, or imposing rock faces of surrounding ranges, the trail system and easy (drive time is the hardest thing) access make for a fun way to get in some quality miles with stunning views. I say stunning views because the next morning we ventured up another peak and were able to see the far off Cabinets like they were only a few miles away. Standing on top of McGuire we would have been able to see the Flathead Range, the Whitefish Range, and the Cabinets. We had an adventure in the snow, but it's worth the trip to go when it's clear and have some fun as well. </div>
Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-44225484919623637002019-06-05T10:03:00.000-06:002019-06-05T10:03:39.417-06:00Albert Point<div style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 28px; padding: 0px;">
<i><span style="color: white;">This was originally posted on my <a href="https://alpinerunningguides.com/2019/06/05/albert-point/">Alpine Running Guides</a> website...</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Frequently overlooked, but worth the trip are the trails in the northern Grave Creek Range (a sub-range of the Bitterroot Mountains) just west of Missoula. These mountains comprise the ridgeline extending north from Blue Mountain all the way to Alberton.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">While the high points of the range remain snow covered until the first few days of June most years, some of the lower points melt out early exposing a few wonderful routes that need some love. One of these is the Albert Point loop.</span></div>
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<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1143" class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_1143" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 3823px;"><img alt="Albert Creek Trail" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1143" data-attachment-id="1143" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"SM-G930V","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1559144610","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.2","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.0024570024570025","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Albert Creek Trail" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?fit=819%2C447&ssl=1" data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?fit=300%2C164&ssl=1" data-orig-file="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?fit=3823%2C2086&ssl=1" data-orig-size="3823,2086" data-permalink="https://alpinerunningguides.com/2019/06/05/albert-point/albert-creek-trail/" height="390" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" src="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?resize=819%2C447&ssl=1" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?w=3823&ssl=1 3823w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?resize=300%2C164&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?resize=768%2C419&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?resize=1024%2C559&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?resize=600%2C327&ssl=1 600w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?w=1638&ssl=1 1638w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Trail.jpg?w=2457&ssl=1 2457w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none; vertical-align: middle;" width="716" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-1143" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Bear left to Albert Point, right to Petty Mountain</span></figcaption></figure><br />
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<span style="color: white;">This 10.7 mile loop begins 4.5 miles up Albert Creek when the main road curves to the north. The first mile or so of the loop stays on smaller two track before climbing steeply into a single track trail. The abrupt climb eases up upon reaching an old logging road and the next gentle traverse gives ample opportunity to appreciate the views deep into the steep sides of the Albert Creek drainage. This traverse also offers the first glimpse of the top of Albert Point.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Although the trail is beginning to lose ground to encroaching plant life the tread is still easily found and the trail junctions are hard to miss. The first junction to be aware of is about 2.5 miles in. Take a left to stay on trail 719, NOT 731. 731 Leads up to Petty Mountain and big snow drifts in the spring.</span></div>
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<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1142" class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_1142" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 4032px;"><img alt="Albert Creek" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1142" data-attachment-id="1142" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"SM-G930V","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1559145126","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.2","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.0064935064935065","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Albert Creek" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?fit=819%2C461&ssl=1" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?fit=4032%2C2268&ssl=1" data-orig-size="4032,2268" data-permalink="https://alpinerunningguides.com/2019/06/05/albert-point/albert-creek/" height="402" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" src="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?resize=819%2C461&ssl=1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?w=4032&ssl=1 4032w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?w=1638&ssl=1 1638w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek.jpg?w=2457&ssl=1 2457w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none; vertical-align: middle;" width="716" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-1142" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Shady and cool Albert Creek</span></figcaption></figure><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Unfortunately 719 leads back down to Albert Creek. Although it’s painful to lose the elevation you just gained when you know you have to regain it, the bottom of the creek offers a nice shady break for a few minutes from the exposed slopes of the mountains.</span></div>
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<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1141" class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_1141" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 4032px;"><img alt="Albert Creek Tie" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1141" data-attachment-id="1141" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"SM-G930V","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1559146172","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.2","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.0031847133757962","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Albert Creek Tie" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?fit=819%2C461&ssl=1" data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-orig-file="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?fit=4032%2C2268&ssl=1" data-orig-size="4032,2268" data-permalink="https://alpinerunningguides.com/2019/06/05/albert-point/albert-creek-tie/" height="402" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" src="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?resize=819%2C461&ssl=1" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?w=4032&ssl=1 4032w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1 600w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?w=1638&ssl=1 1638w, https://i1.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Creek-Tie.jpg?w=2457&ssl=1 2457w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none; vertical-align: middle;" width="716" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-1141" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Trail junction at the ridge, go left for Albert Point</span></figcaption></figure><br />
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<span style="color: white;">The climb out of Albert Creek is long, but never too steep. During the climb keep an eye out for pleasant views of Petty Mountain and other points along the top of the Grave Creek Range. You can start planning your next adventure now!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Upon reaching the ridgeline turn left and head up toward Albert Point. Right takes you up to the main Grave Creek ridgeline, which can be connected to Petty Mountain then back to trail 731. So if you want a bigger loop….</span></div>
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<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1140" class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_1140" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 4032px;"><img alt="Albert Point Summit Push" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1140" data-attachment-id="1140" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"SM-G930V","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1559147062","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.2","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.00042662116040956","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Albert Point Summit Push" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?fit=819%2C461&ssl=1" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?fit=4032%2C2268&ssl=1" data-orig-size="4032,2268" data-permalink="https://alpinerunningguides.com/2019/06/05/albert-point/albert-point-summit-push/" height="402" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" src="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?resize=819%2C461&ssl=1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?w=4032&ssl=1 4032w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?w=1638&ssl=1 1638w, https://i0.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-Summit-Push.jpg?w=2457&ssl=1 2457w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none; vertical-align: middle;" width="716" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-1140" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">When the trees clear you know you are close to Albert Point</span></figcaption></figure><br />
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<span style="color: white;">There are a couple false summits on your way up to Albert Point so don’t get too excited until you have unobstructed vistas all around. When the trees give way to arrowleaf balsam root and views of the Missoula valley you know you are there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">To get down you can either descend the way you came up, or continue on the trail to the East. After a couple steep drops the trail emerges onto an old logging road that will be your trail for the rest of the descent. Just keep bearing left.</span></div>
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<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1139" class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_1139" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; max-width: 100%; width: 4032px;"><img alt="Albert Point - View of Missoula" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1139" data-attachment-id="1139" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"SM-G930V","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1559147858","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.2","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.00036873156342183","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Albert Point – View of Missoula" data-large-file="https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?fit=819%2C461&ssl=1" data-medium-file="https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-orig-file="https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?fit=4032%2C2268&ssl=1" data-orig-size="4032,2268" data-permalink="https://alpinerunningguides.com/2019/06/05/albert-point/albert-point-view-of-missoula/" height="402" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" src="https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?resize=819%2C461&ssl=1" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?w=4032&ssl=1 4032w, https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1 600w, https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?w=1638&ssl=1 1638w, https://i2.wp.com/alpinerunningguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Albert-Point-View-of-Missoula.jpg?w=2457&ssl=1 2457w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none; vertical-align: middle;" width="716" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-1139" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0.8075em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">View of Frenchtown and Missoula from Albert Point</span></figcaption></figure><br />
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<span style="color: white;">The road becomes overgrown in a few spots, but the worst is up high. Once you navigate around a few downed trees the remaining miles are smooth sailing. Assuming you picked the correct logging road you will pop out right where you parked your car at the big bend in Albert Creek Road.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Details for the Albert Point Loop:</span></div>
<ul style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 21px; padding-left: 1.5em;">
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Distance: 10.68 miles</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Elevation: 2,933′ of climbing</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Water: Albert Creek is your only water source. The first mile parallels the creek, and then the trail crosses the creek around mile 3.5.</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Surface: Single-track trail, double track, and old logging road</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Getting there: From Reserve and Mullan in Missoula drive West until you reach Kona Ranch Road. Turn left on Kona Ranch Road then bear right when needed to stay on Big Flat Road. At six miles cross Dry Gulch and bear right on South Side Road. After 4.5 miles from Dry Gulch turn left on Albert Creek Road. The big turn in Albert Creek road (unmarked trailhead) is 4.5 miles up. If you don’t want to do the loop and simply want to do an out-and-back you can drive farther up the two track paralleling the creek.</span></li>
</ul>
Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-77960987865181806662019-05-28T11:28:00.000-06:002019-05-28T11:28:35.425-06:00Monture Creek<i>This was originally posted to my <a href="https://alpinerunningguides.com/2019/05/28/monture-creek/">Alpine Running Guides</a> website.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8oTGJlJH6F7uy_VPR903p4Q2vIGKpvcVWSDTwvbGmoW0spgcoLYUyaKis-Rq2LntVDL3AwH0JDdZqUd-3ffoEw-WgRFiek0Z-SpdjhufBFCQppB7iq2JLrOJPeSCYNRx4b4Wrx0RYHvO/s1600/20190516_114302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8oTGJlJH6F7uy_VPR903p4Q2vIGKpvcVWSDTwvbGmoW0spgcoLYUyaKis-Rq2LntVDL3AwH0JDdZqUd-3ffoEw-WgRFiek0Z-SpdjhufBFCQppB7iq2JLrOJPeSCYNRx4b4Wrx0RYHvO/s400/20190516_114302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through the Rice Ridge fire</td></tr>
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Monture Creek flows South out of the Scapegoat Wilderness and flows into the Blackfoot River. Unlike many mountain creeks, this waterway loses elevation slowly so the valley is long and deep. This makes the trail along the valley floor prime for easy an easy day out-and-back run.</div>
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The first mile or so of trail is on an old logging road that cuts a straight swath along the base of the East side of the valley. Eventually the trail narrows and become more engaging with occasional need to watch your footing<span style="box-sizing: inherit;">. During the spring a myriad of creeks and trickles flow under and across the trail from unseen peaks above. The first few miles are vibrant green. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXubEPWRCp4pLCFa67MdX8BsBE1buZg1IW-vvqtsYdDsJ6Vspm_PJohqEOYratkO0p7rxmmxFtvMPBP0L2uZpA3GuE7Bxl1zrpVbHB0Jw9_2c8Dqm4WjBDupq0eApfAMPhtZhyrVA0jVUb/s1600/20190516_114452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXubEPWRCp4pLCFa67MdX8BsBE1buZg1IW-vvqtsYdDsJ6Vspm_PJohqEOYratkO0p7rxmmxFtvMPBP0L2uZpA3GuE7Bxl1zrpVbHB0Jw9_2c8Dqm4WjBDupq0eApfAMPhtZhyrVA0jVUb/s400/20190516_114452.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runoff from an unseen peak</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Not long after the trail narrows the path enters the charred remains from the 2017 Rice Ridge fire. Undergrowth is starting to re-emerge from the ground and the green against the blackened remnants of trees is jarringly beautiful. Although the absence of a crown layer makes for hot days in the summer, in the spring it means that sight lines are more open. Now you can see more of the rock formations, meandering streams, and wildlife. </span>Eight and half miles in, at the junction of the Limestone Pass Trail is Burnt Cabin. This is a Forest Service maintained cabin and a good turnaround point for a medium long run day.<br /><br />
