There is another lake a mile beyond Upper Blossom Lake. I thought it would be interesting to show some of the trail to it as it climbs up and over a ridge which, at 6,500 feet, goes through a few remaining snowbanks before it drops down to Pear Lake.
Gorgeous countryside.
Comment by wordsfromanneli — August 6, 2012 @ 11:55 pm
This is in Lolo National Forest and the Coeur d’Alene Mountains. A very pretty section of wild country.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:40 pm
Strikingly reminiscent of some of our hikes in the lower elevations of British Columbia… Sigh. Just perfect.
Comment by FeyGirl — August 7, 2012 @ 5:46 am
We have much of the same climate and flora as B.C. does. The wildflower guide that I use most comes from B.C.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:42 pm
Ah… Interesting! I had no idea!
Comment by FeyGirl — August 8, 2012 @ 6:29 am
Those red flowers look almost like Indian Paintbrush. I see you do have it (and it’s the Wyoming state flower!) so perhaps it is. Lovely photos – they make me eager for fall and hiking weather again.
Comment by shoreacres — August 7, 2012 @ 6:18 am
Yes, those are Indian Paints. They are sprinkled around wherever there is an opening in the trees in this area. Lots of them though in lower elevations.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:43 pm
It doesn’t look like there will be many traveling that path, and that’s a good thing.Keep it every bit as beautiful as it is now.
Comment by New Hampshire Gardener — August 7, 2012 @ 6:24 am
By the condition of the trail it was very clear that most of the traffic didn’t go past the lower lake and hardly any made it past the second. Just the way I like it!
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:45 pm
Ooh, I want to be there!
Comment by Val — August 7, 2012 @ 6:34 am
It’s a pleasant place to be, Val!
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:45 pm
Reminds me of a song that starts “Come and take a walk with me through this green and growing land…”
Comment by Kim — August 7, 2012 @ 8:03 am
Yes, that trail is an invitation!
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:49 pm
Just plain beautiful…I can smell the forest. One thing though….how do you deal with all the traffic? LOL
Comment by dhphotosite — August 7, 2012 @ 9:27 am
The traffic? Well, when you hear the sound of their hooves, just step aside a ways and let them through.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:50 pm
I would sooooo love to live in an area like that!
Comment by allbymyself09 — August 7, 2012 @ 11:34 am
I could never leave western Montana again.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:51 pm
Oh, that little path looks so very inviting!
Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — August 7, 2012 @ 1:40 pm
It is. Even when I get very tired I just have to go just around the next bend in the trail, then just to the top of the next rise, then…
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:52 pm
looks like a nice trail. is there ever a time when there is no snow left?
Comment by skouba — August 7, 2012 @ 2:05 pm
The snow on the trail will most likely be gone in a couple more weeks, then it won’t be long until the first snows of fall start. This is a wonderful time to hike in the high country but something warm to wear must be in your pack just in case.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:54 pm
What a neat trail that is! These are the first photos you have posted that show how dark the forest can be there. I was going to ask about the red flowers, but see someone has. I am sure you didn’t miss seeing them.
Comment by sandy — August 7, 2012 @ 3:12 pm
Mush of the forest in that general area is quite thick. It get’s a lot of precipitation as the weather fronts hit the mountains. Very deep snow in the winter.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:56 pm
You have so much beautiful trails to hike, it’s wonderful ! I would love to hike this trail, and I’m sure my dog would love it too
Comment by Inspired and pretty — August 7, 2012 @ 4:22 pm
I’m sure your dog would enjoy it! Mine does.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 4:57 pm
I’m surprised at how well trodden that trail looks in spite of such a remote area. Things close up around here pretty quickly. There must be a really good crew to keep them so open and navigatable.
Comment by Merrill Gonzales — August 7, 2012 @ 6:47 pm
The trail to the lower lake was well maintained, but farther up it wasn’t. Sadly, this Ranger District is down to one trail crew this summer and with only one it’s just not possible to take care of all of the trails. They attempt to use their fire crews for trail work in spring and early summer before fire season, but that usually doesn’t work out very well. Interestingly, the wildlife also uses the trails a lot and their hooves actually help keep the tread of the trail clear.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 10:14 pm
Do you take your dog usually? Stunning scenery.
Comment by Candace — August 7, 2012 @ 10:28 pm
I take her on a lot of walks and hikes near home, but not in bear country or on the longer mountains hikes. She loves it, but requires a lot of attention when we are hiking. On a hike not far from the house she tangled with a coyote a few months ago and had a pretty good bite mark on her behind.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 11:22 pm
Yikes, that’s scary.
Comment by Candace — August 8, 2012 @ 6:34 pm
It turned out OK. I think she must have stumbled across a den with coyote pups and mama got aggressive.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 8:51 pm
I love the trail photos, Terry…I take so many of them when I’m out and wonder if anyone else really enjoys them like I do…it’s nice to see that at least one other person does.
Comment by seekraz — August 9, 2012 @ 8:51 am
I sure do love them! Trails like these are real treasures and I’m glad that you enjoy them as much as I do!
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 7:53 pm
Very much so, Terry…and it’s a whole body thing, too…feet, legs, lungs, the feel of a pack on the back…all of the visual stimuli…the smells…all wonderful.
Comment by seekraz — August 9, 2012 @ 8:01 pm
Hard to explain all of that to someone who has not experienced it, isn’t it!
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 8:14 pm
Yes, it is…like speaking Greek to them.
Comment by seekraz — August 9, 2012 @ 8:24 pm
What a beautifully rugged country!
Comment by Watching Seasons — August 9, 2012 @ 10:34 am
It is! Places like this which have never been exploited give insight into what the earth was like thousands of years ago. I feel fortunate to be able to see them.
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 7:57 pm
I had to look at Your great photos many time and I enjoyed very much walking on the trail thru Your photos.
Comment by Sartenada — August 9, 2012 @ 11:08 pm
I’m pleased that you enjoy the trail photos, Matti! I know you would enjoy seeing these places because of your love for nature. The roadless areas are very natural and have not been altered by man other that by a few foot and horse trails into them.
Comment by montucky — August 10, 2012 @ 9:24 pm