About two miles beyond the gate that closes an old logging road that runs through the canyon, the canyon sides narrow and on the west side is an area of cliffs some two hundred feet high. Among the breaks in the cliffs are small seeps of water, hardly noticeable is summer, that form some interesting displays of icicles in winter. Just follow the Cougar tracks, and the hike up the road is quite a pleasant one. (If the current weather forecast is correct, the next trip up the road this winter will have to be on snowshoes.)
Montana Outdoors 
I think I might run in the opposite direction of cougar tracks!
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Comment by silken — December 29, 2010 @ 9:21 am
Well, they are part of the outdoors, Silken. Something to be aware of but not feared.
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Comment by montucky — December 29, 2010 @ 9:52 am
Hi Montucky, I have never seen a Mountain Lion in the wild – only at a Nature Center where the animal had been taken in for rehabilitation. Your pictures are magnificent! Have a super great day today!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — December 29, 2010 @ 10:58 am
I often see their tracks, but seldom see the cats. They are beautiful though.
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Comment by montucky — December 29, 2010 @ 9:44 pm
This are much more detailed than the tracks I took today. I think mine were coyote. From now on, I am taking a little ruler out to put next to the tracks.
I see all kinds of tracks on that trail, or is it another old fire road? You seem to have an endless selection of interesting walking places.
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Comment by sandy — December 29, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
These were about 3 inches long, just the pad prints. That is an old logging road that turns into a trail after a couple of miles. The tracks are those of deer and elk, two sets of cat tracks and, in the last photo, my tracks. Yes, there are lots of places for walks near home, even in winter. What I like is that up these trails a few miles you get into some very wild country, and in winter the tracks tell you who else in there.
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Comment by montucky — December 29, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
The cold might bother me but not the cougar. Then again, if anyone ever gets me to set foot in that part of the world in the winter, it will be you because of these photos.
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Comment by burstmode — December 29, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
The day these were taken it was quite warm for here, in the 20’s. Once you get used to it, that’s very pleasant for hiking. The next few days will be a little colder, in the single digits during the day, but I hope to get out because it will be very beautiful there.
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Comment by montucky — December 29, 2010 @ 9:54 pm
The couger tracks look so fresh, as if he (or she) is only a few steps ahead of you. Having never lived in a place where there are dangerous wild animals my first thought is “Yikes, run in the other direction!” I’m sure they are one of those things where a little knowledge makes all the difference in the world.
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Comment by kateri — December 29, 2010 @ 7:38 pm
The tracks were hours old, not real fresh. The danger from the cats is very slight, but still not to be ignored. It’s prudent to stay alert and I always carry a side arm. In the northwest there are incidents with cats every year, I remember several times where the tracks in the snow have showed me that a lion had gone out of his way to avoid contact with me.
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Comment by montucky — December 29, 2010 @ 9:58 pm
I think my perspective of life in the winter mountains is just fine through your eyes and such a beautiful vision it is! I get so lost when taking photographs that a cougar would have me half eaten before I realized what was going on! ; )
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Comment by kcjewel — December 29, 2010 @ 8:03 pm
After over 60 years of spending time in the back country I feel like I’m just a part of the whole thing, and therefore pretty much on a par with the wildlife. I just enjoy being out there and my photos are really secondary to the experience.
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Comment by montucky — December 29, 2010 @ 10:02 pm
WoW! A cougar? Wouldn’t that be something to get a shot of him/her?! š
Such beautiful scenery & the snow is a bonus… beautiful!!!
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Comment by Tricia — December 30, 2010 @ 12:15 pm
Some day perhaps I will get a shot of one. I came very close last winter.
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Comment by montucky — December 30, 2010 @ 7:43 pm
These are so beautiful, Montucky. I love the mountain looming in the background, the snowy canyon. Such a vision of pristine beauty.
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Comment by Bo Mackison — December 30, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
It’s a very pretty place and very close to home for me. I visit there often.
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Comment by montucky — December 30, 2010 @ 7:44 pm
Those are big paw pads! 3 inches, wow! It’s kind of exciting.
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Comment by Candace — December 30, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
It’s always a good feeling to see their tracks and know that they are still around. They are beautiful creatures.
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Comment by montucky — December 30, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
Buffalo Bill Creek-it sounds in my ears so exotic, because I am still a great Western friend. Photos are beautiful and tracks of cougar inspire me.
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Comment by sartenada — December 31, 2010 @ 12:51 am
There is a National Bison Range not far from here where they live in a wild and natural setting. I bet you would enjoy watching them do their annual roundup. That’s really old west!
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Comment by montucky — December 31, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
Oh how neat, cougar tracks! All snowy mountain photos are lovely, and the first mountain scene I especially like.
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Comment by Anna — December 31, 2010 @ 11:21 am
There are so many scenes like these, Anna. It makes hiking very pleasant!
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Comment by montucky — December 31, 2010 @ 4:54 pm
Oh my that’s beautiful… though I’d like to stay away from the cougar tracks!! LOL
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Comment by Stacey Dawn — December 31, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
It’s nice to have a fresh snow to display the tracks. It is always interesting to me to see who all is living or visiting in these places.
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Comment by montucky — December 31, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
Marvelous images… all of them! It would be nice to see a cougar in the wild as long as it didn’t see me as a meal! I cannot decide which of the four scenic images I like best… they are all wonderful! Happy New Year!
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Comment by Victoria — December 31, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
Thanks Tory! Have a wonderful 2011!
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Comment by montucky — December 31, 2010 @ 7:39 pm