Details from the trailhead to Burnt Cabin:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Distance: 17.2 mile roundtrip</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Elevation: 1,342′ of climbing</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Water: water sources are plentiful with access to the creek, and streams crossing the trail in spring.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Surface: Single-track trail</li>
<li style="box-sizing: inherit;">Getting there: From Missoula drive East on Hwy 200. 12.5 miles after Clearwater Junction turn left (North) on Monture Road. Drive 7.5 miles to the trailhead on good dirt road following the signs to the campground/trailhead.</li>
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Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-71620580084853558642019-03-31T21:05:00.000-06:002019-03-31T21:05:39.555-06:00Mount Jefferson - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp1WtIdIgYa6BSdTi3W0AdwbHZ4xunXc4IEmh8PliHGttOg0zANuzGTE0yY2FWZ7uXIgCS-74yioK0UVtH5y4N9ao8_E9NR0KOBB-PSA_Cin54BdaS-H2XrEUYikz4tlSowTSjIUqaZ7o/s1600/20180903_124235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp1WtIdIgYa6BSdTi3W0AdwbHZ4xunXc4IEmh8PliHGttOg0zANuzGTE0yY2FWZ7uXIgCS-74yioK0UVtH5y4N9ao8_E9NR0KOBB-PSA_Cin54BdaS-H2XrEUYikz4tlSowTSjIUqaZ7o/s400/20180903_124235.jpg" title="Mount Jefferson - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara heading towards Mount Jefferson</td></tr>
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Hidden to the West of Yellowstone National Park is the small Centennial Mountain Range. Although often overlooked because of its proximity to the National Park and the larger Madison mountains not far off, this range offers a quiet experience that isn't too far off the beaten path.<br />
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After the <a href="https://runtherut.com/">Rut Mountain Runs</a> last year we took the long way back to Missoula and drove south to Island Park where we connected with Sawtelle Mountain road, which gives Mount Jefferson relatively easy access for it's 3,380' of prominence. The radio towers on the top of neighboring Sawtelle Mountain require year-round access so the FAA maintains a massive dirt road year-round. From the trailhead near the top of the road we were able to follow the friendly trail along an old logging or mining road (we didn't even realize it was a road bed until the return trip) through stunted fir and a few whitebark pine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGv__yCtipjkb63L_FoOYgQtX6U7KAuSLE-WrcdOQPhyphenhyphenKjOOW35pjl9zWy-Gpm6FkQw4OK4nSrIUK5iDP8aISsL_BSg7yOwYmpmfy513Qb_lPNt43TXIWW7fGUqZBbruT1lZGmvfvzt-D/s1600/20180903_115610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGv__yCtipjkb63L_FoOYgQtX6U7KAuSLE-WrcdOQPhyphenhyphenKjOOW35pjl9zWy-Gpm6FkQw4OK4nSrIUK5iDP8aISsL_BSg7yOwYmpmfy513Qb_lPNt43TXIWW7fGUqZBbruT1lZGmvfvzt-D/s400/20180903_115610.jpg" title="Mount Jefferson - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta love trails that start up high!</td></tr>
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With tired legs from working and racing the Rut we opted - not that we had a choice on tired legs - for a more casual pace and spent a lot of time looking at the distant Tetons. The relatively small Centennial Mountains form the Continental Divide as well as the boundary between two mighty rivers in this area. To the west are the headwaters of the Snake River and draining the east side of Mount Jefferson is Jefferson Creek, the main tributary to the Missouri River. So although it's a small range the geological significance of this range is great as a divider between important waterways.<br />
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The range itself runs East to West in a land where most ranges run North/South. This is more than just a rebellious phase, however, as the Centennials are thought to have been formed by the movement of the Yellowstone Hotspot, which also formed the Island Park Caldera (yes, the one that erupted and swallowed Woody Harrelson in the movie <i>2012</i>). Ash from this 2.1 million year old eruption has been found as far as St. Louis and Southern California. The range was likely formed as hot magma flowed down the western slope of the caldera; the same slope that would form the Centennials and Mount Jefferson. The mountains in this area are covered with a 1,000' thick layer of block lava and are deeply cut by glaciers. While hiking the <a href="http://cdthike.blogspot.com/2014/07/idaho-montana-no-idaho-now-montanaboth.html">CDT</a> in 2014 we hiked up the nearby Hellroaring Canyon and were treated to the leftovers of that glacial retreat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIlFA_Jw4Jl7uxAkUVI0WON0jgFABWmiQAeaecEyHGVRrukCUKDlelP7CBi_zAm2q9JPlIlYOhZwgFmdKfvKU-KIWH0PKn5Rqaw4SRD-fDzjiLCccpiUOfL2-6wdKJEY51enyezx_RY96/s1600/20180903_120255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIlFA_Jw4Jl7uxAkUVI0WON0jgFABWmiQAeaecEyHGVRrukCUKDlelP7CBi_zAm2q9JPlIlYOhZwgFmdKfvKU-KIWH0PKn5Rqaw4SRD-fDzjiLCccpiUOfL2-6wdKJEY51enyezx_RY96/s400/20180903_120255.jpg" title="swallowed Woody Harrelson in the movie" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out over Henry's Lake</td></tr>
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After following the trail for a couple miles we veered off and stayed on the ridgeline (apparently the lip of the caldera) as the trail turned North and dropped down into Rock Creek Basin. We quickly climbed above the subalpine fir and continued hiking through what was left of the summer grasses. The slope to our left (Idaho) was steep, but looked friendly while the Montana side fell away sharply down into Rock Creek Basin.<br />
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The summit of Mount Jefferson is actually comprised of three different points that wrap around the western edge of the basin in an impressive 1,000' cirque. We reached the highest of the high points first and at 10,203' stood on the top of the Centennials. Luckily we chose a day that afforded us incredible views of the Tetons, <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/point-south-of-sheep-mountain-montana.html">Henry's Lake Range</a>, Madisons, the Gravellys, the <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2018/01/eighteenmile-peak-montana-mountain.html">Beaverheads</a>, and deep into Yellowstone. Not to mention we could see the braids of the Snake River forming and shimmering off in the distance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKuWaUX_yYbVih5cYM2b5nvTkiXA_Yilx3n3tZdkr8DuQAdzPYN4mZiBmU3ykAEsOEDd9xkbDZei8kEa5UaK3ODbvvrpoZR-i7FtkUeoECrhAVBbx20xpkpS9OmUOi9OsiTvbzw46_61t/s1600/Point5984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKuWaUX_yYbVih5cYM2b5nvTkiXA_Yilx3n3tZdkr8DuQAdzPYN4mZiBmU3ykAEsOEDd9xkbDZei8kEa5UaK3ODbvvrpoZR-i7FtkUeoECrhAVBbx20xpkpS9OmUOi9OsiTvbzw46_61t/s320/Point5984.jpg" title="Mount Jefferson - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone know what the cuts are for in this hillside?</td></tr>
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Looking at Point 9584 just to our northeast there appeared to be a series of logging or mining roads cut into the slope that reminded me of ancient irrigation terracing in Arizona or China. I haven't found a satisfactory answer as to what these are so if you have any idea please let me know!<br />
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Instead of following our same path back we dropped down into Rock Creek Basin and hiked across the basin bottom until rejoining the trail. This was a pleasant way to go in September, but the myriad of low hollow spots hinted at a boggy swamp in late spring. We would think twice about hiking back this same route during the spring thaw!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQZaqclk0NxxBmUoIh23GcJbL07LZA4Ea4F41odfd7gJRnZE2wEorfJo_3s_g3QLopiD6MnhGcbIVDD8F1an7Fw_Z5o4TCFdI1ci6w0sTthzy7cFq-fB1-8li_AyGXXNHKaa0nz8t0VqQ/s1600/20180903_131429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQZaqclk0NxxBmUoIh23GcJbL07LZA4Ea4F41odfd7gJRnZE2wEorfJo_3s_g3QLopiD6MnhGcbIVDD8F1an7Fw_Z5o4TCFdI1ci6w0sTthzy7cFq-fB1-8li_AyGXXNHKaa0nz8t0VqQ/s400/20180903_131429.jpg" title="Mount Jefferson - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Mount Jefferson</td></tr>
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After returning to the car we drove the last mile or so to the top of Sawtelle Peak in order to get another view of Mount Jefferson and the mysterious lines in the ground. The different perspective did nothing to help reveal the purpose of the cuts in the mountainside so we got back in the car and drove back to Missoula.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKBffcKDMkfj_3S3-MDBrRhbMl7E91fwnAmyGYwhe8Jfrdw2QrSee8HjkuleFl6vzmINmAm0XTMsi78DCZuf2hSLAX9eqvmmFGEDOyB0ZcXlcsPnRdfo1VnIdOozZr_khesnI_X6TYaYx/s1600/20180903_131021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKBffcKDMkfj_3S3-MDBrRhbMl7E91fwnAmyGYwhe8Jfrdw2QrSee8HjkuleFl6vzmINmAm0XTMsi78DCZuf2hSLAX9eqvmmFGEDOyB0ZcXlcsPnRdfo1VnIdOozZr_khesnI_X6TYaYx/s400/20180903_131021.jpg" title="Mount Jefferson - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara out on the next point of Mount Jefferson with the Continental Divide behind</td></tr>
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<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-16073339102326665922019-03-25T09:28:00.000-06:002019-03-25T09:28:27.171-06:00Ruby BM - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2PVTMkMus9ermcCcgpdt-oNF2F9XzEW7hcXZxxQHuj7CvKTmWSLsLK9hyphenhyphenJV8XXLXVroRjaCzIgyZDlwuKfqlD5jKHCvFLmPdt8ffC5IUxwS-weYVDL4e-sXyIqtMMqRde6goTAGNjMre/s1600/20180825_135311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2PVTMkMus9ermcCcgpdt-oNF2F9XzEW7hcXZxxQHuj7CvKTmWSLsLK9hyphenhyphenJV8XXLXVroRjaCzIgyZDlwuKfqlD5jKHCvFLmPdt8ffC5IUxwS-weYVDL4e-sXyIqtMMqRde6goTAGNjMre/s400/20180825_135311.jpg" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara approaching the summit of Ruby BM.</td></tr>
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Friday nights are for planning. We often find ourselves sitting around the table looking at maps and weather reports trying to plan where to go in the most ideal conditions. In August we found ourselves taking a gamble on the Ruby Mountains in southwestern Montana in the hopes of finding the most pure air in the state. We gambled wrong, but still had a wonderful day up high.<br />
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The Ruby Mountains lie southwest of the Tobacco Root Mountains near Sheridan and are surrounded by a mess of rivers. The Ruby River, Beaverhead River, and Big Hole River all swirl and merge in the valleys around the Ruby Mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iu5LCwr7RjkR0nhV8txj1RKxVvXe_sFuJBjQnRCkihGrCce2bP9NT-p5OSRkGBo2v4TBDEc0mvC2I5UEYmuEjt358kmUca1ti3e32DUqOKXKEEFS5c3f_tE5GeseOwnhdbmUS89mm2CU/s1600/20180825_114911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iu5LCwr7RjkR0nhV8txj1RKxVvXe_sFuJBjQnRCkihGrCce2bP9NT-p5OSRkGBo2v4TBDEc0mvC2I5UEYmuEjt358kmUca1ti3e32DUqOKXKEEFS5c3f_tE5GeseOwnhdbmUS89mm2CU/s320/20180825_114911.jpg" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting up Laurin Canyon</td></tr>
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We approached from the east side of the range, south of Sheridan, where the mountains rise rather abruptly from the alluvial ranch lands below. The northern section of the range, which contains the unnamed high point (Ruby BM), trends towards the steep and formidable side, where the southern end of the range is more rolling and friendly. Overall the range is dry, however, with only a few springs running.<br />
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After passing through Sheridan and Laurin, we turned West and drove straight at the range. Behind us lay Alder Gulch and Virginia City. It was here that William Fairweather stumbled on a large gold deposit in 1863 kicking off a gold rush to the area that resulted in $10,000,000 in gold being pulled out of the ground during the first year of mining. Ultimately Alder Gulch became the largest gold placer deposit ever discovered and the ensuing population boom led to Virginia City becoming the second Montana Territorial Capital in 1864.<br />
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We left the gold dust in our review mirror as the Ruby's grew in our windshield. We crossed through a gate onto BLM public land (BLM lands make up 12% of the country) and drove a few more miles on a ranch road before parking in the bottom of Porier Canyon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIJxcw0tyicLHpZl9a4FbML4RxSuIhkmB1isKPpvv-PMxp23uZktyHz8D3uSkBF0jrUq4x_PrK8lH4FNEGi9A44rtsXzGHLh-V0lV2FizspEfK0TKwAKooTnnW8q7sn4JpEB6VsKI5TgK/s1600/20180825_122914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIJxcw0tyicLHpZl9a4FbML4RxSuIhkmB1isKPpvv-PMxp23uZktyHz8D3uSkBF0jrUq4x_PrK8lH4FNEGi9A44rtsXzGHLh-V0lV2FizspEfK0TKwAKooTnnW8q7sn4JpEB6VsKI5TgK/s320/20180825_122914.jpg" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow in Laurin Canyon</td></tr>
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Instead of heading straight up Porier, however, we trekked across North, paralleling the Ruby Range to the mouth of Laurin Canyon. There we left the arid ranch lands behind and began climbing up the shady canyon bottom.<br />
Most of the northern portion of the Rubies are quite dry, but Laurin Canyon does have a couple springs running year round. Since we had Zeno, our dog, with us, we opted to go up the canyon with water then come down Porier, which is dry. We soon found ourselves hopping back and forth across a muddy bottom as a trickle of water flowed beneath our feet. Swarms of gnats and flies buzzed around incessantly in the shady, still canyon, but above the spring they disappeared with the water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2M93jxKiRKKmI6jgEI76A1Lg1Ba3bKshu2PsqnVE1bocoGvUtZYmCtgPWWMuieDdZw0Eie55rBOfZM6aikMXZJS20yXFS7FCoPWDciYMsAno-Sd99_8Zp7R7TOA382G8rZGx96tebXJA/s1600/20180825_123044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2M93jxKiRKKmI6jgEI76A1Lg1Ba3bKshu2PsqnVE1bocoGvUtZYmCtgPWWMuieDdZw0Eie55rBOfZM6aikMXZJS20yXFS7FCoPWDciYMsAno-Sd99_8Zp7R7TOA382G8rZGx96tebXJA/s320/20180825_123044.jpg" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of mining activity in Laurin Canyon</td></tr>
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A mile or two up the canyon we reached an open meadow that marked a fork in the canyon. The north fork led to the base of Laurin Peak, which appears to be the second highest point in the range, but we took the south fork towards the cirque below Ruby BM. Unfortunately the south fork was also the option with a large swath of downfall trees.<br />
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Working off our trusty <i>Peakbagging Montana</i> guidebook, we knew we wanted to head up the slope on our left after a half mile or so, but because of the downfall we chose to climb earlier. Like many of the ranges we have explored in South and Central Montana, what seems like a small, un-impressive mountain range can get real very quickly. We had been climbing up the bottom of the canyon, but the majority of our 3,000' of climbing for the day came in the mile from the valley floor to the summit. We found ourselves holding on to trees and using our hands multiple times just to keep moving forward.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUI-Uk0_5hdVZYak89EOlmFY7MKmmuJM-iHk2-JuF5xZ82xigpl3puCNBW48veAYwD-N6gEbvyfrEwzPznH_PPcukBhz9b-Tkmc7_a1P-9W4uK6YcAFvJsqh4A4Xk2SygMIGzS0ZXhH8p/s1600/20180825_134916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUI-Uk0_5hdVZYak89EOlmFY7MKmmuJM-iHk2-JuF5xZ82xigpl3puCNBW48veAYwD-N6gEbvyfrEwzPznH_PPcukBhz9b-Tkmc7_a1P-9W4uK6YcAFvJsqh4A4Xk2SygMIGzS0ZXhH8p/s320/20180825_134916.jpg" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoulder to the summit with the Tobacco Roots behind.</td></tr>
