August 26, 2014
A stream that hides
There is a small stream not far from where I live that flows through a deep wooded canyon for about seven miles before it briefly enters a larger one which then flows into the Clark Fork River. In early spring the water flow is continuous but after about mid-summer the stream bed for about a mile at the lower end of the canyon is completely dry. The following photos (in no particular order other than just as I ascended the trail) were taken the other day on a short hike up into the canyon and they show a little of what is hidden above the dry stream bed (in the first photo) near the start of the trail. I’m sure that after seeing the dry stream bed many people do not venture up the trail.
Fall colors are beginning to show.
Kinnikinnik
Devil’s Club
Devil’s Club
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Montana Outdoors 
These photos have a very painterly quality to them, especially those with moss on the sides of the trees. The bark is almost tangible. Really beautiful photos … what an amazing place you get to hike.
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Comment by Teresa Evangeline — August 26, 2014 @ 10:08 pm
I love that little canyon and the cold, clear stream. Aside from putting the trail through it, which was done in the 1930’s I think, it has never been tampered with so one can see what nature has done there historically. It is also used a lot by the animals. I’ve seen deer, elk, bear and moose there and tracks of wolf and lion. I’m so happy that such places still exist.
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Comment by montucky — August 26, 2014 @ 10:23 pm
I love spending time in the woods so I really love the photos, the stream photos are special.
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Comment by Charlie@Seattle Trekker — August 26, 2014 @ 10:21 pm
I spend all of my free time in the woods and as far back in as possible. It’s sure easy to fall in love with places like this.
I lived for several years in your area and enjoyed many trips into the Cascades. This canyon is one of the few around here where the flora approaches the density and diversity of what you have there. It’s gratifying to know that small streams like this one still exist and their water is clear and cold and drinkable. I hope it will still be there in like state for future generations.
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Comment by montucky — August 26, 2014 @ 10:32 pm
Rugged, wild and beautiful!
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Comment by Mother Hen — August 26, 2014 @ 10:27 pm
That is how I would describe it too. It has never been groomed or manicured and it gives us insight into what the natural world was like thousands, if not millions of years ago.
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Comment by montucky — August 26, 2014 @ 10:35 pm
There’s a lot to photograph along that stream bed. Nice pix!
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Comment by Malcolm R. Campbell — August 26, 2014 @ 10:44 pm
Yes, there are many relationships between the various flora there that I just wish I understood.
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Comment by montucky — August 26, 2014 @ 10:55 pm
Not many untouched places left in the world. A real treasure that you’ve got there.
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — August 27, 2014 @ 3:27 am
I’d like to say that we were smart enough to protect it, but the reality is that it’s so steep and rugged that it hasn’t been financially feasible to exploit it for the cedars.
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 9:13 am
And that has been its good luck!
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — August 27, 2014 @ 10:43 am
The hidden treasures are the best. Beautiful photos of the woods seldom seen by others. I love the cute little skipper looking at you.
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Comment by Candace — August 27, 2014 @ 3:28 am
I’ve observed that the steep, rough trails are the most seldom used, and I that’s just fine with me!
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 9:14 am
What a beautiful place for a walk. How lucky you are to have it so close to home, Terry.
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Comment by Vicki — August 27, 2014 @ 4:09 am
Lucky indeed! That’s my “go-t0” trail when I have only a little time for a hike or when I want to hide from the heat.
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 9:15 am
I love the wilderness feel of the place. It reminds me of what I see here. The only trouble with disappearing streams comes when you are trying to follow them in or out of the forest! I know of one here that goes underground, so there isn’t even a stream bed to follow.
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Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — August 27, 2014 @ 4:38 am
I like the old growth forest there too, despite the un-kempt appearance of it. Were there not a trail in this canyon, it would be inaccessible because of the downed timber and the thick brush.
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 9:18 am
Looks like a beautiful spot!
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Comment by centralohionature — August 27, 2014 @ 5:21 am
It’s a nice retreat without going too far. Parts of the trail there have a large variety of wildflowers in their seasons.
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 9:19 am
Beautiful! I think I would love that place just as much as the one we’ve just visited, over here!
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Comment by Jo Woolf — August 27, 2014 @ 5:30 am
I’m sure you would enjoy such places here Jo. So much different though from the beauty of the rolling hills there.
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 9:20 am
There certainly are hidden treasures in that canyon. The dry stream bed reminds me of Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” Thank you for giving us views along those ‘roads’ less traveled.
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Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — August 27, 2014 @ 7:12 am
Fortunately we have a lot of these places still left for us here, but the political intent now (of both parties) is to open as much as possible to exploitation and we will lose many wild places forever in the next few years. There is a hatred in Montana for environmentalists and that will not bode well for the wild places.
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 9:23 am
It makes me think of the old saying that, “still waters run deep.” Clearly, some waters run even more deeply! The variety in your photos is a wonderful reminder of the diversity that exists in these wild places. There’s always something new to see, even in places not as wild and untouched as yours, but your photos are a wonderful reminder to us to keep our eyes open.
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Comment by shoreacres — August 27, 2014 @ 7:18 am
The diversity is amazing. Even now I still see new plants and flowers simply because I happen to visit a place at a different time of year. It’s mind-boggling to consider how much diversity is required to keep an ecology in proper balance. It’s depressing to consider how many people have no feel for that and the extent to which un-nowledgeable folks negatively affect the environment by their actions ( and in-actions).
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 9:29 am
Love the butterfly picture – looks like it is in Ninja position – makes for great portrait.
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Comment by Lynn Millar — August 27, 2014 @ 3:05 pm
That little butterfly shows a lot of character, doesn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 7:52 pm
It is so interesting to see your nature. It is often different than here, but always beautiful. Very lovely series.
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Comment by bentehaarstad — August 27, 2014 @ 4:22 pm
Interesting too to know that the different faces of nature, in different places, still show great beauty!
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 7:53 pm
What a fantastic photo serie ! … You really are a master in showing us your landscape and the wild flora it contains … // Maria 🙂
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Comment by mariayarri — August 27, 2014 @ 5:38 pm
I’m very happy that you like to see scenes and things from the natural areas here Maria. I love them very much!
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Comment by montucky — August 27, 2014 @ 7:55 pm
Hi Montucky, Your forest is so refreshingly cool with that shade, the stream, and oh the plants and flowers. Great photo’s. Have a pleasant day tomorrow!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — August 27, 2014 @ 9:55 pm
It is always cool and refreshing in that deep canyon. A great place to be in summer!
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Comment by montucky — August 28, 2014 @ 3:57 pm
I love those “wilderness” photos among others.
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Comment by Sartenada — August 29, 2014 @ 3:46 am
Those are some of my favorite places, Matti.
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Comment by montucky — August 30, 2014 @ 10:54 am
Excellent pictures of your creek at the end of Summer. Hard to believe Autumn is at the door. I love the variety of pictures you presented. Thank you.
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Comment by isathreadsoflife — September 7, 2014 @ 12:55 pm
Thank you Isa. Yes, Autumn is here. We are expecting a little snow next week.
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Comment by montucky — September 7, 2014 @ 9:51 pm