Bitterroot Mountains, Montana
A half mile from camp is a trailhead.
That is convenient for most trailheads require driving to them which presents a problem for me.
The trail was like this, a gradual climb all the way.
Occasionally the trail came close the Bass Creek
but for most of the route I could only hear the sound of the cascading waters.
This couple passed me on the trail. Rarely if ever do I get passed while hiking. Well, I had stopped to look at a snake (no photo) when they passed by but no doubt they would have caught me anyway. So I followed along behind them for awhile, wheezing in some parts perspiring in all.
Geez, I’ve lost it.
Well they were half my age after all so I need to not be so hard on myself.
I quit trying to keep up when I spotted this mushroom (a good excuse).
This fungi belongs to the Russulaceae family which some are edible and some not.
Really? You bring a mask with you when hiking miles back into the wilderness?
And then, all of a sudden there was the lake.
The clouds had rolled in just before I arrived.
It would have been a nicer photo with blue skies.
And blue skies they were for it had rained the previous night clearing away the smoke.
I sat here enjoying the view all around,
ate my snack, drank the last of my water, then got up to return home.
A cep mushroom also known as a penny bun.
They are extremely popular in many cuisines.
Greene’s mountain ash.
The berries are food for many birds and mammals.
I don’t know about people. This people didn’t try it.
I had a great time on this hike.
It was nice to get out onto an established trail and be in nature again.
Unfortunately when I got back home I discovered my hiking boot was finally coming apart.
There are a lot of miles on those boots.
I just don’t know if there are a lot of miles left in me to warrant buying a new pair.
Statistics: Length of hike - 5.54 miles round trip
Elevation - 3715’ to 4565’ 850 feet gain in altitude
Time going up - Forever (well over an hour)
Time coming down - Nothing at all (half an hour)
Overall impression - Outstanding!
4 comments:
Berries from mountain ash makes a great jelly to use as a condiment to especially wild meat (moose, venison) but the berries need to have been frozen on the stems to gain the right sugar content.
That looks like a perfect hike! I am so envious. Beautiful. I miss walks in nature away from the city and crowds. Sigh...
What a beautiful place! I don't understand why people drop their masks wherever they feel like. If you're too weak to carry that mask until you get to a trash can, I think you should be laying down instead of walking.
The lake views are spectacular! Yes, you need to buy some new boots. You've got years ahead to break them in!
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