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Eventually we topped out on a shoulder that led straight to the summit. At this point we were also able to see that the smoke we were trying to avoid in Missoula had followed us and the nearby Tobacco Roots were smudges on the horizon.<br />
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The climb along the shoulder was much friendlier than the initial push out of the canyon and we quickly found ourselves on the top of the Ruby Mountains. Looking around it became very clear that the northern section of the range (where we were standing) was clearly the rugged "mountainous" side of the Rubies while the southern end diminished in size to a series of large rolling ranchland hills. The forested area we had climbed through on the Northeast side of the peak gave way to open slopes on the exposed Southwestern sides of the mountain. And the still air from the canyon bottom did not exist in the gusty higher elevations. It's amazing what an hour of hiking and 3,000 feet of elevation can do to change your surroundings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuS9gXf_H3OLQAhDT279JpJHynl8IC8MA2t-opBueROOPhhu00x4jLOw1luEco3RFGLHkbHkPhwkJCi6_tLfWFDqVjWbiQVUw6inJoEFse13VD18tdV0xZnfj8m4bQVXY6a30v_z6GBKg/s1600/20180825_140019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuS9gXf_H3OLQAhDT279JpJHynl8IC8MA2t-opBueROOPhhu00x4jLOw1luEco3RFGLHkbHkPhwkJCi6_tLfWFDqVjWbiQVUw6inJoEFse13VD18tdV0xZnfj8m4bQVXY6a30v_z6GBKg/s320/20180825_140019.jpg" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of the Ruby Mountains</td></tr>
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Instead of returning down Laurin Canyon we hiked South around the rim of Porier Canyon to until we reached a drainage that ran steeply, but cleanly down into the canyon. After a little bit of pine needle skiing we reached an old mining track that took us gently the rest of the way down.<br />
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Although dry, Porier Canyon is a much more pleasant walk than Laurin Canyon. There is plenty of old mining evidence for history buffs, big fans of rock creating narrow sections for geology nerds, and a variety of flowers, berries, and grasses for biologists. A few of the narrows looked like they had been used as natural corals for livestock over the years by using the steep walls of the canyon for 95% of the fencing.<br />
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Eventually the steep walls and mountain feel of the canyon gave way to the arid plains below and we were bake in high desert. The windshield of our Subaru winked in the smoky sun as we drew closer. Instead of camping in the smoke we had hoped to avoid, we drove back to Missoula where the air had cleared out in our absence. Although we didn't avoid the smoke, we were able to explore some in the Rubies and a day in the mountains is (almost) always worth it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPrkI8IoMdoxJTWd3816syU3UHUjmQcxozNjxSOxgxCTmnUzRFfEQrasiRBotxutGmFMnqgLSTZDEk8JQNYnrlKFBd5kBbrS7IlY6yEcOKFEyxVbcb9ueOXuOoECImdSHmebZyMTgHh1m/s1600/20180825_142224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPrkI8IoMdoxJTWd3816syU3UHUjmQcxozNjxSOxgxCTmnUzRFfEQrasiRBotxutGmFMnqgLSTZDEk8JQNYnrlKFBd5kBbrS7IlY6yEcOKFEyxVbcb9ueOXuOoECImdSHmebZyMTgHh1m/s400/20180825_142224.jpg" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit Selfie</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy47XBbPgjoUyeUzq1QPoegHdw-KA5qlPTBmTsFb1g1-XkF9eNeQb380pCqpjr7IjMpjT-FzACaoBxkm-ub_ydLjtM3Pe_kQao7c8Mk0LZ5kfvwl2LWMs8SXKMiA2WL00fmBiCjdABMrNB/s1600/20180825_142844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy47XBbPgjoUyeUzq1QPoegHdw-KA5qlPTBmTsFb1g1-XkF9eNeQb380pCqpjr7IjMpjT-FzACaoBxkm-ub_ydLjtM3Pe_kQao7c8Mk0LZ5kfvwl2LWMs8SXKMiA2WL00fmBiCjdABMrNB/s400/20180825_142844.jpg" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading south around Porier Canyon </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKCIgGv6T6dlx7O2NVVfMZZmTIzz0ikFLxBadp03pFUXXSmex8wgJJE9ILrkDSOqZsXQBLEEBE2r5XQgBJ88p7T9PY_2oLx6A99yCRKNretSS39omJzQpl8MFece76SBSFZCDSfd8fYvG/s400/20180825_154353.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ruby BM, Ruby Mountains - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of Porier Canyon<br /></td></tr>
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<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-46946137553442789272019-01-28T10:54:00.004-07:002019-01-28T10:55:29.024-07:00Cherry Peak - Montana Mountain Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0SxFl2TPI2vsGlwvYCtHOaadK1-jiadqU2f6U3VbvpuYxUICsveROtA_ftQgXG4gzqRsaaf8HtkQbkqiX30Nz316jn16y0M6c-GZPWpUabUFg_puY5RleugP7d3LZSpt9GZHbeW7-bRp/s1600/20180528_113958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0SxFl2TPI2vsGlwvYCtHOaadK1-jiadqU2f6U3VbvpuYxUICsveROtA_ftQgXG4gzqRsaaf8HtkQbkqiX30Nz316jn16y0M6c-GZPWpUabUFg_puY5RleugP7d3LZSpt9GZHbeW7-bRp/s400/20180528_113958.jpg" title="Cherry Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading towards Penrose</td></tr>
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It turns out there are a lot of mountains in Western Montana. It's easy to drive down I-90, highway 200, or highway 93 and only think about the mountains you can see and not consider the spatial relationship with the rest of state. I can't tell you how long it took before I came to think of the Missions as the land mass that keeps the Swan Valley from being the Flathead Valley, or the Sapphires as the demarcating line between the Bitterroot Valley and the Flint Creek Valley.<br />
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One range I learned about late in the game is the Coeur d'Alene Mountains. Running East/West, this range keeps the St. Regis River from flowing into the Clark Fork River until the resort town of St. Regis where the two rivers merge and turn north and then back west. When driving west on I-90 the CC Divide is on the right side of the road with steep forested slopes. Just on the other side of those slopes is Thompson Falls, Noxon Reservoir, and Plains. Somewhere in between is Cherry Peak and a trail full of downfall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYXp1c5yYId28vC3VNXcoGZSWFKw1QLAs5sRz2smIx22z_YUdzwuVqWxVCxZbheB8JwVmGoM7SseC3-s7lu8HrY4GbaVM8ssNVw5W6t3KEfhthJevOc2oxROKuraEXVSSuotZCbeJN8uD/s1600/20180528_113551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYXp1c5yYId28vC3VNXcoGZSWFKw1QLAs5sRz2smIx22z_YUdzwuVqWxVCxZbheB8JwVmGoM7SseC3-s7lu8HrY4GbaVM8ssNVw5W6t3KEfhthJevOc2oxROKuraEXVSSuotZCbeJN8uD/s400/20180528_113551.jpg" title="Cherry Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Greenwood Hill</td></tr>
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Cherry Peak is in the middle of the 59 square mile Cherry Peak Roadless Area. Established in 1972, the designation caused the cessation of road use and prevented more roads from being built. Roadless Areas have been effective ways to maintain natural resources (timber and wildlife) and recreational opportunities in wild areas that have not been designated Wilderness Areas, but meet minimum requirements for official Wilderness designation. If you want to go down the rabbit hole of roadless areas and their RARE (Roadless Area Review and Evaluation) scores and studies, the Cherry Peak area was initially inventoried under <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=no02AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=cherry+peak+roadless+area&source=bl&ots=cRV6XOEXfA&sig=ACfU3U05IbtpVZR_Pu2vpMMV4KO2GQWQ7w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwizqJeUmYXgAhVzCDQIHXYnBvUQ6AEwDXoECAEQAQ#v=onepage&q=cherry%20peak%20roadless%20area&f=false">RARE No. 213.</a> The RARE inventory breaks down this area based on timber availability, vegetation type, large mammal diversity, and recreation uses. In 1972 the Cherry Peak Roadless Area was found to have light recreational use except for during hunting season and I don't think much has changed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZehoCceYvS3K5l8JLuyZprcfC4mbujT4O4BZVpeUnS5_dHdQTZu74xbTeMe89rqycHYz6VND2BaNkJk6zotNLZE0eUaSW72JF310DKeGp3esJxbamoxptMkRNkpaScR4NYYpXqdpgmAr/s1600/20180528_121650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZehoCceYvS3K5l8JLuyZprcfC4mbujT4O4BZVpeUnS5_dHdQTZu74xbTeMe89rqycHYz6VND2BaNkJk6zotNLZE0eUaSW72JF310DKeGp3esJxbamoxptMkRNkpaScR4NYYpXqdpgmAr/s400/20180528_121650.jpg" title="Cherry Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></div>
The trail we used to access the ridgeline had not been cleared in a few years so we spent the first few miles battling deadfall that all but obscured the trail. Perhaps because of the deadfall, or perhaps because of an old fire, the standing tree cover was thin. This allowed us to see a good distance along the ground, despite being in tree cover.<br />
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Whenever I'm in terrain like this I am positive I am going to see a bear or wolf or something cool. It doesn't actually make any sense, but my thinking goes "I can see farther so all the animals must be hanging out here so I can see them." I fall into this trap in meadows, burn areas, and high alpine areas. This day though it actually worked! As Nate handled the downfall like a pro-steeplechaser and bounded out of sight, Sara and I stopped to catch our breath and looked downhill. A hundred yards down slope I glimpsed movement and saw the back end of a sow and cub dashing down towards as low creek. Bears handle the downed trees much better than we did!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaDJjmYLxJDEchtxYbPNrHYrY_nvazmEhOi2J77WNNBfhb_2RmXUPYcWtV0ho7jjd4g6VUTVEpZXSz-dFAOCaf1lUUR-YvgiIWCLLherG5myo7Z1eL1flA0BneAdWYwqne-MWFmxKmMi0/s1600/20180528_113738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaDJjmYLxJDEchtxYbPNrHYrY_nvazmEhOi2J77WNNBfhb_2RmXUPYcWtV0ho7jjd4g6VUTVEpZXSz-dFAOCaf1lUUR-YvgiIWCLLherG5myo7Z1eL1flA0BneAdWYwqne-MWFmxKmMi0/s640/20180528_113738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Soon we started hiking through patchy snow and then deep snow. Fortunately it was hardpacked and still early so we stayed on top with minimal postholing. We reached the CC Divide Trail, now fully under snow, and turned west to follow that to Greenwood Hill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWLIaPGL9eSH2EXPnM-xBOym0D4_bzmu6OHd7SLh4yt95onGlOfUqMpRKMc5muou2IefZYdVHzTlr0LBjPkoTyWN07gcvSKviW4yS_PHVqcWniTuwbsTtXHkYpZBRmn_22nIv4HZOaSte/s1600/20180528_133800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWLIaPGL9eSH2EXPnM-xBOym0D4_bzmu6OHd7SLh4yt95onGlOfUqMpRKMc5muou2IefZYdVHzTlr0LBjPkoTyWN07gcvSKviW4yS_PHVqcWniTuwbsTtXHkYpZBRmn_22nIv4HZOaSte/s320/20180528_133800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara working through the burn</td></tr>
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The CC Divide is a low ridgeline that divides the Coeur d'Alene Mountains from the Cabinets (hence CC Divide). Along the top of the ridge is a little-known gem of a trail maintained mostly by moto users. With high elevation road access it makes for a great undulating trail with occasional spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. We emerged on to the trail at one of the higher elevation points and were able to clearly see Penrose Peak and Cherry Peak stretched out before us.<br />
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At Greenwood Hill we turned off the CC Divide Trail and worked north towards Penrose. According to the 1972 RARE inventory, Penrose is actually higher than Cherry Peak, but current maps show Cherry as higher. We summitted both just to be safe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIDlT1SN2Zk4X8Abb-5prvSbN02WqY3uCWaHu2KMzIaDfZJcWDYfNHF1NkavcXKkw-JFwuxhPBnDS0ASiZel228sbubc6Z_s8XEmsnSproIwOjV1dDu3EScfCZYaO2vmLae4cycLVKDeP/s1600/20180528_121444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIDlT1SN2Zk4X8Abb-5prvSbN02WqY3uCWaHu2KMzIaDfZJcWDYfNHF1NkavcXKkw-JFwuxhPBnDS0ASiZel228sbubc6Z_s8XEmsnSproIwOjV1dDu3EScfCZYaO2vmLae4cycLVKDeP/s400/20180528_121444.jpg" title="Cherry Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nate working towards Cherry Peak</td></tr>
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On the top of Penrose Peak are the foundations of a fire lookout tower. Erected in 1930, the lookout was a 14x14 wooden box that sat atop rock foundations. This style lookout (L-4) could also sit flat on the ground, or be erected on top of a tower up to 100' high. The foundation on the top of Penrose is actually still in decent shape and is a solid 5' high box.<br />
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From the top of Penrose it was another couple miles of cross country travel to the top of Cherry Peak. We traversed through the 2003 Cherry Peak fire on the south slopes to avoid the rockiest points of the ridge, but otherwise tried to stay on the top of the ridge as we moved west to Cherry Peak. Unlike Penrose, Cherry Peak is very rounded on top and the summit took a bit of "is this spot higher? No, over here, no there!" to find the true high point.<br />
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From the top we enjoyed incredible views on a bluebird day. At the time I didn't have much experience this far west in Montana and spent a few minutes randomly guessing at the names of peaks and ranges from befuddled map recall. I doubt I got any right. Maybe I just need to go back to double check?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WyQmd-rS3wvHMN4kM1bW3MJIJIZIuJS2rI8w7caQhVjP7eH-8HT83lARIp6oXVq-GTAcgWQxQQO9WZwGbaZEe7EMcmNgWyJ58VLE-x_tvOxLUSSeQcKRtYJZ_XTYa7kRngTacwehFjRX/s1600/20180528_140028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WyQmd-rS3wvHMN4kM1bW3MJIJIZIuJS2rI8w7caQhVjP7eH-8HT83lARIp6oXVq-GTAcgWQxQQO9WZwGbaZEe7EMcmNgWyJ58VLE-x_tvOxLUSSeQcKRtYJZ_XTYa7kRngTacwehFjRX/s320/20180528_140028.jpg" title="Cherry Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Cherry Peak</td></tr>
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We retraced our steps on the way down, bypassed Penrose Peak, glissaded a couple snowfields, skipped over the now melting mountain lion prints on the CC Divide Trail, and almost made it out of the downfall without incident. But like any early season adventure walking on loose rocks and logs takes some re-learning and I didn't learn quick enough. A snapped branch lead to deep gouges in my shin and calf that didn't stop oozing for eight hours. Despite vigorously cleaning the wound it took much longer to heal than normal for me and even forced me to shorten and cancel a few runs with swelling over the next few days. A few weeks later (gross part) a piece of stick pushed its way back out of the wound. Once the stick was out everything quickly closed and healed. Now some slight scarring is a reminder for me to watch my step on logs and rocks, especially early season! (and also, <i>actually </i>clean out wounds)Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-38851382587504266352019-01-15T11:36:00.001-07:002019-01-15T11:36:53.945-07:00Crow Peak in the Snow - Montana Mountain Project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2tTyrkIbeVBDTBoiZUFIfwtvuq5u8Lfrj4YN70xFGtcxeIqkDhFwUxlIqQ69FmzJ-UGfnTt6NUPpq98BGioiMVxIs5gw6BNs_H4fBAqRJePudDU_pgHRInWjTv1bV6IvWafF2q6KKuc9/s1600/20180225_140116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2tTyrkIbeVBDTBoiZUFIfwtvuq5u8Lfrj4YN70xFGtcxeIqkDhFwUxlIqQ69FmzJ-UGfnTt6NUPpq98BGioiMVxIs5gw6BNs_H4fBAqRJePudDU_pgHRInWjTv1bV6IvWafF2q6KKuc9/s400/20180225_140116.jpg" width="400" /></a>In February 2018 I started going stir crazy. Because I missed some of the fall running season due to a broken or torn something-or-other in my foot after Golden Ultra, I spent most of the winter running rather than skiing. This lead to a serious case of the February antsy pants. I needed to get up high.<br />
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So on our birthday (Sara and I have the same birthday) we set our sights on Crow Peak, the high point of the Elkhorn Mountains just outside of Helena.<br />
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The Elkhorns play host to a Montana-famous ultra race that is known for being tough with a lot of elevation change and sometimes loose trail. Fortunately, in the grand scheme of mountain climbing, the ascent to the top of Crow Peak is not as tough. This meant that we could snowshoe up in the winter without too much worry of avalanches.<br />
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We left Missoula early in the morning with our friend Nate. He's always up for a ridiculous adventure and was game to join us for a multi-hour slog in the snow. Plus having an extra person came in very handy, but we didn't realize it quite yet.<br />
