It’s certainly a pretty place. When I visit a place like this it serves to strengthen my resolve to seek out other remote places and enjoy what I find there. I will remember this scene and on the next trips out it will influence the decision to tackle that extra mile or two beyond.
Wow! Spectacular! Two years ago we drove through Montana and all along the Clark Fork River and the MIssouri I kept wanting to stop to take pictures. It’s so scenic! Lots of calendar photo material there.
I’ve got to tell you, your photos are the highlight of my days. For just a few minutes I can escape into your wilderness and pretend I’m feeling the cool fresh air, smelling the pines, hearing the golden eagles. You have no idea how I envy you while I’m stuck here in Mis-eri. Never was too fond of MO.
This is the farthest and smallest lake of that hike, right? Also the most beautiful …. if people would see this photo, they would definitely suffer the extra miles of hiking it took to get to it. Thanks for taking that long hike and sharing the beauty of it.
The hardest part of any hike for me is getting from the house to the trailhead. After that, the beauty just pulls you along and it’s all downhill, even if it’s uphill!
After having such a hot, dry summer it seems incredible to see snow still surviving. It must stay quite cool there, but I would still expect all that stone to absorb quite a lot of heat.
It is always cool there as it was that day. The forest is quite dense and shades the snow that piles up there in winter. The snow field at the far end of the lake was probably over 30 feet deep by spring as the snow blew in over the ridge. The rocky slope gets morning sun, but is in afternoon shade. Those rocks also get very cold at night when the temperatures there are in the 30′s and 40′s even in mid summer.
Hi Montucky, What an inviting lake! The scenery is so beautiful one could just stand and look at it all. Thanks for sharing. The snow looks cool. Hot hot and stormy here in TN so the view of that snow is great! Have the best Thursday tomorrow!
What kind of trees are those? I’ve done some looking and decided they’re pine rather than spruce, but a couple on the right surely are straight and tall enough to make a fine mast if they were spruce. It a beautiful photo of a wonderful spot. The blue-green of the water on the left is just gorgeous.
There’s quite a mixture of trees in that part of the forest, several species of fir, white pine, lodgepole pine and hemlock, but there is little or no spruce there. The trees right near the lake are mostly subalpine fir. They can get up to a hundred feet tall, but usually don’t live more than 400 years. Their configuration lets them deal well with winter ice and heavy snow. Their wood though is light soft and low density, not suitable for a mast.
The temperature near those snow banks is also so refreshing! I always remember that they are part of the water cycle that keeps this world alive too. They are still holding water until the next winter cycle replenishes the watershed.
I often sit and admire it myself and certainly enjoy the sights from the trails. Black bears are quite plentiful in this range of mountains, the Coeur d’Alenes. Twenty or so miles to the north it gets into the range of the Grizzlies. There was wolf sign just above the lake too.
I could use a dose of that serenity right now! Such a beautiful setting… I don’t see how you can leave a place like the. It’s easy to see why the Native Americans went “out” to take their last breaths.
I leave places like that knowing that I will return, if not to that place then to one like it, as many times as I can in the time remaining to me. The old Indian people had no real fear of death, and the more time I spend in that wild and natural country the more I understand their feelings and beliefs. The natural sequence of things is exactly what it is and being there and observing it leads one to understanding where we fit into the whole.
Yes, it’s a very pretty and pristine little lake. Tomorrow I will visit another one about 5 miles from that one and I’ve heard that it’s really nice too. I hope the trail will be good!
I’d enjoy sitting there for a loooong time pondering that view. It’s got it all.
Comment by Candace — August 7, 2012 @ 10:30 pm
Yes, I’ve been contemplating spending a night there later on.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 11:26 pm
Ok, now this needs to be hung on walls across the world! That is one absolutely & undeniably gorgeous view!!! Bravo!
Comment by Tricia — August 7, 2012 @ 10:45 pm
It’s certainly a pretty place. When I visit a place like this it serves to strengthen my resolve to seek out other remote places and enjoy what I find there. I will remember this scene and on the next trips out it will influence the decision to tackle that extra mile or two beyond.
