This afternoon a retreat into a deep dark canyon was the best way to get away from the valley heat. Besides, I promised my friend The Pointer that I would take her for a walk. On a trail like this…
above a stream like this.
And the best commentary on the feel and taste of the cold, clear water of Spring Creek:
Oh yes, and there were flowers too.
Montana Outdoors 
Refreshing!
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — July 14, 2013 @ 11:39 pm
It always is, there. Except in winter, then it’s a world of ice.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:25 pm
Lovely – so cool and refreshing!! I would probably be in there with The Pointer too!
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Comment by Jo Woolf — July 15, 2013 @ 1:18 am
The Pointer joined out family about 6 years ago at the age of six. She had never been outside of a kennel until then, and the first time she saw a stream like this one she didn’t know what to do about it. I had to coax her into the water and demonstrate that it was good to drink. It’s a pleasure now to see her head right for a stream and get her cold drink and a little cooling off before continuing a hike.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:28 pm
I wish i could join you for a walk in your mountains 🙂 . Your photos is just great ! // Maria 🙂
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Comment by mariayarri — July 15, 2013 @ 3:12 am
I wish you could too Maria. There is always something beautiful to see there.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:29 pm
Just sitting in that stream for a while would be heaven. We’re looking at above 90 temps and high humidity again for another week.
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Comment by New Hampshire Gardener — July 15, 2013 @ 4:20 am
Our humidity here is very low, but the temperatures are forecast to be in the 90’s for the next week too. There will be early morning hikes only for awhile. THe nights here are cool though. Last night’s low was 44.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:31 pm
I can really understand how it felt for Molly to get a walk in the shade, and rewarded with this fresh, cool water. My dog always prefer water in the nature, even without heat (which is very rare you know).
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Comment by bentehaarstad — July 15, 2013 @ 4:38 am
Every dog that we have had with us has loved the outdoors and streams or lakes. It is very good to see them enjoy themselves.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:49 pm
Definitely an inviting place. The dog looks happy with it.
Malcolm
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Comment by knightofswords — July 15, 2013 @ 5:41 am
It really is inviting, a sanctuary that is nearby and quite un-used by other folks.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:52 pm
The Pointer is mighty happy looking and well equipped for slurping up that cold, clear water. The Pointer has a darn good buddy!
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Comment by Dave at collinda — July 15, 2013 @ 6:49 am
She has been very happy over the years she has been with us, and over many years I’ve learned to speak fluent “dog”.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:53 pm
You sure know how to show a girl a good time!! Very nice! Thanks for all the amazing flower photos.
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Comment by Elizabeth — July 15, 2013 @ 6:53 am
Molly’s favorite thing in all the world is a hike in the forest. A stream is an extra special treat. She asks for so little and gives us so much!
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:55 pm
One more thing that I have to know is …. were there BUGS? (MN bugs are driving me crazy)
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Comment by bearyweather — July 15, 2013 @ 7:56 am
The mosquitos are about gone here now. There were a few pesky small flies in the few spots of sun along the lower part of the trail, but once into the canyon under the cedars, not a one. We did have a mosquito season this year though in the valley. It was about all I could do to get them all rounded up and branded!
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:57 pm
Ahhhhh refreshing.
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Comment by dhphotosite — July 15, 2013 @ 8:07 am
Yes, for both of us. That stream is good for filling a water bottle: pure and ice cold.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 7:58 pm
I would be a dog if I could take that walk!
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Comment by carolannie — July 15, 2013 @ 9:59 am
I would too, if that was necessary! Eagerly.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 8:15 pm
Lovely image and scenes Terry, starting to heat up around here so I will looking for spot just like this very soon !!
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Comment by Bernie Kasper — July 15, 2013 @ 3:17 pm
This is an old standby for me. It’s close, always pretty and you can feel the temperature drop when you enter under the cedar canopy by the stream. The trail is 6 miles long and has an altitude gain of about 3000 feet so there is always a climate zone that’s comfortable.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 8:19 pm
I feel cool just by the lovely shade and running water of your images.
Very nice photos.
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Comment by Vicki (from Victoria A Photography) — July 15, 2013 @ 6:55 pm
It is very fortunate to have places like this that are still in a wild state and yet I can enter not too far from where I live. This trail meets another after 6 miles and then another mile and a half and you would be at the top of a 7000 foot high peak which is covered with wild grasses and wildflowers.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 8:29 pm
glimpses of waterfalls are so beautiful
looks like a nice hike for a hot day
just went through your last dozen posts
enjoyed seeing the frozen lake with crystalline surface
the gorgeous wildflowers and life through your lens and joy for what you see
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Comment by Tammie — July 15, 2013 @ 7:11 pm
There’s so much to see in these mountains. That lake would have melted by now but there would still be snow banks agains the mountains behind it. And the flowers would still be in bloom up there. There are many such lakes and I wish I could visit them all.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 8:31 pm
I think I would have been tempted to get in the creek with her.
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Comment by jomegat — July 15, 2013 @ 7:57 pm
Sometime I will cool my feet in a stream like that in the middle of a hike and it is very refreshing. Or refill a water bottle with cold water.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 8:33 pm
She is so cute and that water looks soooo good on her lips. I love dark photos like this, so lush and mysterious.
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Comment by Candace — July 15, 2013 @ 10:46 pm
Cameras just aren’t made for that kind of setting. The overhead canopy of the cedars provide deep shade but it is broken by shafts of sunshine, making stark contrasts that a camera sensor just can’t handle. Makes me understand that the human eye and the way it can see just fine under those circumstances is a nothing short of a miracle.
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Comment by montucky — July 15, 2013 @ 11:01 pm
These creek waters are the best, just look at how clear the water is ! The perfect place to refresh yourself in a wonderful environment 🙂
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Comment by Inspired and pretty — July 16, 2013 @ 7:07 am
Yes, I cherish the cold water in these mountains streams. Treasures of the back country!
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Comment by montucky — July 16, 2013 @ 9:04 pm
I think I would have joined him. Stay cool!
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Comment by Scott Thomas Photography — July 16, 2013 @ 2:51 pm
I probably will myself this coming week. It’s hot!
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Comment by montucky — July 16, 2013 @ 9:02 pm
I just love your aside that you had to help Molly learn how to enjoy the water. It puts a whole new slant on that nature/nurture business. We assume sometimes that with the animals it’s all nature, but it ain’t necessarily so!
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Comment by shoreacres — July 16, 2013 @ 9:28 pm
I think that even the young of wild creatures need to be taught. Of course, they run into so much of their environment very soon into life. Molly’s real puppyhood began when she came to live with us and it was up to me to teach her what her mother would have in the wild. I would guess there is a fine, nearly indistinct line between instinct and learned behavior.
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Comment by montucky — July 16, 2013 @ 10:14 pm
i’m thinkin that water must have been quite refreshing by the looks of that tongue! heheheee =)
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Comment by Tricia — July 18, 2013 @ 9:11 am
Her pleasures are all simple ones, but she is a connoisseur of good, cold water!
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Comment by montucky — July 18, 2013 @ 10:50 pm
looks like she enjoyed the hike as much as you did!! fun photo!
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Comment by skouba — July 18, 2013 @ 7:10 pm
Sometimes I hike just to see how much she enjoys it.
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Comment by montucky — July 18, 2013 @ 10:51 pm
How wonderful photos.
My favorite among them are the second from the top and the second from the end.
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Comment by Sartenada — July 18, 2013 @ 11:06 pm
Thanks Matti!
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Comment by montucky — July 19, 2013 @ 10:08 pm