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The Elkhorn Mountains are situated Southeast of Helena, West of Townsend, East of Boulder, and North of the middle of nowhere. Many of the ranges we have explored so far consist of huge uplifted shelves formed by tectonic plates crashing together. The Elkhorns began forming that way when one plate (the Farallon tectonic plate) sunk, which allowed some magma seepage. From there the magma did it's volcanic work and formed the now defunct Elkhorns. We drove up a snow packed road into what felt like the main exit point of the lava to access our desired route. This also put us in the middle of Elkhorn ghost town.<br />
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All the pictures I've seen of Elkhorn make it look like a charming little ghost town, but those are taken in the summer. In the winter it looked like a great place for our car to get stuck and we'd have to hoof it out before the locals (10 people at the last census) put us in stew. I really should go back in the summer. The one local we saw gave us a friendly wave before continuing to chop firewood and didn't seem like the human-stew type.<br />
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Elkhorn was originally a silver mining town. At one point 2500 people lived in this little valley working the silver lode that Swiss immigrant Peter Wys discovered. Anton Holter (of Holter Lake fame) invested in the mine, which lead to $14 million in silver being excavated from the hills. The populace of Elkhorn consisted of more married couples than the typical mining town, which meant there were schools, churches, and many places of good-repute rather than the standard brothels and bars.<br />
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Ultimately a decrease in demand for silver combined with the mine playing out and a diphtheria epidemic that killed many children caused the town to fall apart in the 1890's. Railroad service stopped, which at that time was the death knell of any town.<br />
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Again, I'd like to go back in the summer. In February it was easy to only see the difficulty of living through the winters in the middle of the mountains in the 1890's. Snow piled high between woodsheds and fragile houses and the drifts from one night of windstorms formed impenetrable walls on the cleared roads that grabbed at the chassis of the Subaru. That must have been a far cry from Elkhorn in the summer when the grass is green, gardens are blooming, and tourists are in full season.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmA6zpJ5jfg1B308Z4eul3f7F7Zs7oKBG_L3oh6ENMUSyozuo61ES5ESf49MAjG1_XnwxxNjNIKCeUu_9jpnJ8-zeUo7ljBhgjZKnLsPAeobiyMTmgh251UnUUBprmIZjsrSE-jSHljn9/s1600/20180225_141603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmA6zpJ5jfg1B308Z4eul3f7F7Zs7oKBG_L3oh6ENMUSyozuo61ES5ESf49MAjG1_XnwxxNjNIKCeUu_9jpnJ8-zeUo7ljBhgjZKnLsPAeobiyMTmgh251UnUUBprmIZjsrSE-jSHljn9/s320/20180225_141603.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
We parked at the top of the town and set off along a snowmobile trail hoping it led us to the correct <br />
place. The funny thing about hiking in the snow is that it is really easy to be off trail. And for the most part that's okay. After 1/2 mile the snowmobile trail clearly veered where we did not want to go so we "followed" an old road bed through the trees up a drainage.<br />
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Without the pre-made tracks we found breaking trail to be exhausting. We quickly settled on a 5 minute maximum lead time before falling to the back of the line and follow the footsteps of the other two. This allowed for 10 minutes of recovery before it was time to battle the fluff again. This is where having three people was much easier than having only two.<br />
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The first half of the climb was heavily treed, but was quite peaceful. Heavy snow still clung to tree branches and made marshmallows out of boulders in the stream bed. In the shelter of the trees we couldn't hear the gusting wind that buffeted the summit and quickly warmed up with the exertion.<br />
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As we moved into the thinner tree coverage and the terrain got steeper, the wind came out to play. With the steeper terrain I started losing some steam. A couple days before I had combined a tooth filling (read: a shot of numbing stuff in my mouth) with a dinner beer and then an elevated heartrate for five hours during an adventure, which combined to form the perfect cocktail to spend an entire night vomiting. Needless to say, trudging through snow in steep terrain required the energy reserve that I voided the day before.<br />
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We crested onto a gorgeous, wind-packed ridgeline as I struggled to catch up on calories and morale. Fortunately the terrain leveled a bit and I was able to enjoy the blue sky and arctic chill. The wind on the ridge had a created incredible snow formations in the trees and on the ground. As we got closer to the summit the formations began to resemble the size and shape of crow feathers (probably not how the mountain got it's name) lodged into the ground at a slight angle. Presumably these were formed by snow crystals whipping against each other and carving shapes. After taking a few pictures of each other my fingers were too cold to take pictures of these feathers so you're going to have to live with that rough description. Or go up on Crow Peak and see if they are there each year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat_7FVkucVJ7VAF23FwKSo8hAFefJRnRzIGZAKyFYRPBakivlmj0EHSr8sgKFVE0ujdkLd5CIWlBlY3XiphHBHRxZbsyI9ouLFQgCnKtEDifgFbrmIqi9AGAi6BNsukFj6Er6-dOSzJk4/s1600/20180225_142927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat_7FVkucVJ7VAF23FwKSo8hAFefJRnRzIGZAKyFYRPBakivlmj0EHSr8sgKFVE0ujdkLd5CIWlBlY3XiphHBHRxZbsyI9ouLFQgCnKtEDifgFbrmIqi9AGAi6BNsukFj6Er6-dOSzJk4/s400/20180225_142927.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
From the summit the clear blue sky allowed us to see a number of ranges stretching into Central Montana. The wind, however, forced us to only look East. Turning to the West immediately and painfully froze our faces.<br />
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We didn't spend long on the summit and quickly dropped back down to a low spot on the ridge where the wind abated. From there we retraced our steps, cutting the switchbacks because we could in the snow, and quickly dropped back to the gradual valley that led back to the cars. Although our progress was much quicker following our own footsteps down, the retreat seemed to drag on forever and we were all quite happy when the car reappeared. The warm food in Helena made us even happier!Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-25187664483352698722018-09-24T22:17:00.000-06:002018-09-24T22:18:44.062-06:00Electric Peak - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlxMJU-2XdOjK0TMBPZlPYgjAN8P_qn2B-jnvRjvzx7D6CUhCtFL-PSKptpAr6bbjmrcbkvh7IigS1M_bx6vBNgwvapp4e9iSlHfal1482-vxHiFS_eah3yF9kGIYsZQ_c_PJIYQY8Ehs/s1600/20170910_105748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlxMJU-2XdOjK0TMBPZlPYgjAN8P_qn2B-jnvRjvzx7D6CUhCtFL-PSKptpAr6bbjmrcbkvh7IigS1M_bx6vBNgwvapp4e9iSlHfal1482-vxHiFS_eah3yF9kGIYsZQ_c_PJIYQY8Ehs/s400/20170910_105748.jpg" title="Electric Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara working up the shoulder to the <br />
first point of Electric Peak</td></tr>
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Summer 2017 was smoky in Montana. There is no denying it. By September Sara and I were so sick of burning eyeballs and were willing to drive any distance to have a chance to get out of it. Fortunately the Montana Mountain Project took us to the only clear air in the state.<br />
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Electric Peak rises high above the Yellowstone River as it meanders through Gardiner, MT. The peak is the high point of the Gallatin Range, and at 10,969' it easily catches the eye of the few tourists who aren't too busy causing traffic jams at every glimpse of elk or deer that cross the road in Yellowstone National Park.<br />
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We first attempted to head up the mountain a few hours after running in the <a href="https://www.bigbearstampede.org/">Big Bear Stampede</a>. We made it 1/4 mile, called it quits, and drove into the Park to go up Mount Washburn instead. Some days you just don't feel it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2h6Pq3qVDPM4FjxhbTb2Q-4rOCsguVAGq0aGLjhJ9fDg6-usdebznMslx5siqV1y_xwmsev5TTDxP6f4jx-kPms3aol0XLFJJSEvxQyLpWtSa9MKoq0Zw8K35vVbhazkCR8ZFsuRAOfg/s1600/20170910_075840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2h6Pq3qVDPM4FjxhbTb2Q-4rOCsguVAGq0aGLjhJ9fDg6-usdebznMslx5siqV1y_xwmsev5TTDxP6f4jx-kPms3aol0XLFJJSEvxQyLpWtSa9MKoq0Zw8K35vVbhazkCR8ZFsuRAOfg/s400/20170910_075840.jpg" title="Electric Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting in the Desert</td></tr>
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The next morning, though, we were committed. We left Gardiner, drove past the elk on the high school football field and made it to the trailhead at Beattie's Gulch. We began working our way through the desert-like valley floor towards the first of the hills as the sun first started to warm the valley. The early bit of the route followed the Yellowstone National Park (YNP) boundary and we were constantly ducking in and out of the Park.<br />
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On the topo maps there is an "Electric Peak trail". On the ground there occasionally is. The first few miles we were able to follow the route until we entered the forested East facing slope of the Gallatins. From here we had the option of taking a switch-backing road that was in surprisingly good shape, or follow rough game trails straight uphill. We went straight uphill.<br />
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After a couple thousand feet of calf screaming climbing we popped back onto the road and took the last switchback up to a group of cabins. If memory serves correctly, there was a sign here calling this group the Eagle's Nest or Aerie or something like that. We'll roll with Eagle's Nest. Although we knew were weren't really far from human interference (the highway could still be seen way way below us) after following game trails it's always a little bit surprising to come across very well maintained structures in the woods. We also decided this would be a great place to spend some time in the winter, or summer: a cabin on a ridgeline, not bad. I'm hoping I can actually remember what the place was called so we can see if it's on Airbnb.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimS3gGuLy5ci2KIswCbj2dKuMx6KWE8mlgHpvek1RVWElgNpTHYKMooLdw8xrUnOBYK1PdXGphC5pcHCfuM1Na__VsTSGMV1hCD4vb7L66uuAXLmWi3VRlQVYocIxJA2oWSB6MD1qhMUR7/s1600/20170910_092216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimS3gGuLy5ci2KIswCbj2dKuMx6KWE8mlgHpvek1RVWElgNpTHYKMooLdw8xrUnOBYK1PdXGphC5pcHCfuM1Na__VsTSGMV1hCD4vb7L66uuAXLmWi3VRlQVYocIxJA2oWSB6MD1qhMUR7/s320/20170910_092216.jpg" title="Electric Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Negotiating the burn</td></tr>
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At this point we picked up vague trail through an old burn area and were able to follow through stands of pines to a broad open shoulder that led to the peak. In addition to entirely changing the landscape and making the trail difficult to follow, the fire also burned a YNP patrol cabin. According to the USGS map, Deaf Jim Patrol Cabin sat on this ridge only 1/2 mile South of the Eagle's Nest. According to the <a href="http://www.secretyellowstone.com/park-infrastructure/buildings/backcountry-patrol-cabins">Secret Yellowstone</a> Website, Deaf Jim Cabin sits on the Eastern shore of Yellowstone Lake (i.e. a hundred miles from this ridge). There is a Deaf Jim Knob right next to Electric Peak though, as well as a Little Joe Lake, which was the name of the 2001 fire that burned the cabin, so I'm going to assume that Deaf Jim Cabin was on the ridge to Electric Peak. Sara and I did walk across an old foundation at one point just below a spring full of elk tracks. All of what we saw on the ground matched the USGS map (aside from the elk tracks). We hadn't done much research on the area before starting out and the history major in me is always making up stories for what we find on the ground. The more you know...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNUC80S8FH1LjvUz-J7yrX99t9JOo1NRrNR6El44CW89X0erYT3AE5it9rAAZ5t4_F1mBUAWZsCH-glpOnPsUtSTWFyr1i8jX9PGStbguL12kFQXwSQ00jKJeu-7iQR4cKJUe9v1M-2U9/s1600/20170910_102328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNUC80S8FH1LjvUz-J7yrX99t9JOo1NRrNR6El44CW89X0erYT3AE5it9rAAZ5t4_F1mBUAWZsCH-glpOnPsUtSTWFyr1i8jX9PGStbguL12kFQXwSQ00jKJeu-7iQR4cKJUe9v1M-2U9/s320/20170910_102328.jpg" title="Electric Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mellow terrain</td></tr>
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From the broad shoulder it was an "easy" walk up. There was no trail but it was all just short alpine grass. It looked easy, but with the altitude, degree of slope, and a race in our legs from the day before it took a bit more effort than I like to admit. From here we could clearly see the top of Electric Peak though and it's a fun one to stare at.<br />
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Electric Peak got it's name about how you would guess. In 1872 a group of surveyors (basically a bunch of dudes who got paid to climb mountains and name stuff) led by Henry Gannett (yes, the same Gannet that the highest point in Wyoming is named after, see what I mean? Just climbing stuff) attempted to climb the peak in order to accurately assess the summit elevation. This group, part of the Hayden Survey, was discouraged from summiting on their first attempt due to a lightening storm that moved through and caused the hair on their arms and head to stand on end. Hence, Electric Peak. They waited a day, then climbed the peak with no issue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NqMUZyYGcWyJK-NzPxaXlbLkdHM4UGR0Rg0zverL4P-6WRcDimvkfrLaRJzYWVBiB9Fc5bTk9a5sf7MLaPqucSl8JL-rP7Iy86dfIwsyRE6mQALhXmJ46Ea4clkMOVJ_ebOiGWlnTIcL/s1600/20170910_111946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NqMUZyYGcWyJK-NzPxaXlbLkdHM4UGR0Rg0zverL4P-6WRcDimvkfrLaRJzYWVBiB9Fc5bTk9a5sf7MLaPqucSl8JL-rP7Iy86dfIwsyRE6mQALhXmJ46Ea4clkMOVJ_ebOiGWlnTIcL/s400/20170910_111946.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guardian of the ridge</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
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I did do enough research to be aware of this story when Sara and I began our trip so I was a bit apprehensive about the clouds hanging around the top when we started. Fortunately they cleared up a bit by the time we got to the top of the shoulder and moved onto the true ridge.<br />
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From here things got fun. We scrambled our way over the first little point, then had to politely ask a bighorn sheep to move off the ridge so we could slide by. One last scramble put us on top 5,500' above where we started. On the last approach we had seen a silhouette on the top, but by the time we got there we had the summit to ourselves. Just us, some rocks and a geocaching Tupperware containing a lego man, a few scraps of paper, and the obligatory condom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEmC3clCH4wLiYpaJtT_YhAzlvHI12oEQWG8TpMLbzFerAnlUMBC-YVMOG4nJATKNHQygQw9fkGQ3q0c5S2sd9XpNc3snNOKF444V4DjJFLKde_rrqHc6cCmyu6XnhfUSO0u2dU8wwh9m/s1600/20170910_115352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEmC3clCH4wLiYpaJtT_YhAzlvHI12oEQWG8TpMLbzFerAnlUMBC-YVMOG4nJATKNHQygQw9fkGQ3q0c5S2sd9XpNc3snNOKF444V4DjJFLKde_rrqHc6cCmyu6XnhfUSO0u2dU8wwh9m/s400/20170910_115352.jpg" title="Electric Peak - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Electric Peak</td></tr>
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Montana was smoky, but it was easy to forget that from the top of Electric Peak. We could see into the distant Madisons, Absorakas, and Beartooths. We could see Mount Washburn that we went up the day before. But most of all we could just see. After weeks of being smothered by smoke we appreciated being able to see multiple miles at a time. Electric Peak would be worth the drive under normal conditions, but that weekend it was probably the best decision we could have made.<br />
