My January 9 summary "775 Miles Alongside Man with Hat" whet my appetite to write more about hiking, so lace up your boots and don your hat. Join us for our 12-mile journey around the Quartz Lake Loop on September 28, 2017, Entry 24 in my hiking journal.
This hike is a superb example of why we hike on fine Autumn days. Cool temperatures (28 degrees at 9 am) fostered a rolling mist, lending a mystical air to Bowman Lake as we began the hike.
Several Grouse dotted the road on the way to the trailhead, and more populated the trail. They have a funny way of running ahead of you on the path, rather than flying away.
Dry leaves rustled underfoot, raising that unmistakable Autumn aroma into my nostrils. I breathed deep, relaxing into the solace of the wilderness.
At the proverbial fork in the trail, we chose the left, heading to Upper Quartz Lake. Deep forest envelops you, and you quickly lose sight of Bowman Lake. Gentle elevation gain and two hours later, we had earned our first view of Lower Quartz Lake. (Yes, we are heading to Upper Quartz, but the topography offers Lower Quartz first.)
Dramatically, the trail drops in a descent to the valley floor. On the way, we glimpse Upper Quartz on the left and Middle Quartz on the right.
The beach at Upper Quartz Lake offers a full-on view of Bighorn Mountain. For future reference, we note that the campsites are right on the lake and situated close together. Wouldn't you like to wake up to this panorama?
We quickly encountered this bridge between Upper and Middle Quartz, and just as rapidly learned that Middle Quartz is not accessible. Thick Alder guards the lake edges, which spin away into the distance, forming an impenetrable barrier (unless you are a Moose!)
The afternoon sun sent slanting rays through the trees, and fluff from Fireweed floated lazily in the air, seeking a winter resting place, fertile ground for reproduction.
The path between Middle and Lower Quartz Lake undulates like a kiddie rollercoaster, and sports many recently downed trees, likely victims of a wind storm.
At Lower Quartz Lake, the camping sites are more secluded, and not all have views of the lake.
The climb from Lower Quartz back to the ridge was short but steep. But for me, the descent to Bowman, a series of many switchbacks, was worse - a quad killer! The whole day, we only saw six people on the trail, and all of them were on this section. A middle-aged couple (with no bear spray) was just hitting the trail and hoping to make it to Lower Quartz. I always wonder if these are the people we hear about on the news!
With the day's sun, the mist had burned off and we had stunning views of the lake, Numa Ridge, Mount Peabody, Rainbow Peak and Mount Carter.
Can you believe the two photos below are the same view, just 7 hours apart?
Although it does not show up on the photos, the mountains had a dusting of snow, as though someone had shaken a little powdered sugar on them!
On the way home, we stopped at the Polebridge Mercantile for their famous baked goods. Just a few miles further on, a road-side sign advertising Huckleberry Margaritas enticed us to pop into Home Ranch Bottoms - it was as good as it sounded!
But perhaps best of all was the evening sunlight, casting its special glow on the already-golden larches and aspens.
***There will be no Mosaic Monday on February 6; come back and link up February 13!
Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme
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Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain
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Hello everyone - thanks for returning after a week's break from Mosaic Monday! The visit from #1 Daughter and her boyfriend was memorable, and extra special since #1 Son is already here and joined in the frolic when he wasn't occupied with job search activities. On their first day, it was already mid-afternoon by the time we got home from the airport, so we made no plans other than showing The Boyfriend around the house and property. Vacation calorie intake began in earnest with a afternoon snack of huckleberry pie and ice cream. (And of course, Head Chef prepared a dinner fit for kings - ribs, smoked turkey, cornbread, salad.)
As we planned the activities for their visit, the duo asked us to challenge them physically. "Wear us out," The Boyfriend said. So, the next day, the Montana workout began. Kayaking on the river sounds simple enough, but it requires logistics such as dropping off one vehicle at the takeout point, and ensuring that the right gear is in the correct vehicle. We managed to get all five of us out of the house on time, but the takeout point was not well-marked, and we arrived at our first destination, Polebridge, with 2 rigs. Oh well. Not the end of the world. We snagged some home-made baked goods from the famous Polebridge Mercantile, settled all of us into one vehicle and drove the short six miles to Bowman Lake. Its spectacular surroundings never get old.