Comment by montucky — August 7, 2012 @ 11:41 pm
Wow! Spectacular! Two years ago we drove through Montana and all along the Clark Fork River and the MIssouri I kept wanting to stop to take pictures. It’s so scenic! Lots of calendar photo material there.
Comment by wordsfromanneli — August 8, 2012 @ 12:35 am
Yes, it’s a beautiful part of the country and it’s pretty usual to see folks taking pictures of it.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:28 pm
Picture…PERFECT. This would be hard to leave…
Comment by FeyGirl — August 8, 2012 @ 5:45 am
Hard to leave, but I already am looking forward to the next visit.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:29 pm
I’ve got to tell you, your photos are the highlight of my days. For just a few minutes I can escape into your wilderness and pretend I’m feeling the cool fresh air, smelling the pines, hearing the golden eagles. You have no idea how I envy you while I’m stuck here in Mis-eri.
Never was too fond of MO.
Comment by Homestead Ramblings — August 8, 2012 @ 6:29 am
I’m very pleased that you enjoy seeing the Montana back country. I have loved it for many decades!
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:30 pm
This is the farthest and smallest lake of that hike, right? Also the most beautiful …. if people would see this photo, they would definitely suffer the extra miles of hiking it took to get to it. Thanks for taking that long hike and sharing the beauty of it.
Comment by bearyweather — August 8, 2012 @ 7:09 am
I think you are right, if more folks knew it was that pretty it would get more visitors. Some though just don’t care for the remoteness of it.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:32 pm
The hardest part of any hike for me is getting from the house to the trailhead. After that, the beauty just pulls you along and it’s all downhill, even if it’s uphill!
Comment by Kim — August 8, 2012 @ 7:38 am
Yes, once you start, the next bend in the trail, the hill coming up ahead, the flowers, the plants, all just invite you to keep going.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:34 pm
After having such a hot, dry summer it seems incredible to see snow still surviving. It must stay quite cool there, but I would still expect all that stone to absorb quite a lot of heat.
Comment by New Hampshire Gardener — August 8, 2012 @ 9:00 am
It is always cool there as it was that day. The forest is quite dense and shades the snow that piles up there in winter. The snow field at the far end of the lake was probably over 30 feet deep by spring as the snow blew in over the ridge. The rocky slope gets morning sun, but is in afternoon shade. Those rocks also get very cold at night when the temperatures there are in the 30′s and 40′s even in mid summer.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:38 pm
Interesting stuff!
Comment by New Hampshire Gardener — August 9, 2012 @ 8:19 am
Yes. I’m fascinated by the way the system works in the wild country and I appreciate the opportunity to see it first hand.
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 8:08 pm
That is such a lovely place! I don’t remember you posting it before. Even the snow looks great.
Comment by sandy — August 8, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
That was my first visit to Pear Lake and I’m glad I made the trip. I will return and I think the next time I’ll stay the night.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:39 pm
Snow! I’m ready for some of that about now. This would be a lovely place to camp!
Comment by jomegat — August 8, 2012 @ 7:47 pm
The lower lake gets campers quite often, and I saw signs of horse campers at the second one. This one probably gets very few.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:40 pm
W-O-W! your blog is my escape everyday!!
Comment by skouba — August 8, 2012 @ 8:00 pm
I’m glad, Stacey! I’ll make a Montanan out of you yet!
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:41 pm
ha ha! I wish! it is just too cold for me I think. We did enjoy our stay there and I feel blessed to have gotten to visit.
Comment by skouba — August 10, 2012 @ 12:15 pm
Hi Montucky, What an inviting lake! The scenery is so beautiful one could just stand and look at it all. Thanks for sharing. The snow looks cool. Hot hot and stormy here in TN so the view of that snow is great! Have the best Thursday tomorrow!