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PS - On the way back down we stumbled across a very new, very well manicured wood sign reading "Maitreya Mtn Retreat, 3 miles." There were two arrows pointing down to the West. There was no trail leading away from the sign. No flagging. No cairns. Just the arrows. Naturally we Googled the retreat when we got home. Although it was apparently originally built by WWII veterans, it is now part of the Royal Teton Ranch and a place where members of the Summit Lighthouse go to hear the Rosaries of Mary. Summit Lighthouse is "an international spiritual organization" that was founded in 1958 by a guy named, wait for it, Mark Prophet. Maitreya Mountain also sounds like the Mount Sinai of the Summit Lighthouse group, but I'm not sure on that. If you're bored, google Royal Teton Ranch. It'll be fun!<br />
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Happy Trails,<br />
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ForrestForrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-6774544058606797642018-04-26T11:37:00.000-06:002018-09-24T22:17:45.709-06:00Point South of Sheep Mountain - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrbkNPBrQl8TGcOgKE-cNp2JD-56_av8Fb9Wna0gXORY3-iqTLSxbCC8tV7QtUSA-2A-VCEZNqRKP0qQeu9hCMgQ5gsao9Li0CPl5wurPrjEx8W6o3zC2KjaqOZKjhVt_yV0L087LqLNf/s1600/20170904_154425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Summit of the Lionhead Mountains" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrbkNPBrQl8TGcOgKE-cNp2JD-56_av8Fb9Wna0gXORY3-iqTLSxbCC8tV7QtUSA-2A-VCEZNqRKP0qQeu9hCMgQ5gsao9Li0CPl5wurPrjEx8W6o3zC2KjaqOZKjhVt_yV0L087LqLNf/s320/20170904_154425.jpg" title="High Point of Henry's Lake Range - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara heading towards the summit</td></tr>
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Just west of West Yellowstone is small mountain range that is easy to miss. Only driving South to Raynolds Pass does Henry's Lake Range (AKA the Lionhead Mountains) present itself as anything more than a group of hills keeping the Madison river in check.<br />
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While heading South on Highway 20, Sheep Mountain and Black Mountain loom high overhead and dominate the eastern skyline. While both are in the 10,000' range, an unnamed point just behind Sheep Mountain takes the award for the highest point in the range at 10,606'.<br />
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On Labor Day, after finishing cleaning up from the <a href="http://www.runtherut.com/">Rut Mountain Runs</a>, Sara and I took the scenic way back to Missoula (there is no un-scenic way to get out of Big Sky this was just longer) and rambled up to the high point of the range. Both of us were exhausted after a long weekend of working and racing, but wanted to get in one more adventure in an area we don't get to too often.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLhGjjwAhjBnFzyGAWVLk___ygsg_76jqNWoMG802MzR3XxEBuOqcCn5WqEloX8RggwXVgSZTS2F_BwahEo5xw3q23n4hnPpJnVqRz-1Gussle3HNxr6W7dgr0CQYq06mLCTUNAywOMdT/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLhGjjwAhjBnFzyGAWVLk___ygsg_76jqNWoMG802MzR3XxEBuOqcCn5WqEloX8RggwXVgSZTS2F_BwahEo5xw3q23n4hnPpJnVqRz-1Gussle3HNxr6W7dgr0CQYq06mLCTUNAywOMdT/s320/DSC_0286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara heading up Targhee Peak in 2014</td></tr>
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Our first experience with the Henry's Lake Range came during our trip on the <a href="http://www.cdthike.blogspot.com/">Continental Divide Trail</a>. After spending a few days off trail in West Yellowstone, Henry's Lake Range marked our glorious return to hiking high up on the Divide. I remember being able to look down on Hebgen Lake (where apparently there is some incredible ice-sailing when conditions are right in the winter) from up way up above and finally feeling peaceful again after a few days in town. We did a quick off-trail summit of Targhee Peak, and hiked through the range in a day, but that first taste of Montana stuck with us. Our camp that night was just above Raynolds Pass and we watched the sun set on the valley North of us. As the light turned golden on a few old farm houses with mountains dominating the horizon, I couldn't help but think it was the most stereotypical Montana scene ever. And I loved it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKZTOeYm1faLsZR6wi9U7DY0IuSBvL7UPCpwIs9uFYFKAa6jW8uEVXkXPMb-3g95IvIxYPEYbrY1JLFwcJ6KcerOjF-8P9AXtHLDX_6VRdnMpIHQktAtVVEyS0Tqh0xFQS_LfXSF2dLKL/s1600/State_Highway_287_slumped_into_Hebgen_Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKZTOeYm1faLsZR6wi9U7DY0IuSBvL7UPCpwIs9uFYFKAa6jW8uEVXkXPMb-3g95IvIxYPEYbrY1JLFwcJ6KcerOjF-8P9AXtHLDX_6VRdnMpIHQktAtVVEyS0Tqh0xFQS_LfXSF2dLKL/s320/State_Highway_287_slumped_into_Hebgen_Lake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damage from the 1959 Earthquake (wikipedia.com)</td></tr>
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The North end of that valley, where the Madison river emerges from between the Henry's Lake Range and the Madisons, is the home of Quake Lake. Until 1959 the Madison flowed cleanly from Hebgen Lake to Ennis, but a middle-of-the-night earthquake caused a massive landslide, which buried the river, a campground full of people, and created Quake Lake. The earthquake caused 28 fatalities and most of those people are still buried underneath 50 million cubic yards of earth. Witnesses noticed Hebgen Lake sloshed back and forth for 12 hours with the water surging and retreating at least 20 feet. Fortunately the dam at the foot of Hebgen Lake held and a massive flash flood did not cause more fatalities. The earthquake is a strong reminder that things are moving under our feet!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3NhPj5399lGxqYza8rfn2OUheWkuGvBDKBQb747CvNWLw_P9LQK_RrypZCgOSHL-zh1mZ1xJDimDtXSmxcL7ikUt1LuBBiPugrS3bY7O-BlXpHgQJd0NEoaFm9615kB7jtzYrB08RIxM/s1600/20170904_145736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3NhPj5399lGxqYza8rfn2OUheWkuGvBDKBQb747CvNWLw_P9LQK_RrypZCgOSHL-zh1mZ1xJDimDtXSmxcL7ikUt1LuBBiPugrS3bY7O-BlXpHgQJd0NEoaFm9615kB7jtzYrB08RIxM/s320/20170904_145736.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoky Sheep Lake with the high point on the horizon</td></tr>
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When we returned to the Henry's Lake Range after the Rut we entered from Highway 87 and drove up Sheep Creek to the trailhead that would take us to Sheep Lake. Due to the heavy smoke we debated the wisdom of heading out, and struggled to find motivation to commit, but once we got going we found some excitement again.<br />
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The trail meandered alongside the creek and climbed quickly the first couple miles. Originally we planned on running, but that quickly turned into a mutual "let's hike casually." The long weekend was still in our legs. By the time the trail broke into larger park areas the smoke had cleared enough that we could see the outline of some mountains and we began to match points to topo lines on the map.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZnGQnxtSJnpDIOoC95kD5qmTG25ZVBQr0FSh8m1aqlsDme50CWqjavjIn2T1l_35sHZ6vpw3BSSKSKvrbXOJGlzTUXtKzu5pFyx9esaS9t7MraHSo29XLLDlIp4Hi-J1hRJY7bI4TPaB/s1600/20170904_153608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZnGQnxtSJnpDIOoC95kD5qmTG25ZVBQr0FSh8m1aqlsDme50CWqjavjIn2T1l_35sHZ6vpw3BSSKSKvrbXOJGlzTUXtKzu5pFyx9esaS9t7MraHSo29XLLDlIp4Hi-J1hRJY7bI4TPaB/s320/20170904_153608.jpg" title="High Point of Henry's Lake Range - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara gaining the ridge with Sheep Lake down below</td></tr>
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We reached Sheep Lake, made mental notes of a couple beautiful campsites, then continued off trail around the lake and up a talus field. For some reason I find that when I'm forced to find the most efficient route, rock-hop, and occasionally use my hands to climb, my excitement level goes up. Maybe it's because I have to be more mentally engaged and focused? I don't know why, I just know that I like the off-trail climbing.<br />
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This slope was interesting. Instead of a straight-forward talus slope, there were multiple flat benches filled with moss and, perhaps because of this, also goat hair. We could follow ribbons of these mossy flat spots through the talus and made good time. About 3/4 of the way from the lake to the ridge we came across a massive, and I mean massive, mountain goat. Even from 100 yards away he looked huge. He and his family also did not seem too worried about us and calmly wandered off. Clearly he knew who was boss.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkaCzYWn-gy8_qoqoaQYwGR3MRl2n6Su67ISNdTLRvQmOnWZ9yAs2Di1IzrRaNP3MHRQljN3X-tDXUznbm_POI5HjQw6zIrowVz9LCojWGVi3-MZJr7oDYHT_iZTCzcRhbD5JBjM8g_ry/s1600/20170904_155200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkaCzYWn-gy8_qoqoaQYwGR3MRl2n6Su67ISNdTLRvQmOnWZ9yAs2Di1IzrRaNP3MHRQljN3X-tDXUznbm_POI5HjQw6zIrowVz9LCojWGVi3-MZJr7oDYHT_iZTCzcRhbD5JBjM8g_ry/s320/20170904_155200.jpg" title="High Point of Henry's Lake Range - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the high point of the Henry's Lake Range</td></tr>
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Although the smoke was thinner at the higher altitude the view from the ridge was not expansive. We could see the next peak or two, but not the miles and miles we would be able to on a clear day. I imagine that on a clear day the Madisons would be looming directly to the North, and some of the peaks in Yellowstone would be visible to the East. This day though we could only see Coffin Mountain a few miles off, Sheep Mountain, and a herd of sheep down the other slope.<br />
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We quickly clambered up to the summit, before retreating to a leeward slope for a reprieve from the wind while we snacked.<br />
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On our descent we opted to return down the ridge all the way to the lake rather than down the chute we climbed up. This fortuitous chose led us to massive volumes of wild raspberries, perhaps my favorite berry. We took another break while we relieved many of the plants of their berry weight. The plants looked like they were struggling under all that pressure; it was the least we could do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIGsBlKpaCMsnoK1BPBcapDCqzZ7VChWIoOIsaQW0qGqcBN5kKO6ASu8Oqgc-0UYUzbfThwiYr5OQF7I7aRyhNdpp0B3gY6A1_1fA-SFYt6aRaUmjwHMC9UC-L8rQVMQj2pLVr85RODdI/s1600/20170904_160319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIGsBlKpaCMsnoK1BPBcapDCqzZ7VChWIoOIsaQW0qGqcBN5kKO6ASu8Oqgc-0UYUzbfThwiYr5OQF7I7aRyhNdpp0B3gY6A1_1fA-SFYt6aRaUmjwHMC9UC-L8rQVMQj2pLVr85RODdI/s320/20170904_160319.jpg" title="High Point of Henry's Lake Range - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running down the ridge</td></tr>
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Once we hit the trail again we finally started to run, since that was our original plan. It only took three hours for us to warm-up to running, and of course going downhill helped.<br />
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The air quality during this second trip into the Henry's Lake Range was not nearly as clear as the first time around, and it made the range seem like a different set of mountains entirely. We were still happy we made it out of the car though. Days like that re-enforce the idea that it's always worth getting out. It may be smoky, but there may also be raspberries.Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-61982204835972629532018-02-23T17:40:00.000-07:002018-02-23T17:40:22.469-07:00Great Northern Mountain - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu970SFE1y0idTFl1UOCQknjeyYY4miaOdbGxe3rvhG7oXz27w_QkGW4noU41WM2ASin7wAowXNxrMN62mUntO1pQaiOL3s4YjRtJXii1TEf2ZWYOpJzO8PwnO4W1edoQ0xi9L8fT7fe5/s1600/20170812_165939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu970SFE1y0idTFl1UOCQknjeyYY4miaOdbGxe3rvhG7oXz27w_QkGW4noU41WM2ASin7wAowXNxrMN62mUntO1pQaiOL3s4YjRtJXii1TEf2ZWYOpJzO8PwnO4W1edoQ0xi9L8fT7fe5/s400/20170812_165939.jpg" title="Great Northern Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the top of Great Northern Mountain</td></tr>
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When I first moved to Montana I couldn't figure out why in the Flathead Valley just outside Glacier National Park, it seemed that every third business includes "Great Northern" in its moniker. It turns out there is a mountain, a pretty big mountain, west of the Kalispell-Whitefish-Columbia Falls micro-megalopolis called Great Northern. It's the highest point in the Flathead Range, and the highest in the Bob Marshall Wilderness (not to be confused with the Bob Marshall Wilderness <i>Complex</i>, that highest point is Red Mountain) at 8,705'. It is difficult to see Great Northern from any road due to other mountains and trees obscuring its summit, but it is worth the trip to catch a glimpse.<br />
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Great Northern, the mountain, does not pull its name from its size, its prominence, or its northerly latitude. Rather it references the northernmost transcontinental railroad line, the Great Northern, that runs a few miles north of its base paralleling the Flathead River. The Great Northern forms the southern edge of Glacier National Park (a fact the company promoted heavily to tourists back in the day) and is responsible for building many of the original buildings in East and West Glacier.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4JhTVzlrT_6Ll08Qg2ZRfZWDNf7I-VvFfh80dlC2NyuXqrSYGazMMkuAiF-fBod314vAdbKG34mnLv88s0Unta1_lltQX3BacLIQNmJ0oW9IjwD0sxw1dWdeZMEcmbDkCUPcPzUaQMUH/s1600/20170812_154117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4JhTVzlrT_6Ll08Qg2ZRfZWDNf7I-VvFfh80dlC2NyuXqrSYGazMMkuAiF-fBod314vAdbKG34mnLv88s0Unta1_lltQX3BacLIQNmJ0oW9IjwD0sxw1dWdeZMEcmbDkCUPcPzUaQMUH/s400/20170812_154117.jpg" title="Great Northern Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara looking at the summit of Great Northern before reaching the main ridge</td></tr>
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The line reached the feet of Great Northern Mountain after the 1889 exploration of Marias Pass by John Frank Stevens. Stevens was an engineer with a propensity for imagining tons of freight moving through difficult places to access. In addition to pushing for Marias Pass as a train route, he helped develop Stevens Pass in the Cascades for rail travel. Then, perhaps tiring of the cold Pacific Northwest, he moved south to become chief engineer on the Panama Canal.<br />
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We did not have to create our own route to the base of Great Northern like Mr. Stevens, and instead followed the wide dirt road heading south out of Hungry Horse. At the trail head Sara fit in a 10 minute power nap (we ran 40 miles in Glacier the day before) while I threw together some calories to power our hike.<br />
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The trail starts out steep. Really steep. Within the first 1.5 miles you climb nearly 2,500 feet. On a normal day your calves start talking to you, but the day after running in Glacier our calves were already tender and the steep grade made them scream sooner than normal. But with a few huckleberries lining the trail we could blame frequent breaks on berry picking rather than tired legs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX8dXhZxGCj_cBe3v8qKNFYhrE96PehqOwc2nRKOmEMWze3EMztdtCaRSeM1w1BY36fzKPd-1zwV6vbkQq37VwzT2RuYfkY1WVXdDPv-x2tvrey78qVmEHp1OnyT6GB8B7_b8C5M_Nmg5/s1600/20170812_162836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX8dXhZxGCj_cBe3v8qKNFYhrE96PehqOwc2nRKOmEMWze3EMztdtCaRSeM1w1BY36fzKPd-1zwV6vbkQq37VwzT2RuYfkY1WVXdDPv-x2tvrey78qVmEHp1OnyT6GB8B7_b8C5M_Nmg5/s400/20170812_162836.jpg" title="Great Northern Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a well-trod portion of the route above Stanton Glacier</td></tr>
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After that initial climb the trail pops out onto a ridge of the ridge that leads to Great Northern. This short section is lightly treed affording some protection from the elements if needed, but also offers incredible views of the top of the mountain. From here it looks like there is no way Great Northern is a hike-able mountain: intimidating, even know there is an "easy" way up.<br />