We backtracked to the put-in point near Polebridge, and left the "kids" to inflate the kayaks and pack raft while Spousal Unit and I took his truck to the takeout at Coal Creek. A Mercantile member of staff gave us directions, and in no time we had returned to inspect the boats and were ready to float nine miles of the North Fork of the Flathead River. At this time of year, low water means rocks and log jams are nearer to the surface, requiring vigilance and carefully chosen channels. Early in the trip, Spousal Unit and #1 Daughter collided with a tree and tipped over, but in such shallow water that it was not a major event. It was a warm, blue-sky day and we made one stop to swim.
We had hoped for smoke-free skies during their stay, and we got our wish. Haze can make for interesting sunsets, but I would prefer my air without particulate! That night we enjoyed tasty lasagne on the deck, with an ever-changing sky for entertainment.
On Day 2, Spousal Unit and The Boyfriend went fishing while #1 Daughter and I engaged in retail therapy followed by a picnic at the beach. In keeping with the "workout" theme, fishing entailed a 2.5 mile hike (one way) to Lupine Lake, and paddling a pack raft as needed throughout the day. Lifting a margarita at the beach was a little less strenuous!!! The Boyfriend caught a half-dozen fish, and perhaps more importantly (from my perspective), he saw a bull moose on the way to the trailhead. We call that visitor's luck!!!
Now, Day 3 would be the true test. Destination: the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. 13.4 miles and 2700 feet elevation gain. I have written about this hike in a previous post, in which I note that we left the house at 6.45 AM in order to secure a parking spot at the Loop and catch a shuttle. That was 2017 and this is 2020 - departure was advanced to 5.30 AM. Glacier has become an extremely popular place, and the fact that half of the Park is closed has exacerbated parking issues. Even with 45 extra minutes, we still experienced parking challenges! But, as always, it was worth the anxiety.
It was lightly raining as we began our adventure; later in the day, with the hot sun and dusty trail conditions, we would have welcomed that precipitation! Immediately, the hike began to deliver on our expectations, with a mountain goat, massive cliffs, and abundant flowers along the Garden Wall. It had been at least 10 years since #1 Daughter had done this hike, so both members of the duo could be heard exclaiming over the beauty, or shaking their heads at the wonder of the views.
Although this was my fourth time experiencing the Highline, we typically go earlier in the summer. I was fascinated by the difference in the flowers one month later in the season.
This hike offered another first for all of us - the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. After seven miles, intrepid explorers have the "opportunity" to ascend more than 900 feet in less than nine-tenths of a mile. In keeping with the challenge to "wear us out", it was a no-brainer. The climb is mostly steady, but there are sections that are very steep. I am pretty sure that we were pausing to catch our breath rather than letting other people have the right-of-way as they descended the narrow path that pitches straight down if you take a wrong step! And here is the reward!
You may have already noticed the lack of other people in my photos. Trust me, that requires some patience and some camera agility. The Highline Trail is an incredibly popular hike; I would guess that we shared it with at least 250 people that day. And yet, you can still reliably see wildlife - goats, marmots, bighorn sheep. And this time, we saw a new animal for me - a pika. No picture, but so adorable!
Shortly after our descent from the Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail, we arrived at the Granite Park Chalet. The west side of the building offered the only shade, and we sank onto the benches for a well-earned break. Built 1914-1915 by the Great Northern Railway to provide comfortable back country accommodations, it was the last chalet constructed by the railroad. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, it is one of only two back country chalets that have survived and it continues to provide lodging to adventurers from around the world.
Are you still with me? Yep, now you know how the duo felt. Four miles of down, down, down still remained to close out this hike. But along the way, you earn fabulous views of the terrain that we had already traversed. Can you see the faint line in the center of the picture below? That is the trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook.
Would a close-up help?