Comment by wildlifewatcher — August 8, 2012 @ 8:25 pm
It has been very hot here in the valley too for about the last month. Those cool mountain areas are real treats when it’s like this.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:43 pm
What kind of trees are those? I’ve done some looking and decided they’re pine rather than spruce, but a couple on the right surely are straight and tall enough to make a fine mast if they were spruce. It a beautiful photo of a wonderful spot. The blue-green of the water on the left is just gorgeous.
Comment by shoreacres — August 8, 2012 @ 9:07 pm
There’s quite a mixture of trees in that part of the forest, several species of fir, white pine, lodgepole pine and hemlock, but there is little or no spruce there. The trees right near the lake are mostly subalpine fir. They can get up to a hundred feet tall, but usually don’t live more than 400 years. Their configuration lets them deal well with winter ice and heavy snow. Their wood though is light soft and low density, not suitable for a mast.
Comment by montucky — August 8, 2012 @ 10:51 pm
So beautiful. Is there much birdlife up there?
Comment by Jo Woolf — August 9, 2012 @ 12:43 am
Probably not as much as in lower regions, but still there are a variety of species. They tend to be much shyer than the ones in the valleys.
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 7:59 pm
What a gorgeous landscape…and so refreshing to see snow in the midst of the summer heat!
Comment by Marcie — August 9, 2012 @ 6:33 am
The temperature near those snow banks is also so refreshing! I always remember that they are part of the water cycle that keeps this world alive too. They are still holding water until the next winter cycle replenishes the watershed.
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 8:01 pm
Absolutely beautiful!
Comment by Watching Seasons — August 9, 2012 @ 10:31 am
When I saw the lake I was overjoyed that I had made the extra hike to see it. I will return!
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 8:03 pm
Looks like the perfect place in a perfect world. Beautiful!
Comment by Wild_Bill — August 9, 2012 @ 11:35 am
Kind of like we think it should be, isn’t it!
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 8:03 pm
What a beautiful and peaceful area and where one could spend time alone with nature.
Comment by Anna Surface — August 9, 2012 @ 2:38 pm
Yes, the solitude is part of the beauty I think.
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 8:04 pm
What a stunning place. I love all the different shades of blue/green/gray in this landscape.
Comment by kateri — August 9, 2012 @ 8:27 pm
That area is right in the middle of its short summer now and all of the flora is at its peak.
Comment by montucky — August 9, 2012 @ 8:41 pm
I think that I could sit for hours and hours admiring this landscape. What about bears there?
Comment by Sartenada — August 9, 2012 @ 11:06 pm
I often sit and admire it myself and certainly enjoy the sights from the trails. Black bears are quite plentiful in this range of mountains, the Coeur d’Alenes. Twenty or so miles to the north it gets into the range of the Grizzlies. There was wolf sign just above the lake too.
Comment by montucky — August 10, 2012 @ 9:29 pm
Wow this spot is well worth the hike!!!
Comment by dhphotosite — August 10, 2012 @ 8:26 am
It is certainly worth it! I don’t know when I will next visit there, but I think I will stay the night at Pear Lake at the least.
Comment by montucky — August 10, 2012 @ 9:30 pm
I could use a dose of that serenity right now! Such a beautiful setting… I don’t see how you can leave a place like the. It’s easy to see why the Native Americans went “out” to take their last breaths.
Comment by kcjewel — August 10, 2012 @ 7:36 pm
I leave places like that knowing that I will return, if not to that place then to one like it, as many times as I can in the time remaining to me. The old Indian people had no real fear of death, and the more time I spend in that wild and natural country the more I understand their feelings and beliefs. The natural sequence of things is exactly what it is and being there and observing it leads one to understanding where we fit into the whole.
Comment by montucky — August 10, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
Just beautiful!
Comment by Fergiemoto — August 14, 2012 @ 10:38 pm
Yes, it’s a very pretty and pristine little lake. Tomorrow I will visit another one about 5 miles from that one and I’ve heard that it’s really nice too. I hope the trail will be good!
Comment by montucky — August 14, 2012 @ 10:50 pm