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The common-use trail we were following took us to the main ridgeline where we turned south and began walking towards the looming mountain. Smoky air cut our view so we couldn't see too far into Glacier National Park, but we could still see a few miles into the Great Bear Wilderness. I always find myself staring down into the cirques and valleys below mountains like Great Northern, hoping to catch a glimpse of some epic wildlife battle from a safe distance. To date I have only seen a family of grizzlies flipping rocks, no battle royale between wolves and bears.<br />
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I figured, due to the name, that Great Bear Wilderness would be the place for this to happen. Created in 1978 as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, the Great Bear Wilderness is home to the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead River, meaning this area is double wild. Bears, wolves, wolverines, goats, sheep, moose, and other Montana things should have been frolicking below me, but we only saw rocks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g63YlRYnqD4v9T4tWZCyqZLiSbCpxCBlZMc8Zcpr0P4Xz1KdnUoH60LkLQS41PPJr6InCYBVHvZhInFNjB2h5JRjnFctT45QVCxjYvz3K7-UFNR8qzXTSWdyDK9aR6ea17oB08E6veb4/s1600/20170812_172735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g63YlRYnqD4v9T4tWZCyqZLiSbCpxCBlZMc8Zcpr0P4Xz1KdnUoH60LkLQS41PPJr6InCYBVHvZhInFNjB2h5JRjnFctT45QVCxjYvz3K7-UFNR8qzXTSWdyDK9aR6ea17oB08E6veb4/s400/20170812_172735.jpg" title="Great Northern Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara playing on the ridge while descending</td></tr>
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And by rocks I mean the ridgeline up to the summit is one of the most visually appealing, fun, hike-able rock-filled ridges you will ever find. The east side plummets straight down to a scree field, and the west side is a handful of degrees shy of cliff-like. Those few degrees, however, allow for all sorts of game and hiker trails to exist in a scree and talus wonderland.<br />
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As hikers we followed the uppermost trail keeping us on the top of the ridge as much as possible. Aside from being the path of least resistance, this also provided views in every possible direction and soon we were looking down onto Stanton Glacier.<br />
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Stanton Glacier is one that has been selected by the USGS for their Glacier Monitoring Program meaning that its mass balance is continuously recorded. Mass balance refers to the difference between accumulation and ablation (a fancy term for surface shrinkage). Variation in the mass balance of a glacier is the best indicator of glacial behavior for researchers. A glacier with a negative balance retreats, and one with a positive mass balance will advance. Between 1980 and 2012 the worldwide average of glacial mass balance was -16 meters, with 23 consecutive years of negative balances. Looking down on Stanton Glacier knowing that it has had a lot of negative mass balance years, and then looking up and see a smoke filled sky as what appeared to be all of Montana burned, we felt fortunate to be able to get out and see these incredible things while they still exist.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxfw3KZ3zwTBp4li1wh4mt_3PQydy5MgzrTCcAaXGoyDZpHaGMWSIAplnfRwLuiLFNzH_Nw0djZ0D-t9JC6XCgejwG7j0hAKXzlXVm_xT5qv8LuJiXK3LyVqCCwI5HO4xOKt9ltW4OgZe/s1600/20170812_171652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxfw3KZ3zwTBp4li1wh4mt_3PQydy5MgzrTCcAaXGoyDZpHaGMWSIAplnfRwLuiLFNzH_Nw0djZ0D-t9JC6XCgejwG7j0hAKXzlXVm_xT5qv8LuJiXK3LyVqCCwI5HO4xOKt9ltW4OgZe/s400/20170812_171652.jpg" title="Great Northern Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the ridge we came up</td></tr>
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After having to use our hands to scramble up one section we topped out on the peak of Great Northern. From here we could look down the impressive ridgeline that forms the western rampart of the Great Bear Wilderness. On a clear day we'd be able to see hundreds of peaks in Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, the Swans, and a number of ranges to the West. This day though our views were limited so we turned our gaze closer. I have found that the silver (or hazy) lining to a smoky day is that I tend to notice more what's close to me. I see more flowers, rock formations, and goat herds. Instead of appreciating Great Northern as one of hundreds of mountains on the horizon, we could appreciate Great Northern for it's own impressive qualities.<br />
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We took our time on the summit. It was warm and less smoky than down at the car. We had the time to dawdle and enjoy being up high, feeling close to the sun. So we did. Plus our legs were tired and we weren't exactly looking forward to 5,000 feet of descending. Eventually though we turned our backs on Great Northern and dropped back to the car in time to find our next campsite.<br />
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<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-55615455978019534802018-01-23T11:27:00.001-07:002018-01-23T11:27:06.095-07:00Eighteenmile Peak - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiVvS8AdGRdHmwg6mj1F8DbCSEzQ8RNw-MMBUgnhAZ2TxTF4MwYRIWgm0ZGceYTdxkphwZVn8ZxT9o6qsYtjXXYGpuyjmeYQZg39wwtr6cT7k746SEJ2Pg04thl5Saluf0pD9cLH_5j6X/s1600/20170727_091808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiVvS8AdGRdHmwg6mj1F8DbCSEzQ8RNw-MMBUgnhAZ2TxTF4MwYRIWgm0ZGceYTdxkphwZVn8ZxT9o6qsYtjXXYGpuyjmeYQZg39wwtr6cT7k746SEJ2Pg04thl5Saluf0pD9cLH_5j6X/s400/20170727_091808.jpg" title="Eighteenmile Peak-Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Eighteenmile (left) and Cottonwood (right) on the CDT</td></tr>
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The day after Sara <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/tweedy-peak-montana-mountain-project.html">cut off the upper part of her pinky fingernail</a>, we journeyed south of Dillon to a little explored corner of Montana. Eighteenmile Peak, the high point of the Montana portion of the Beaverhead Mountains, often gets overlooked as drivers merely glance in its direction on their way to Butte or Idaho Falls. At 11,125' it is the highest mountain on the Continental Divide in Montana and is quite deserving of the long drive from anywhere to reach its base.<br />
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The area around Eighteenmile Peak, tucked in the most southern portion of the state, is still a heavy ranching area with roaming cattle and narrow roads typical in the surround valleys. The gently rolling ranch lands quickly give way to steep, high mountains, however, and the tame valleys turn to wild, high alpine environments within a few hundred feet.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR6X1Hna5VTH34frDPAhVX7QA0aySw-6fZB1ZXfwgEdYI0ZCRoM5bZOsUqrKWRdTl79KiEbZ8x7kjgRNpdrkcaWrKwvtbAGshirvk9OInj0fiDgB1iCqYDAvO4EH6lUsS9Tsz-3Gx2HQJ/s1600/20170727_102448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR6X1Hna5VTH34frDPAhVX7QA0aySw-6fZB1ZXfwgEdYI0ZCRoM5bZOsUqrKWRdTl79KiEbZ8x7kjgRNpdrkcaWrKwvtbAGshirvk9OInj0fiDgB1iCqYDAvO4EH6lUsS9Tsz-3Gx2HQJ/s320/20170727_102448.jpg" title="Eighteenmile Peak-Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shoulder to the top of Eighteenmile Peak</td></tr>
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As we negotiated the irrigation ditches that occasionally crossed the ranch roads it was hard not to notice the looming presence of Eighteenmile Peak and its twin, Cottonwood Peak. They dominated the skyline to the west. I still haven't learned what the peak is 18 miles from, but it may be that the summit seems like it's 18 miles above the valley floor (if you know how Eighteenmile Peak got its name, or have a slightly educated guess please let me know).<br />
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We parked at the junction of two ranch roads that would give us the option to loop our route if we desired and began walking up towards the eastern flank of the mountain. We had walked this way in 2014 while <a href="http://cdthike.blogspot.com/2014/08/as-i-am-sitting-here-writing-sun-is.html">hiking the Continental Divide Trail </a>and memories quickly flooded back. At this point in our thru-hike we were putting in 25-30 miles a day and were increasingly fatigued. That morning we took an "officially" suggested alternate that ascended Cottonwood Peak before reconnecting with the CDT on the Idaho/Montana border and continuing north.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoameUHaE-tt32EPU5HuKs3XMXyjbG_nqhQBrqcPh_QlZXepN2NzCnFFs55d2EQE9JN8pAZcUaq7H4WELBgnZjHJHBbOYX3ft4MyoGiUeIs6vXRnUE_5Md_5b_mgdDkVmjpLgg7Fl15mL/s1600/20170727_104311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoameUHaE-tt32EPU5HuKs3XMXyjbG_nqhQBrqcPh_QlZXepN2NzCnFFs55d2EQE9JN8pAZcUaq7H4WELBgnZjHJHBbOYX3ft4MyoGiUeIs6vXRnUE_5Md_5b_mgdDkVmjpLgg7Fl15mL/s400/20170727_104311.jpg" title="Eighteenmile Peak-Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refueling before the final push to the ridge.</td></tr>
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That morning Sara was struggling. The climb up Cottonwood Peak was steep, but she was feeling the miles of the previous weeks and simply moving forward became a laborious endeavor. We made it to the top and on the descent she started regaining energy. That afternoon it was my turn. Sitting down always seemed like the best option and hiking like a lethargic death march. Fortunately, Sara and I rarely synced our struggle-fest moments and the other person was always there to pull us through when the hiking got tough.<br />
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Hiking towards the continental divide this time was a much more positive experience, probably because we had only done half the mileage the day before, and were carrying packs that, maybe, weighed 10 pounds. It's amazing how much more enjoyable hiking is with a light pack.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0S9sbQInLwhWCAHnspmUpoHzF0J8vr60YZ5Q5TFbLycnTT5bU6YwYtDjU_rPNLYEAGh4FxsV5XS8Amts-OK75rqeqaRJTs7B_a6LakQ3lbn9eiRWJypvUeSKLE07_WZT7hvHkeDcPkc8/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0S9sbQInLwhWCAHnspmUpoHzF0J8vr60YZ5Q5TFbLycnTT5bU6YwYtDjU_rPNLYEAGh4FxsV5XS8Amts-OK75rqeqaRJTs7B_a6LakQ3lbn9eiRWJypvUeSKLE07_WZT7hvHkeDcPkc8/s400/DSC_0363.JPG" title="Eighteenmile Peak-Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at Eighteenmile Peak from Cottonwood in 2014</td></tr>
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We left the CDT and pushed straight up the eastern shoulder of the Eighteenmile Peak hugging the fenceline of a local ranch. High altitude cows briefly interrupted their masticating to glance warily in our direction, but showed little other reaction as we continued climbing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNtxVQEVNz492pO7Xlf2oXU2CuhrkTRt7k10J5riAuW-jh0qD-NDqygIZ7vFosK52MwzjhvQQXwXEInrp191yRxQl-jU0cShj6pCi5-j-WitRVny4c7IFvecc2jWmzZYiSgZjBW1sOunW/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNtxVQEVNz492pO7Xlf2oXU2CuhrkTRt7k10J5riAuW-jh0qD-NDqygIZ7vFosK52MwzjhvQQXwXEInrp191yRxQl-jU0cShj6pCi5-j-WitRVny4c7IFvecc2jWmzZYiSgZjBW1sOunW/s320/DSC_0371.JPG" title="Eighteenmile Peak-Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara SUPER happy to reach the summit of Cottonwood in 2014</td></tr>
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Another half mile uphill we moved onto public land and reached the first knob. Hiding behind this knob was a herd of a hundred or so elk contentedly basking in the sun. Despite the edge of the herd being 30 yards away, they didn't see or smell us and we could watch them at our leisure. Eventually we accidentally spooked them and continued on our way up.<br />
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As the grade got steeper the terrain shifted from ungulate chewed foliage to loose talus and scree. Here we were able to follow rough sheep and goat trails and somewhat switchback our way up. Even with the "trails" the hiking was very hard on our calves. I was feeling the lingering effects of our adventure the day before and had a solid burn going by the time we reached the ridge.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdz8TNqZCYYHqPMFz_2YGQTzO_Slrf1QzbJEqL_qO9G-aWryZTULMMGKKNs04vM2aDu3V6-JOjMuKUp0Kwnwzk_ia_HkCPfu6E1sCuBJ6IWy3p1HriJ3QL0lbZ6-YET0aELmIy7q-51Yp/s1600/20170727_110952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdz8TNqZCYYHqPMFz_2YGQTzO_Slrf1QzbJEqL_qO9G-aWryZTULMMGKKNs04vM2aDu3V6-JOjMuKUp0Kwnwzk_ia_HkCPfu6E1sCuBJ6IWy3p1HriJ3QL0lbZ6-YET0aELmIy7q-51Yp/s320/20170727_110952.jpg" title="Eighteenmile Peak-Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Eighteenmile Peak</td></tr>
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On the ridge the rocks switched to dinner plate size and we quickly covered the last couple hundred yards to the top. From the summit of Eighteen Mile Peak we could see mountains surrounding us in all directions. The Beaverheads themselves stretched as far as we could see to the North and South. We could see Mount Borah, the high point in Idaho, off to the West, and the Tendoys, Pioneers, and Pioneers to the East.<br />
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Lewis and Clark crossed over the Continental Divide for the first time only a few miles north of Eighteenmile Peak, and as we sat on the summit it was not hard to imagine how intimidating the view had to be. They hoped to see plains stretching below them with a hopefully a large waterway that could transport them easily to the Pacific. Endless mountains on the horizon had to be demoralizing. What Sara and I were viewing as future adventures had to be completely disheartening to the travel weary explorers looking beyond the edge of the United States for the first time.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBvmZiaf2qd6LyPWST9HNqaBIPMvltpd8OGKzoR4yl2LztEO_P4SXu3qlxqqSjuD4PHPdSfWm_6BkaixHZ1wWw556oX1y7yI_imjukEaOFKDopuK4Pnfi-j9aUJcRrFtdSo5d3nNNyUrk/s1600/20170727_110629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBvmZiaf2qd6LyPWST9HNqaBIPMvltpd8OGKzoR4yl2LztEO_P4SXu3qlxqqSjuD4PHPdSfWm_6BkaixHZ1wWw556oX1y7yI_imjukEaOFKDopuK4Pnfi-j9aUJcRrFtdSo5d3nNNyUrk/s400/20170727_110629.jpg" title="Eighteenmile Peak-Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking North towards Cottonwood Peak and Lemhi Pass<br />where Lewis and Clark first crossed the Divide.</td></tr>
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Our enjoyment of the view was curtailed by a quickly building cloud bank that moved over Mount Borah and continued our way. We decided to get back to lower elevations before it crossed the valley and reluctantly turned back to the car.<br />
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We reached the car just as a light sprinkle turned to legitimate rain. The one irrigation ditch crossing we were worried about on the return trip was a non-issue, but the crazy hail storm we encountered in Big Sheep Creek Canyon was intense. We drove on the heels of a short, intense storm that was causing the creek to flash flood. Mud pored across the road from every little drainage in the canyon. Knowing how quickly a canyon can turn dangerous in a storm, I kept us moving to try to get out of the narrow portions before part of the road washed out (the construction occurring on previously washed out road was not helping our confidence). Fortunately we made it out of the canyon with nothing more than some mud on the windshield only to find that the canyon on either side of us sunny and completely dry. Once again we were reminded of how quickly, and crazily weather systems can strike.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNLn7x45fQ5jSajqlB4ppuER0EKWO4xeDymgNRt0_MfV5QleiVW-tEr3JFYc0zKvj36-9Z4om43XmuqO5ykNjmzxSumlcaMhhCEvCg-AV9jjN_0olO96su6YdX8Cjn2l7XB90h54CPo1K/s1600/20170727_132416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNLn7x45fQ5jSajqlB4ppuER0EKWO4xeDymgNRt0_MfV5QleiVW-tEr3JFYc0zKvj36-9Z4om43XmuqO5ykNjmzxSumlcaMhhCEvCg-AV9jjN_0olO96su6YdX8Cjn2l7XB90h54CPo1K/s320/20170727_132416.jpg" title="Eighteenmile Peak-Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the hail infested canyon, flood water is already building<br />on the side of the road.</td></tr>
