For one who loves the outdoors, summer time in Montana provides a full schedule; so much to do and see and so many remote places in which to just be. Somehow I’ve gotten far behind in posting stuff and now will try to play catch up, knowing that as I do, things will backlog even further. Oh well…
A month ago on a very cloudy day it seemed good to walk in the high country, in the clouds and the rain. Here are a few photos spread through that ten miles of outdoor bliss.
For those who are familiar with this area, the hike was along the old logging road (Forest Service Road 5587) after the gate at the trail head to Big Hole Lookout, to the intersection with the Spring Creek Trail (Trail # 370) then along it to it’s intersection with the Munson Creek trail (Trail # 372) and then back out. I have promised myself that sometime soon I will leave a car at the Munson Creek trail head and then complete the hike from Road 5587 all of the way down Munson Creek. It will be a full day.
Soft on the eyes, quiet underfoot
The mystery of the canyons below
This trail sign is very old, but in pristine condition; no vandalism 5 miles from motorized access.
Flirting with the ridgetops
Peering through a window in the clouds
Montana Outdoors 
There is something mystical and other-worldly about fogged in mountains with only patches of treetops peeking. Great photos, great hike!
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Comment by Bo Mackison — June 28, 2010 @ 7:40 am
When I started out I thought that perhaps I would be above the clouds, but being right in the middle of them is good too.
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Comment by montucky — June 28, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
Beautiful scenes. I love the low lying clouds fogging in the ridgetops. I imagine that walking that wet trail, the earthy scents were wonderful.
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Comment by Anna — June 28, 2010 @ 9:25 am
They always are. I’d much rather be there in the clouds than on a clear, sunny day.
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Comment by montucky — June 28, 2010 @ 7:26 pm
What a beautiful area! I love hiking and being in wild places. Your pictures are simply great!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — June 28, 2010 @ 10:54 am
That’s a great place to hike and just “be”. I only saw a few deer, but there was a lot of fresh moose and bear sign where the Spring Creek trail crossed the old road.
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Comment by montucky — June 28, 2010 @ 7:28 pm
It’s almost worth staying away from the blogs for a bit to get to catchup a bunch of your pictures in quick succession. 18299 and this last one were a couple of my favorites.
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Comment by DaveABirding — June 28, 2010 @ 12:30 pm
Dave, I think you’d love hiking around here. There are lots of places like these.
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Comment by montucky — June 28, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
The mist makes the forest look magical. Lovely.
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Comment by kateri — June 28, 2010 @ 2:08 pm
It kind of hides things and then makes them reappear suddenly. There are times when you walk right in close to wildlife at times like that.
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Comment by montucky — June 28, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
You let these photos sit around a month? There is something about I road/path I can’t resist. The fog is frosting.
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Comment by sandy — June 28, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
Sandy, I’m so far behind on posting photos that it’s pathetic. I just counted over 50 wildflowers that I haven’t gotten to yet. I must become more disciplined!
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Comment by montucky — June 28, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
Truly enchanting. Looks so misty and cool in contrast to the 95 degree days we’re having here in NC.
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Comment by SuzieQ — June 28, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
I remember what 95° days are like in NC. That hike would have been a very nice break (it was in the 50’s).
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Comment by montucky — June 28, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
One can feel the mist in those photos, they’re just beautiful and contemplative. I especially am drawn to the first one, I’d love to walk on that path.
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Comment by Candace — June 28, 2010 @ 11:13 pm
The first one was just at the start of the hike and I felt the invitation!
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Comment by montucky — June 29, 2010 @ 2:13 am
looks like a nice quiet hike (10 miles!!) reminds me of a scene in the Chronicles of Narnia, I think from The Horse and His Boy.
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Comment by silken — July 1, 2010 @ 6:51 am
The clouds make it even more quiet than usual and give more of a secluded feeling.
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Comment by montucky — July 1, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Just beautiful!
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Comment by Amber — July 1, 2010 @ 10:32 am
Thanks, and thanks for visiting!
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Comment by montucky — July 1, 2010 @ 9:35 pm