A hazy hike to the mountain

For weeks now there have been wildfires burning in western Montana and Idaho, creating hazy and smoke-filled skies. Despite the smoke, on August 30th my daughter and I hiked the trail to the top of Mount Baldy. The smoke is very obvious in the photos, although there is a little clear sky in the third and fourth photos which were taken toward the north.

View to the east of Mount Baldy

Baldy Lake

My daughter photographing the last of this year’s bear grass blossoms

Playing in a snowbank on the lee side of the ridge

After our descent from the mountain we drove past our house about three miles to watch the action on another new wildfire. Fortunately, this one was near an old road that was still drivable and the State, U.S.F.S. and Rural Fire Departments were able to get engines up to it and along with two helicopters dropping water and a small tanker dropping slurry, it was out in about 12 hours.