July 18, 2009
Blossom Lake
Today was forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far and a good friend and I chose to hike into the Evans Gulch roadless area. It was a good decision.
After a hike of about 2.5 miles on USFS trail 404, which is a beautiful hiking and horse trail that runs along the border between Montana and Idaho, we reached Blossom Lake. The trail winds through an old growth forest of tall firs, larch and pines which shade the length of the trail.
While the elevation of the lake is not especially high at about 5,600 feet, those are snow banks just above the shoreline toward the right side of the photo.
This lake and its many sisters are a vital part of the great watershed provided by the roadless areas of the Rocky Mountains. The Evans Gulch roadless area is just one of the many roadless areas in our National Forests for which Montana’s single pathetic member of the United States House of Representatives, Denney Rehberg, continually fights to deny the protection of wilderness designation.
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Montana Outdoors 
What very pretty scenery and how nice to see snow. Of course, maybe that’s not so unusual for you this time of year?
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Comment by Candace — July 18, 2009 @ 11:22 pm
It’s maybe a little unusual, but we had a normal amount of snow last winter for the first time in quite a few years. I’m not familiar with this lake, but it looks as though it might collect some pretty big drifts during the winter.
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Comment by montucky — July 18, 2009 @ 11:30 pm
I am always surprised by how the grassy areas go right to the water edge, and I can see shale or gravel there too. Probably remnants of an old landslide back in time?
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Comment by Cedar — July 19, 2009 @ 5:39 am
Those are commonly called rock slides, and they are made up of shale rock. They are somewhat stable, although walking across them can be a hazardous thing to do because the rocks are quite loose. There are lots of them in the higher area of western Montana.
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Comment by montucky — July 19, 2009 @ 9:55 am
Love the color of the water.
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Comment by kateri — July 19, 2009 @ 8:05 am
The water is crystal clear and reflects the colors of the trees, grassy slopes and sky. The color changes with light angle and conditions. Always beautiful though!
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Comment by montucky — July 19, 2009 @ 9:57 am
What a beautiful place in which to spend the hottest day so far. Did you jump in? 🙂
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Comment by Maureen — July 19, 2009 @ 8:36 am
I was tempted just a bit, but the temperature was mild and there was a slight breeze off the water so it felt just right: besides, the water there is still ice cold.
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Comment by montucky — July 19, 2009 @ 10:01 am
Such wonderful beauty!!
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Comment by 3bdigitalart — July 19, 2009 @ 11:19 am
It’s well worth the effort to hike into it, and I was rather pleased to see a number of small parties doing that. This area is easy to find, gets a little publicity and the trail is quite gentle and very pretty.
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Comment by montucky — July 19, 2009 @ 12:30 pm
What a lovely location. Looks so cool and inviting.
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Comment by SuzieQ — July 19, 2009 @ 11:24 am
It was in the upper 90’s in the low elevations of the valleys, which is very hot for here, but on the trail and at the lake it was much cooler with a slight breeze and the water was cold. We had lunch in a shady spot right on the lake shore and the temperature was just right. I think just looking at the water helps one feel cool, too.
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Comment by montucky — July 19, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
What beautiful captures these are! I especially like the third photo in its composition, lovely blue and green water, and soft sky. 🙂
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Comment by Anna Surface — July 20, 2009 @ 9:21 am
THe water colors really caught my eye. There are still snowbanks on this side of the high ridge too.
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Comment by montucky — July 20, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Ahh, Montana’s high-country lakes are the best, aren’t they?
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Comment by Patia — July 20, 2009 @ 11:29 am
They are indeed, Patia.
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Comment by montucky — July 20, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Seems like a Shangri La. Oh, and I looked up Rehberg online. What a comma.
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Comment by scienceguy288 — July 20, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
You mean an as*terisk.
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Comment by Patia — July 20, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
It is a nice retreat. And Rehberg… yeah, we’re blessed.
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Comment by montucky — July 20, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
Certainly this is a slice of paradise! Boos and hisses @ Republican Representative Denney Rehberg. Greed hath no shame.
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Comment by Tabbie — July 30, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
It is a pretty area and certainly should be preserved and protected. There are wars going on right now about the roadless areas. I was pleased to see that Earthjustice has become heavily involved and was also pleased that they chose to use a bunch of my photos on their web site.
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Comment by montucky — July 30, 2009 @ 10:07 pm