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Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-86736217380194937132017-12-18T21:31:00.000-07:002017-12-18T21:31:31.573-07:00Tweedy Peak - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNFm6sT50Bl2klMV9n98aLmiB5zUlNRS8HtCiN6sUBk2ZQ1CnB4MDnkzPInB0nZxrlx3neUbhYjNXqFW4X65TfqqPl799qSLyZPt2yMGa2zFp540FtuA0sA68mMkueFm29XRwMotkPfAS/s1600/20170726_122036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNFm6sT50Bl2klMV9n98aLmiB5zUlNRS8HtCiN6sUBk2ZQ1CnB4MDnkzPInB0nZxrlx3neUbhYjNXqFW4X65TfqqPl799qSLyZPt2yMGa2zFp540FtuA0sA68mMkueFm29XRwMotkPfAS/s320/20170726_122036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the top of Tweedy Mountain with Torrey in the background</td></tr>
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Looking west from Dillon, the East Pioneers dominate the skyline with jagged ridgelines, two quite prominent peaks, and, at least every time I have driven by, swirling mist portending a storm hiding behind the mountains. The two peaks, Tweedy and Torrey are only a few feet different in elevation with Tweedy edging out Torrey at 11,154'<br />
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The Pioneers are divided into two ranges by the Pioneer Scenic Byway. The West Pioneers consist of rolling, heavily treed mountains, with just a few summits barely poking above treeline. The East Pioneers reach much higher elevations and were heavily glaciated, which makes them much more rugged and intimidating than their western neighbors. Both the East and West Pioneers are teeming with wildlife including the <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/02/stine-mountain-montana-mountain-project.html">bear that stalked me</a> on Stine Mountain, and potentially the last pure strain of Arctic Grayling (fish) in the lower 48.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYDIg-X4xQqQcW7D0ylIKRq6FvLCBBQ5-N8XXK3HE1DFcZJdT7bLnimDIdUC-hel6-M66Oe_hLA_AjpPl44hZ7UXzYyYvw0AUDZxCZOF4K56nGvt4UiqIGmhpcks14ZAEOKBh3Kh9LdGY/s1600/20170726_074007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYDIg-X4xQqQcW7D0ylIKRq6FvLCBBQ5-N8XXK3HE1DFcZJdT7bLnimDIdUC-hel6-M66Oe_hLA_AjpPl44hZ7UXzYyYvw0AUDZxCZOF4K56nGvt4UiqIGmhpcks14ZAEOKBh3Kh9LdGY/s400/20170726_074007.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through the first few golden meadows</td></tr>
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At the end of July Sara, Cory Soulliard, and I met up at the Mono Creek Campground for an attempt at Tweedy Peak. With a spit of long awaited rain still dripping from our tent the following morning we set out up David Creek for the long approach to Torrey Lake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGRyrIM9dXtoith8DHLqttvbwcyMXjajhC8nGBFh3DnSuGGilCbshMIMddnF66Y-XdJ4siH1S8JVzt8-AKZevSB-XStSf0a-BxOteVPbwi41HjM2C9JPYgyX3aAN1Ke-PfMBo4bJ9jkju/s1600/20170726_074530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGRyrIM9dXtoith8DHLqttvbwcyMXjajhC8nGBFh3DnSuGGilCbshMIMddnF66Y-XdJ4siH1S8JVzt8-AKZevSB-XStSf0a-BxOteVPbwi41HjM2C9JPYgyX3aAN1Ke-PfMBo4bJ9jkju/s320/20170726_074530.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacobson Meadow with the first glimpse of mountains</td></tr>
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I rarely run into Missoulians who have spent much time in the Pioneers so when I spoke with customers at <a href="http://www.runnersedgemt.com/">Runner's Edge</a> who have climbed Tweedy or Torrey Peaks I tried to soak up all the details I could. Most suggested going in from the East side, and not attempting to climb both in the same day because the ridgeline between the two peaks involves a few 5th class pitches. So naturally we went in from the West side, and planned on attempting both peaks in the same day.<br />
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The approach up David Creek is gorgeous. Early on we ran by Jacobson Meadows as the early morning sun just hit the meadow creating greenish-orange light, the type of morning light that lets you know you're on an adventure. The first few miles climbed slowly and the running was pretty easy. We even continued a running stride most of the way up the canyon that funnels David Creek despite a few blowdowns and stream crossings. And then the trail ramped up sharply and our running ended for the next five or six hours.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoKS0jLLTpSKhsaYhvXqYSsIGhW45pCM48dD4Rv4GwlxnAcu0mZ15YYqYodbrTz0Noe0Hn_jqt4te-eOmpMx0NLXgcioj_ywvRdKLk5uga7LyZ2a45BlmV2D-2j1OLE-1r7mi5-TqwUDk/s1600/20170726_101808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoKS0jLLTpSKhsaYhvXqYSsIGhW45pCM48dD4Rv4GwlxnAcu0mZ15YYqYodbrTz0Noe0Hn_jqt4te-eOmpMx0NLXgcioj_ywvRdKLk5uga7LyZ2a45BlmV2D-2j1OLE-1r7mi5-TqwUDk/s320/20170726_101808.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of the trees on Tweedy</td></tr>
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The David Creek Trail ends at Torrey Lake, which in mid-July is a gorgeous alpine lake surrounded by inspiring mountains, swampy boot-sucking moss, and a horde of (I hope not) malarial filled mosquitos. We paused briefly at the lake to plan a route up Tweedy and then hopefully up to Torrey - keep in mind we were approaching opposite the typically suggested routes - and then before we turned into mosquito meals we turned and began to climb up the western flank of Tweedy.<br />
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There are not a lot of trails in the East Pioneers. True there are gorgeous, sub-alpine routes like the one we followed up David Creek, but above treeline there is not much designated human foot traffic. The terrain is remarkably rugged up high with chunky rocks and spires blocking ridgeline travel, evidence of hardworking glacial activity.<br />
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Historically, gold and silver mining brought prospectors to the East Pioneers and even led to the development of Coolidge just south of the Mono Creek campground. Today Coolidge is one of four ghost towns in the East Pioneers, but between 1873, when the Elkhorn Mine was discovered, and 1930 Coolidge was a booming silver metropolis. So much silver was being brought out of the mine by the early 1920's that the building that housed the processing mill covered two acres. Silver that came out of the mine was shipped to the town of Divide via the last narrow gauge railroad built in the US before making its way to San Francisco to be shipped to Wales for conversion into useful metal. Prospects looked good for the town of Coolidge until in the late 1920's when a dam on the Wise River burst and wiped out part of the railway. When it was finally repaired in 1930 the price of metal had dropped to the point where continued operation cost too much and since then there has been very little human development in the East Pioneers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubkGmeFyNlMyji1DRe26FUQf5Ik0Q3TNBIL5ZT5Cs7DPJ_UK7CgjUB_0aTaNGNIxctzbkgw9X26ohCdxLNYHX0FH4859O87QQa15ILgH07M8kZPDwgzqBc3uUfy6540aah8DbOjcNoLCq/s1600/20170726_111544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubkGmeFyNlMyji1DRe26FUQf5Ik0Q3TNBIL5ZT5Cs7DPJ_UK7CgjUB_0aTaNGNIxctzbkgw9X26ohCdxLNYHX0FH4859O87QQa15ILgH07M8kZPDwgzqBc3uUfy6540aah8DbOjcNoLCq/s400/20170726_111544.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playground for mountain goats on Tweedy with Torrey in the background</td></tr>
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As we ascended the steep western slope of Tweedy Peak I felt more remote than I have felt in similar mountain ranges. The <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/01/west-goat-peak-montana-mountain-project.html">Anaconda-Pintlers</a> were visible over our left shoulders, one of our favorite ranges because of the solitude and beauty, but the East Pioneers felt even more isolated.<br />
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Once we reached treeline we began to pick our way through large boulders to the true west ridge of Tweedy. Although it looked toothy we hoped that we would be able to get on the top and clamber to the summit. Alas, this was not the case. What looked like small teeth from down below turned into giant fangs. To avoid this we traversed into the northern cirque, dropped a hundred feet or so and then climbed back up to a notch, hoping that this would be an easier path to the summit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAOLN3tm-qLTvQWwCfn1422GP2qihauPkhsMuL6pYUZ8e397_SDMKxK0PGz_8tA9KRwYosMq6q6nNFP2Eh0aAlsTEfC-nitFOrzisHiZBd1UV9taUFKqMoezfHGwAcybvEhc4WTEyTk_K/s1600/20170726_115730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAOLN3tm-qLTvQWwCfn1422GP2qihauPkhsMuL6pYUZ8e397_SDMKxK0PGz_8tA9KRwYosMq6q6nNFP2Eh0aAlsTEfC-nitFOrzisHiZBd1UV9taUFKqMoezfHGwAcybvEhc4WTEyTk_K/s400/20170726_115730.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working our way onto the North side of Tweedy</td></tr>
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From the notch we could see that in our desire to create a loop rather than a series of out-and-backs we created a much more difficult day for ourselves. The eastern flank was much more gradual and promised much easier travel than everything else we had climbed. Now we know. We turned and scrambled the last few feet to the summit and ate lunch on the top of the Pioneers.<br />
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After lunch we descended the eastern flank and found a small couloir that led back to opposite side of the lake. The second half of our day was drastically different from our first. While our approach to Torrey Lake and the summit of Tweedy was sunny and clear, our time on the flank of Torrey was cloudy and ominous.<br />
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As soon as we left the lake and started up the steep boulder field it began to sprinkle. The clouds moving in from the west were darkening and we knew the chances of safely reaching the top of Torrey were slim. We would soon find out though that the weather wasn't really what would keep us from reaching the top, but the technical terrain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtCqb2ecgNMWDwLpcDDkJoMkt8xb0Swd4eWVSxIzhfqNekfcIQ9p1GqcqardbyPdoZZcBembrAAu3ICIna44M5rSyGW6SxNC6PXjTtzDBQGzvLTNTxhl4tdZz5yrMt8hw-3MybVN6Yvtu/s1600/20170726_122219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtCqb2ecgNMWDwLpcDDkJoMkt8xb0Swd4eWVSxIzhfqNekfcIQ9p1GqcqardbyPdoZZcBembrAAu3ICIna44M5rSyGW6SxNC6PXjTtzDBQGzvLTNTxhl4tdZz5yrMt8hw-3MybVN6Yvtu/s400/20170726_122219.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara on the top of Tweedy with Torrey in the background</td></tr>
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From the lake we picked a route on the edge of a boulder field and cascading cliff band. About halfway up the slope we could use a few snow fields to our advantage for a few hundred feet of easier travel. Above the snow the boulders ended and it looked like we could scramble up a field of small scree and dirt to a saddle. From there we would figure it out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lXnke2cVNAY1vHnBVwEmvNX1GrRQ_GWUy4irDMDSzu_P16NCV4Dn1qgC8Q8glBKYBCYBbyMhOQQh-b_OoYFROmJqAhfFBHlq5SL6Bh2-XdH0BzQcM7OYz9gm346yTs-yph8m-hXDNpk1/s1600/20170726_145357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lXnke2cVNAY1vHnBVwEmvNX1GrRQ_GWUy4irDMDSzu_P16NCV4Dn1qgC8Q8glBKYBCYBbyMhOQQh-b_OoYFROmJqAhfFBHlq5SL6Bh2-XdH0BzQcM7OYz9gm346yTs-yph8m-hXDNpk1/s400/20170726_145357.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory employing the bear crawl method on Torrey</td></tr>
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Getting above the snow fields was taxing, but not particularly challenging. Above the snow in the scree and dirt our progress became painstakingly slow. The steepness and loose nature of the rock made keeping momentum paramount. Every time I stopped moving I felt in danger of tipping backwards. I found an aggressive bear crawl to be the best bet for keeping balance.<br />
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We found the saddle we were aiming for was actually a notch. The south side of the notch was blocked by a 15 or 20 foot cliff face beyond our climbing ability. From the notch, though, we could see another cirque containing a gorgeous lake and then a nice slope leading up to the summit of Torrey. The only problem was gaining access to that slope involved descending another 1,000' before climbing again. With clouds and exhaustion moving in we opted to turn.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNhgunBtXirTj-JcTNufFmqifUKrQTp7jsT6yZGLMf2fQGcCVT1g5tkmfTFWkEMqaIPvW7qf1OUAtRZKNe4n8mB-6sxiO7bFrq3vOCMZ4rJcboVT5ZTNDR5PMXcKKHWZ7Gg4-isDfpTH7/s1600/20170726_151914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNhgunBtXirTj-JcTNufFmqifUKrQTp7jsT6yZGLMf2fQGcCVT1g5tkmfTFWkEMqaIPvW7qf1OUAtRZKNe4n8mB-6sxiO7bFrq3vOCMZ4rJcboVT5ZTNDR5PMXcKKHWZ7Gg4-isDfpTH7/s400/20170726_151914.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steep part with Tweedy in the background</td></tr>
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By this time the sprinkle turned into a light drizzle and everything was wet. Rocks became a bit more willing to move and we took turns descending the scree section to avoid knocking anything onto the person below us. Unfortunately, Sara did a great job of knocking a rock onto her own hand, which sliced completely through the fingernail on her little finger. Blood went everywhere.<br />
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At this point I was a ways below tucked behind a large boulder to avoid potential scree from Sara's travel, and Cory was stopped fifty feet above Sara to avoid sending rocks down on her. The only problem was Cory had the lone first aid kit. I quickly worked my way back up to Sara and Cory executed a perfect throw of the first aid kit that would land him on any MLB team and I was able to secure the fingernail in place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd70foUXg_7PCQPjg_5r7kaX1u15quVq_sj-1Gzo0Fve8z31VBjTh3PXVaGBT-2OmROLdglHyWCYWanq59FHRW74g-ljZDCXnkdMHEZT2b9fPeyUcpiPi_tjjE89RqTgBz7neYsPAWVgr/s1600/20170726_151510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd70foUXg_7PCQPjg_5r7kaX1u15quVq_sj-1Gzo0Fve8z31VBjTh3PXVaGBT-2OmROLdglHyWCYWanq59FHRW74g-ljZDCXnkdMHEZT2b9fPeyUcpiPi_tjjE89RqTgBz7neYsPAWVgr/s400/20170726_151510.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara starting to descend in the rain</td></tr>
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At this point we still had another 750-1,000' of steep, wet, and technical descending to get to the wrong side of the lake, and then a bushwhack around the water's edge to the trail before running the nine or 10 miles out David Creek. 12 challenging miles with a bleeding finger.<br />
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After carefully picking our way through rest of the scree, snowbank, and large boulders, we hit the flat lake section and were able to re-wrap Sara's finger to better stem the blood. From there she tucked her hand into her shoulder straps, a la Kilian Jornet at Hardrock, and we could run/walk the rest of the way out.<br />
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Even without reaching the summit of Torrey we managed nearly 26 miles with over 6,000' of climbing, most of which was off trail. Now I understand why people do not attempt both Tweedy and Torrey in the same day from the East side.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEcVkURShC2OW_cyWCOcBcU2lINqxuSzbXjvIPWAfpyBInmlIKEQ7wd4yBxqV3zat9JkQsxfUBdtufSdMPBOAyRNCPAvc-ijfZvPy8RK0uSogEr0GOFZDjtOkM5f4EBXubFVfwx6EL_CG/s1600/20170726_164437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEcVkURShC2OW_cyWCOcBcU2lINqxuSzbXjvIPWAfpyBInmlIKEQ7wd4yBxqV3zat9JkQsxfUBdtufSdMPBOAyRNCPAvc-ijfZvPy8RK0uSogEr0GOFZDjtOkM5f4EBXubFVfwx6EL_CG/s320/20170726_164437.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory walking it out</td></tr>
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For those of you concerned, after driving to Dillon to pick up proper, dry first aid supplies and a night in the sterile conditions of Motel 6, Sara's fingernail made a full recovery and she is back running and climbing mountains.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8opqq1OFSxQcRzcOR8fdGqgX7Px2unP24a1IMzUSLQozXM1T0P_PTrbVUM8cd7SkyNyxha1KoYtRi8JnoCYKiy3l1a3I9Sm4Wr74ntB3JqVd94Gk0WwmZXKHXH7N-d-eCgSmcdnPSrP8/s1600/20170726_210739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8opqq1OFSxQcRzcOR8fdGqgX7Px2unP24a1IMzUSLQozXM1T0P_PTrbVUM8cd7SkyNyxha1KoYtRi8JnoCYKiy3l1a3I9Sm4Wr74ntB3JqVd94Gk0WwmZXKHXH7N-d-eCgSmcdnPSrP8/s400/20170726_210739.jpg" title="Tweedy Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara's finger after cleaning</td></tr>
