Beyond the Fairy Slippers

Nearly all of my photos result from my frequent wanderings in the mountains and forests of western Montana. The wildflowers in my previous post were encountered on the way to a hike to view the peaks of the Cherry Peak roadless area, something I choose to do at least once every year. After a ten mile drive from the valley to a starting point at 5000 feet and a two mile hike from there up an old road to 6000 feet I arrive at my preferred viewing spot with an open view of the north side of the peaks. Mountains are always viewed best from high places.

The road at 6000 feet

Wood violets (Viola glabella) in bloom just below the snow level.

View to the northwest over the Clark Fork River.

View of Koo-Koo Sint Ridge north of the river from the access road.

November 2010

Today I walked for a few miles up the canyon of a nearby creek in a light rain and much to my satisfaction found the beaver colony there to be active and flourishing. It was unusual to walk in the rain at the end of November. The above photo was taken on November 26, 2010; a more normal year.

Rain shower below Sunset Peak

Mother Nature is watering her forest garden in the Coeur d’Alenes. (July 1, 2012)

Missing the high country

This time of year when snow and ice close the forest access roads into the mountains I severely miss hiking on the high country trails. It is a good time to visit some memories of the past fall.

These photos were taken in September of 2010 about two miles south of the Eddy Peak lookout along trail 1130 toward Cherry Peak in the Cherry Peak roadless area of the Coeur d’Alene Mountains.

Aspens up toward Mexico Saddle

Photo was taken on October 19, 2010 in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains in western Montana

Scene from September

There are a group of photos taken on a trek in September that haven’t yet been posted. I thought I would work them in when I haven’t much for new ones. This one is a scene in the Cherry Peak roadless area in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains south of Eddy Peak.