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.

The peaks of the Cherry Peak Roadless area

In the Coeur d’Alene Mountains of western Montana ~ June 7, 2012

Air, land and water

Protect them as though your life depended on it.

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.

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.

In the clouds

These photos were taken from near the lookout on Eddy Mountain in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains on 9/22/10.