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<br />Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-2344974757598430752017-11-16T16:55:00.000-07:002017-11-16T17:08:22.459-07:00Sacagawea Peak - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMTf6FiLckMVIRx0d1vdkWqWJzWui9a6nfyUvwodEg8DvHVE-uBl3J-dPTi4ErWxdfgWKzL0BI39_J1xnFJvze-fmYMLDw73b1rz7SdjZ60j_jr_jN-aeZGfBF4Yj6WSPyQlhyGmy8U9m/s1600/20170721_163546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMTf6FiLckMVIRx0d1vdkWqWJzWui9a6nfyUvwodEg8DvHVE-uBl3J-dPTi4ErWxdfgWKzL0BI39_J1xnFJvze-fmYMLDw73b1rz7SdjZ60j_jr_jN-aeZGfBF4Yj6WSPyQlhyGmy8U9m/s400/20170721_163546.jpg" title="Montana Mountain Project - Sacagawea Peak" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara on top of Naya Nuki with Sacagawea in the background</td></tr>
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In the world of Montana running, Sacagawea Peak is very well known. Not because of the peak itself, but because it is the marker for the top of the first climb in the iconic <a href="http://winddrinkers.org/trailhead/races/ridge-run/">Bridger Ridge Run</a> just outside Bozeman. Sacagawea is near the northern end of the Bridger Range and marks the high point of both the range, and the 20 mile ridge run.<br />
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In late July Sara and I used another race, the <a href="http://www.crosscutrun.com/">Cross Cut 25k</a>, as an excuse to spend the night at Fairy Lake and summit Sacagawea. We drove into Fairy Lake on a Friday afternoon, found a campsite, and then set out up the trail.<br />
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From Fairy Lake a well-worn trail ascends consistently up through the trees and into a long bowl, which serves as the faucet that fills Fairy Lake. The first bit of the climb through the trees offers glimpses of the nearby alpine terrain, but once reaching treeline the trail is stunning, assuming you like mountains and rocks and snow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_m5Bkq5gSQyAoznihXQwXliu6N2PujVjj21lJ9v4-V4Is87nXPPQCFIZ9sC_f3U-BWANR7rmO3EOt8I1YNstrcJq3J73-jS3-jolxbSigKqFYHbzuoK6IcVBDgWt20bZuEH_J1QjIJEU/s1600/20170721_154849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_m5Bkq5gSQyAoznihXQwXliu6N2PujVjj21lJ9v4-V4Is87nXPPQCFIZ9sC_f3U-BWANR7rmO3EOt8I1YNstrcJq3J73-jS3-jolxbSigKqFYHbzuoK6IcVBDgWt20bZuEH_J1QjIJEU/s400/20170721_154849.jpg" title="Montana Mountain Project - Sacagawea Peak" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara nearing the top of the bowl</td></tr>
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Often it seems like features in this part of the country are named after three people, Merriwether Lewis, John Clark, or Jim Bridger. This small, but glorious range, adopted the name of the latter in recognition of Bridger's creation of the "Bridger Trail." This route led from the gold fields in Montana to the Oregon Trail, which is known for ruining every 90's elementary school kid's desire for westward exploration. Jim Bridger first used this route in 1864 as an alternate to the Bozeman Trail. Bridger's knowledge of the area after a 1959 topographical exploratory trip made him a natural fit to lead 10 wagons on a new and hopefully safer route. After the initial successful trip, Bridger was tapped to guide for Powder River Expeditions and never again made a trip on his namesake trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTcDjhrrX9vvE7GGc7QMCNosnVYVQQwlfPNctXPw1JM1KIMSuvAXZeY0n6ptPWU0PdscGN3kDBCd8TKuHYV-_V2JBLm7jQKXoYhlC0rqZ_PG_qEJeGx_rAIdszLKlYCU85JEYER2HbpIF/s1600/20170721_160255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTcDjhrrX9vvE7GGc7QMCNosnVYVQQwlfPNctXPw1JM1KIMSuvAXZeY0n6ptPWU0PdscGN3kDBCd8TKuHYV-_V2JBLm7jQKXoYhlC0rqZ_PG_qEJeGx_rAIdszLKlYCU85JEYER2HbpIF/s320/20170721_160255.jpg" title="Montana Mountain Project - Sacagawea Peak" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning the climb to the summit</td></tr>
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The Bridger Mountains National Recreation Trail, which Sara and I followed up from Fairy Lake, did not have near the dangers that Jim Bridger faced on any of his adventures, but we did face a very strong, gusty headwind as we emerged from the trees. As we hiked up to the head of the bowl we watched descending hikers repeatedly battle swirling dust devils and laughed until we realized we would hit the same wind funnel in a quarter mile.<br />
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Because it was a warm day in July, however, the wind seemed like a minor nuisance and we quickly gained the ridge. From there it was a fairly straight shot up the last 1,000' to the summit. On the way up, however, we decided to bypass the summit on the way out and tag the top of Naya Nuki, the next peak south, because the name is spectacular.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ71s1TjrxOJ99Z_JrpB8sKQ4ZkEpMqeZBFFSABF9wMiZz2vZGVZM_u6wReJIAy8QWodcbIq-MEEDp6HsdIus_rIe1DK-NJRUX04IN7mzooahiVJAu7M2qYeAG7bq-E-1La2N89T8oK93/s1600/20170721_165328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ71s1TjrxOJ99Z_JrpB8sKQ4ZkEpMqeZBFFSABF9wMiZz2vZGVZM_u6wReJIAy8QWodcbIq-MEEDp6HsdIus_rIe1DK-NJRUX04IN7mzooahiVJAu7M2qYeAG7bq-E-1La2N89T8oK93/s320/20170721_165328.jpg" title="Montana Mountain Project - Sacagawea Peak" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Sacagawea</td></tr>
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After standing on top of Naya Nuki we turned and went back north, but stayed on the ridge as much as possible rather than drop the 30 feet down to the trail. The top of Sacagawea Peak is wonderful. The day Sara and I went up there was just enough smoke to limit views of distant ranges, but that meant we focused more on the Bridger Range itself. Looking down the ridgeline made me want to follow it into the setting sun. I could easily see why people come back year after year to do the Bridger Ridge Run.<br />
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That night our sleep in the Fairy Lake campground was interrupted, not by Friday night partiers, but by a roving heard of mountain goats. They tromped around for a few hours looking for scraps of food, banging heads together, and generally caused a ruckus that left a smile on my face.<br />
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Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228486097842549435.post-30344801583924899272017-07-12T18:59:00.001-06:002017-07-12T18:59:57.548-06:00Table Mountain - Montana Mountain Project<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMsV0Lj3zbzW3fsWaPSe9e8KCu86DB62CnHPncNggiSfYSMO0Rd4zJEN_S5oKyDteWVvQ-PjTWYZsvk1S_ejeo46AYE8yh62NiGu7D0QgOZhxyjD20E0ie73oResu8sxQK0ZoB0MkY5ZU/s1600/20170624_155407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMsV0Lj3zbzW3fsWaPSe9e8KCu86DB62CnHPncNggiSfYSMO0Rd4zJEN_S5oKyDteWVvQ-PjTWYZsvk1S_ejeo46AYE8yh62NiGu7D0QgOZhxyjD20E0ie73oResu8sxQK0ZoB0MkY5ZU/s400/20170624_155407.jpg" title="Table Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at Monument Peak and Table Mountain</td></tr>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Some mountains are named for people, some are named for nearby geographic features, and some are named (sometimes accurately) for their appearance. Table Mountain in the Highlands is aptly named from any vantage point. As the highest point in the Highland Range just south of Butte, it is visible from both I-90 and I-15. From the interstates, and from adjoining ridgelines, it still appears flat enough to eat off of.</span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Last year I made a half-hearted attempt with my brother from the north side. Although we did not reach the summit of Table that day, we did spend a wonderful 30 minutes on the top of Monument Peak (locally named) sharing a beer and enjoying the fading light. I knew when I attempted Table Mountain again I wanted to access it from the same direction. </span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This year a group of four of us, Sara, Cory Soulliard, Marisa Sowles, and I, drove up the road after the <a href="http://buttespissandmoanrunners.com/Butte%20Races/CDT-14K/cdt_14k.htm">Wulfman's 14k</a> trail race for an afternoon adventure. Part of the appeal of the north side approach is the high elevation driving access. Although I normally prefer the long days on foot, after a morning of racing reducing the overall elevation gain seemed like a great idea. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x4ry3wh2ZSfuI5_GL0NtS2OHw5KMkMPxzeQjijAQxsAz99Wt3U5DHuIFxJEqUXUa2cHKP6v-zI-bXSRJ2aLR6IgqKLFe28tFp_H7SuBQ_BUXmaI-WNR9xFHuNoTpL117Gw3xHMe9rcQN/s1600/20170624_163159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x4ry3wh2ZSfuI5_GL0NtS2OHw5KMkMPxzeQjijAQxsAz99Wt3U5DHuIFxJEqUXUa2cHKP6v-zI-bXSRJ2aLR6IgqKLFe28tFp_H7SuBQ_BUXmaI-WNR9xFHuNoTpL117Gw3xHMe9rcQN/s400/20170624_163159.jpg" title="Table Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working up to Monument Peak from Red Mountain</td></tr>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We parked near the treeline of Red Mountain and after a few minutes of walking popped out into the open. For the next three miles to the summit of Table Mountain we would be entirely on a ridge with unadulterated views of the surrounding peaks and valleys; the other appeal of an approach from the north side. </span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Because of the gentle slope to the alpine, the northern slope of Red Mountain is home to an old fire-lookout constructed in 1939. Although it is no longer manned and the outhouse has lost its door (creating one of the best views for conducting business in the process) the tower itself is still in good condition. One night in 1953, however, it nearly blew to pieces. </span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">According to the Montana Standard via <a href="http://montanalookouts.weebly.com/">montanalookouts.weebly.com</a> the ranger on duty the night of September 20th experienced firsthand the power of a storm. A stray bolt of lightening followed a radio line into the tower and blew out 70 panes of glass and a hole in the infrastructure. Don McPherson, the ranger, momentarily lost consciousness, but was otherwise unhurt and managed to hike six miles through a howling rainstorm to report the destruction. That bolt of lightening may explain the multiple lightening rods currently on the lookout and adjoining radio towers. Fortunately for us, we were able to appreciate the view from the lookout on a sunny day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbDV7SbItow_scEjWP4kvxcl7-IhIqaLPbBt9lkmNwtSVF3lfSFn1v_OENjMaz0sxBOIoFyxG7CCMf-S_L8pSTUoxV8TmBsO0LOT5bGrxkxV7rzucIJfMPzKFxBFohGTWIuH3h9gVB0eO/s1600/20170624_184140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbDV7SbItow_scEjWP4kvxcl7-IhIqaLPbBt9lkmNwtSVF3lfSFn1v_OENjMaz0sxBOIoFyxG7CCMf-S_L8pSTUoxV8TmBsO0LOT5bGrxkxV7rzucIJfMPzKFxBFohGTWIuH3h9gVB0eO/s400/20170624_184140.jpg" title="Table Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrambling back from Table Mountain</td></tr>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our route took us up and over Red Mountain and around a large bowl containing a few small lakes, mountain goats (seen last year), and more rocks than I could count in a few lifetimes. Geologically, however, there are two distinct portions of the ridge, at least in appearance. The north half, which contains Red Mountain and the locally known Monument Peak, is comprised of a red shale type rock that makes for unstable walking. Just south of Monument Peak, however, the rock appears more volcanic in origin. The ridge line also switches from a knife edge to a more gentle, rolling slope covered in hundreds of shades of tiny flowers, at least on the outside of the bowl. The inside of the bowl remained a game of Chutes and Ladders, but played with couloirs and cliffs. </span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For being a relatively small range with only 3 1/2 points truly above treeline, the Highlands are exceptionally high in altitude by Montana standards. Table Mountain tops out above 10,000' and Red Mountain and Monument Peak are not far behind. After a morning of racing I think we all wanted for oxygen during the uphill portions of our hike. And by the time we traversed the length of the ridge and reached the summit of Table Mountain we were (at least I was) on the verge of hangry.</span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But then Cory saved the day and pulled out a full watermelon that he smuggled up the mountain. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugKT0uBDoVUZM8tDfxacgb4FIOeMMFDti91mQW6-Yd15JnKwVyuaIUs60RGT8SJjCOvVg05MlVEz-zndeSH_pOgAsBqIoCKaEZLchdgSHv6BfoKuHHcFAxIu_bzVXbe0Jzuf90XRqC711/s1600/20170624_172628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugKT0uBDoVUZM8tDfxacgb4FIOeMMFDti91mQW6-Yd15JnKwVyuaIUs60RGT8SJjCOvVg05MlVEz-zndeSH_pOgAsBqIoCKaEZLchdgSHv6BfoKuHHcFAxIu_bzVXbe0Jzuf90XRqC711/s320/20170624_172628.jpg" title="Table Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory saving the day!</td></tr>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cory placed third in Wulfman's 14k and his prize was this watermelon, which at that moment on the top of Table Mountain seemed like the greatest award possible. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After enjoying the afternoon sun and imbibing in our fill of the fountain of youth on a rind, we set off back down the slopes with high spirits. </span><br />
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Only a half mile from the summit Zeno disappeared. He had been running over to the edge of the cliffs and grabbing a bite of snow then returning to make sure he didn't fall behind. After one snow run, he didn't come back. I got curious and walked over to where he ran and saw footprints leading straight off the edge of the snowy couloir. With my panic level rising I quickly dropped my pack and leaned over the edge to where I could see the entire exposed face. Fortunately I didn't see blood or hear screaming. Zeno was 90 feet down and attempting to climb back up.<br />
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From the top I yelled at him to stay, still unsure of his health, and then ran fifty feet along the ridge until I found a break in the cliffs I could scramble down. I wanted to get across from him so he would not keep trying to crawl up and get hurt in another slide down. After a few sketchy jumps across other couloirs and three short scrambles I was able to reach him in the snow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji286J3Xq1qMiBCjy0mxMKAMBbrrp_x8ag1e2ScbYUA7YI_Uj0FL9_Wo0_VjxykEWIkC85FlJIheEo7IXpLJJiRqU0xv0R2215zv2n0x7d4CNkYpH1t-yswfebTc0nbU9wOOJKz0cCxdTN/s1600/20170624_174729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji286J3Xq1qMiBCjy0mxMKAMBbrrp_x8ag1e2ScbYUA7YI_Uj0FL9_Wo0_VjxykEWIkC85FlJIheEo7IXpLJJiRqU0xv0R2215zv2n0x7d4CNkYpH1t-yswfebTc0nbU9wOOJKz0cCxdTN/s400/20170624_174729.jpg" title="Table Mountain - Montana Mountain Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Table Mountain with <a href="http://boughnerblog.blogspot.com/2017/01/hollowtop-mountain-montana-mountain.html">Tobacco Roots</a> in the background</td></tr>
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To get back up I had to lift him up steep sections while trying to keep him from going across other snow fields that would send him spiraling down the slope again. I finally managed to get him close to the top where Cory could grab him. By the time I stood back up on the ridge, Zeno was running around like nothing happened. Aside from using the rest of my weeks supply of adrenaline, and Zeno cracking one toenail on his paws, nothing bad happened. He did not, however, go near the snow again.<br />
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The traverse back across the ridgeline was uneventful and we were able to appreciate the late afternoon light as it turned everything a darker shade of orange. Despite nearly losing our dog, we had a great day in the Highlands and look forward to going back and exploring the lower ridgeline to the south. Some days I wonder if the Montana Mountain Project is worth it, but then when I'm actually up in the mountains experiencing all that a new range has to offer, I can't imagine doing anything else: especially on a day like this with good friends, a good view, and a watermelon.<br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Forrest Boughnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270360627031016021noreply@blogger.com0