While we have enough snow in the valley, which means before the rains that are forecast for the next several days, I decided to go for a brief walk on snowshoes for the first time this season. Among other things, it reminded me how much fun it is to climb a steep hill on the shoes….NOT!
But the view from above the river was worth the effort.
Montana Outdoors 
this beauty simple renders me speechless…
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Comment by Sumedh Prasad — January 7, 2009 @ 3:56 am
I have “crampons” on the bottom of my Redfeather snowshoes… makes it a bit easier,.. but it’s still a challenge to go up steep slopes. I should be out playing in the snow today, we’re off from school with 6-12 inches due by tomorrow afternoon. Love the shots of the river,..
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Comment by Cedar — January 7, 2009 @ 7:33 am
Amazing views. Nothing like that near where I live.
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Comment by scienceguy288 — January 7, 2009 @ 8:44 am
Beautiful pictures! I was surprised the river was not iced over. I went snowshoeing a few wks ago in the fingerlakes area of NY and I realized right away that it was no picnic trying to get up a small incline. I had on the wooden ones and they were about 4 ft long, but, I really had a good time overall and loved walking through the woods with snowshoes, it was very peaceful, quiet and pretty.
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Comment by Ellen — January 7, 2009 @ 8:56 am
One of my finest memories of Montana is of snowshoeing at Logan Pass. But truth be told I preferred the smooth motion cross-country skiing!
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Comment by Scamp — January 7, 2009 @ 9:27 am
Oooooo! That’s *so* beautiful! So beautiful!! The middle shot of the river in particular is just *fantastic*. *Gorgeous*!
(I am *completely* disgusted by the weather today–40 degrees and raining and I just want my winter back. Hopefully this nasty warm snap won’t last too long.)
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Comment by gradschoolsara — January 7, 2009 @ 10:19 am
What beautiful shots! It’s obvious that if you go out in winter you almost have the mountains to yourself.
The Offspring and I got snowshoes for Christmas when I was home, but we didn’t get to try them out. Anchorage hasn’t gotten higher than -5 degrees for the past two weeks, and that’s just too cold for me to go traipsing around outside, you know?
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Comment by wolf — January 7, 2009 @ 10:20 am
Sumedh,
Worth getting out to see, isn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Cedar,
I have crampons too and they’re a life saver on steep slopes, especially descending! It’s wonderful how they work! Still, it’s slow going. I followed deer trails for a ways because they certainly know where to go.
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Scienceguy,
These Rocky Mountains do have a lot of variety. I often consider what it must have been like for the first European explorers to see them!
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 11:26 am
Ellen,
There is a small section of the river just downstream from where these photos were taken that does have ice clear across. It’s rare, because there is a quite fast and heavy current.
You’re right, it is so peaceful in the woods in winter. Snowshoes also force a slow pace which is a good thing!
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 11:30 am
Scamp,
I know what you mean, but I use the shoes because they let me go into areas close to home that just wouldn’t work for skis. One problem in this area is that it’s difficult to get to the trails in winter, and a long drive to areas developed for winter recreation.
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Sara,
I’m with you in wanting winter back! This is just a mess, and very unusual for this time of year. At least another week of it, too! I wish it were easier to get to the higher elevations where we’re getting snow instead of rain!
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 11:35 am
Wolf,
I dislike those sub-zero temps too. We get kind of fussy, don’t we? This time of year here the temps are usually in the twenties, we get used to it and have it pretty good, with snow and a comfortable temperature in which to enjoy it.
I can remember way back getting chinook winds, but they lasted only a couple of days and although they melted snow, they were dry so one could still get out and enjoy them.
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Wish it would just stay cold! Snow warmed up today and is like mortar–not good for skiing or ‘shoeing. But when it gets cold again, the surface will set and the snowshoe hares, foxes, etc will be happy to be able to get around easier.
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Comment by EcoRover — January 7, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
I wish it would stay cold too, as it usually does this time of year. It’s very surprising to see the warm weather up your way too even at that elevation!
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
Oh wow! What gorgeous photos! The snow almost looks like whipped cream in some of the captures. I love the 5th and 6th photos! Excellent. 🙂
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Comment by Anna Surface — January 7, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
It’s just a really pretty part of the country, Anna! I can’t help but bring back a bunch of photos when I go out!
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Comment by montucky — January 7, 2009 @ 7:40 pm
The next to last photo is phenomenally beautiful. There is a spiritual quality to it, and the pristine reflections in the water are timeless in their perfection of stillness. It leaves me breathless.
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Comment by Tabbie — January 8, 2009 @ 12:34 am
Tabbie,
I’m glad you like it! That makes the trip worthwhile!
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Comment by montucky — January 8, 2009 @ 9:40 am
All of your photos are fantastic, but these have to number among my favorites of all time!
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Comment by Pinhole — January 8, 2009 @ 11:17 am
it’s warm down here, and I wish it would stay this way! I love looking at your picts though. these are really gorgeous!
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Comment by silken — January 8, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Thanks, Pinhole! One of the curses of this country is that those scenes are no longer like that, but that’s also one of the blessings. They will be replaced by ones even prettier.
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Comment by montucky — January 9, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
Silken,
When I see your weather this time of year, I get a little nostalgic for the Arizona winters. If I were wealthy I would most certainly spend several of the winter months in the south.
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Comment by montucky — January 9, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
Montucky;
Melva really liked your pictures, especilly the fifth and sixth ones of the Arnold ranch. She was raised there untill I took her away in 1949. Keep up the good work.
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Comment by rich — January 10, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
Rich,
I’m glad she liked them! That is a beautiful place and a great place to grow up!
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Comment by montucky — January 11, 2009 @ 10:30 am
Breathtaking!!!!
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Comment by myinneredge — January 21, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
Thanks Sandy!
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Comment by montucky — January 21, 2009 @ 7:05 pm