Mosaic Monday #148: Fickle September

Did we make the right decision?  Outside, it's 62 degrees and partly sunny.  A bit breezy, but in all other respects, a fine late summer day.  And yet, we cancelled our camping trip scheduled for the next two nights/three days.  Did we make the right decision?  I suppose I should tell you that the forecast calls for persistent rain on Sunday/Monday, with overnight lows in the mid 30s.  Heck, that rain might be snow at the elevation of our hike!  We were so conflicted about this choice, which meant giving up a hard-won reservation in Glacier National Park.  In the end, practicality won over the stubborn determination not to abandon a plan.  Do you suffer from these dilemmas?  Since we can't go camping, I decided to use this post to re-live a backcountry trip from September 2020, a vivid reminder of how changeable September can be in the mountains of Montana.  

Our journey began in the North Fork area, the first time we had driven past storied Polebridge - now that's north!  We departed the trailhead at 10 am, and reached Whale Lake a short three hours later.  Without much in the way of views, we made quick work of the gradual, shaded trail.  This was my first hike with new boots, and the initial sensation of stiffness quickly eased.  Given the date of September 3, it was not surprising to observe blooming aster and goldenrod, as well as plants at the berry stage.

* Left: Baneberry (unusual to see white berries - they are normally red); Upper right: Thimbleberry; Lower right: Arnica

*Upper left top: Grass of Parnassus; Upper left middle: Red Paintbrush; Right: Arnica; Bottom: Black Currant

** Comparing the two Arnicas, I know they are not the same, but it is devilishly difficult to figure out which variety they ARE!  Open to anyone who might be able to distinguish them!

At the lake, we found a pretty campsite with ready-made stools and tables.  The most difficult part of setting up camp was slinging the rope over a tree to hang our bags (one of the advantages of Glacier National Park is that all the campsites have pre-made bear hangs).  Man with Hat caught plenty of fish, which made up for the fact that they were all 10 inches or less.

I collected wood, and then found a comfy spot next to the water to read.  I didn't get far since a multitude of birds caught my eye - flycatchers, a Gray Jay and a hawk.  Fish were swimming right in front of me - I tried to capture them with my camera, but the "eye" of the phone camera is not as clever as the human eye to be able to discern the shapes in the water.

We had the place entirely to ourselves as we prepared our gourmet meal.  A fire pushed back the edge of chill that began to creep ever closer with the falling of the sun.  (This is another factor we took into consideration in cancelling our current reservation - neither campground allowed fires due to scarcity of wood in those locales.  If we were wet and cold, we wouldn't even have the promise of a fire to help us out!)  In keeping with our camping tradition, we played a few hands of gin - Man with Hat walloped me 5 to 1.

The next morning, we sipped our morning joe while watching the sun poke through the pines.  A languid grasshopper had to be coaxed off the tent as we broke camp.  

On the trail by 9.45, we climbed a steep half mile to the intersection with the Pacific Northwest Trail (also known as Whitefish Divide Trail No. 26).  (Don't I look happy to have that behind me?) 

From that point, the trail meanders for a mile along the crest with expansive views toward Glacier National Park to the east.  The trail begins to descend through 2 pleasant miles of switchbacks, meadows and forest, leading to the fork with the Huntsberger Trail.  What goes down must go up (I know, gravity would say otherwise, but this is HIKING), and we had a moderate climb to another crest, rewarded by an arresting vista of Huntsberger Mountain.

Then it was all downhill to a spur that led to the lake, eponymous with the mountain.  A small meadow, dotted with campsites, perched at one end of the lake, and the mountain towered over the water on the far shore.  Rocks scattered along the edge offered perfect platforms for sunbathing while Man with Hat plied his fly fishing apparatus once more.  
 

He caught plenty of small fish, and it was warm enough when he returned that he went swimming.  I was captivated by the wispy clouds, dancing across the blue sky in a seemingly choreographed waltz.

Once again, no-one else arrived to camp for the night.  Our "Chicken with Risotto" dinner was more akin to soup, but quite tasty.  The sun moved across the mountain as we hung the food and other "smellies" in Spousal Unit's pack for the night.  The only available branch did not appear strong enough to hold two bags, so we opted for the "fishy" bag in the tree, and my pack wrapped in a plastic bag by the firepit.  Either we got lucky or it was a good plan; no bears interrupted our sleep that night!  (And Spousal Unit continued his gin winning streak.)

The next morning, we emerged from the tent at 7 am.  Cupping our hands around the coffee cups and looking east for the sun, it became clear it would take some time for it to clear the mountain.  What does that mean?  More time for fishing!  It didn't last long -- the wind rose quickly and strongly.

We left the lake at 10.45; we encountered some grouse and interesting plants along the way, but not many spectacular views (perhaps we are spoiled?)  I studied my "Plants of the Rocky Mountains" book, but could not identify the shrub below with the cherry-looking fruit.  Anyone know what it is?  It is unusual to see Yellow Paintbrush - I was delighted to observe this specimen.  I have always thought of Harebell as a spring flower, but my book says it will bloom through September!

At the bridge crossing for Whale Creek, we took a short break.

It's only 45 minutes from the creek to the parking area, and in that space we encountered the first other people we had seen in two-and-a-half days.  And would you be surprised to learn I knew one of them?!?  It's a small valley!

We met #1 Son at the Gunsight Saloon for a post-hike meal - always anticipated and greatly savored.  Now that we have cancelled our last camping trip of the season, this will be a tradition that will have to wait until early summer 2022!!!

Mosaic Monday

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