The switchbacks seemed endless and only the thought of the creek at the end kept the team moving. Upon arrival, all of us threw off our boots and socks and plunged knee-deep into the glacier-cold water. Aaahhh. The Boyfriend didn't hesitate to go all the way in - after all, ice baths are de rigueur for athletes! He was smiling even as he professed that the trail had "kicked his patootie". Mission accomplished!
Even pro athletes need rest days, and as master vacation planners, we had the forethought to schedule nothing for Day 4. Some folks caught up on podcasts, or read a book. The kids raided the toy closet and we played Scattergories, Sequence and Euchre. I recently began a new cross-stitch project that will become a throw pillow for #1 Daughter and The Boyfriend. What a treat to sit on the deck and stitch! We closed out the evening around the firepit, with s'mores to boot.
And suddenly, we only had one full day remaining. Day 5 began with a short (2.7 miles one way) but technical hike to Leigh Lake. Steep sections and rock scrambles keep your focus sharp! (Spousal Unit and I completed this trail on May 9 and it was covered with snow. So watch for a future post with comparison shots.) For this post, I will just show you the family shot at the lake, courtesy of a fellow hiker.
From there, it's a short ride down the road to Kootenai Falls and the Swinging Bridge. Once again, it was a warm day and the cool waters of the river were a welcome respite. We marveled at the falls, once the site of filming for the River Wild. The water flow seemed higher than normal, and I said the same, reflecting that it is odd for the time of year. Upon further thought, it must mean that they are releasing more water from the dam upstream. Check out the video.
#1 Daughter and I enjoyed ice creams as Spousal Unit drove home. Ah, summer! The duo treated us to dinner that night at the Kila Pub, and everyone was sleepy by the time we pulled into our driveway. Sigh, the end of another family visit. My only consolation is that I am sure the mountains will soon be calling them back!
Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme
where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain
time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your
blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and
enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an
easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I
stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join
in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.
May has lingered. Oh, not in a bad way. Last week, I sat down at the keyboard to compose this May summary, and then a glance at the calendar brought me up short - whoa, there's another week left! It occurred to me that, by week 3 of the month, I was full, satiated, deeply satisfied. It led my mind to conclude that the month must be over!
First Glacier Lily in our yard
Even my attempt to distill the month's activities yields seven major categories, in addition to our road trip, recent hikes, and my garden journal. So much has happened in May that it's no wonder my brain would put me a week ahead of myself! But, it's just too much for one post. On the other hand, this is a helpful problem - I won't be running short of topics for weeks, months, maybe even years! Does anybody need to "borrow" some of my material? So, as unlikely as it might seem, I pared down my content to four subjects that brought me immeasurable joy this month. REFINING OUR EXTERIOR LOOK It was always our intent that our landscaping should evolve over time; I have grand visions for the ultimate look of our property. This month, we stepped forward in this area, in both permanent and seasonal ways. First, we added a jackleg fence to both sides of our driveway entrance. It provided some needed definition, while maintaining the rustic feel we prefer.
Upper left: first section underway
Right: first section completed
Lower left: second section completed
Driveway with fences
All of the logs used for this project are lodgepole pines harvested from
our property during last year's thinning process
Second, we enhanced the driveway itself with dress gravel. The original driveway was constructed with a crushed material that compacts to establish a firm foundation capable of withstanding the rigors of all four seasons in Montana. Having passed through summer, fall and winter, the driveway was ready for dress gravel to provide a finished, clean look and better define parking/driveway areas from landscape/natural areas.
Left = before Right = after
Driveway outside garage
Before and After; Looking down driveway toward road
Before and after: additional parking area, especially designed for the
RV owned by my younger brother and his wife!
Before and after - looking up the driveway from the road - WELCOME!
Third, we adjusted the location of several large rocks at the driveway entrance while our gravel contractor was on site with his Skid Steer (you can see them in the collage directly above this paragraph). I am ecstatic that we have completed a few more stepping stones leading to the landscape we envision for the roadsides along the entrance.
My landscape design for the right side of the driveway is already a
year old, and our thinking has evolved. But, you get the idea!
Fourth, we selected annuals for our deck planters. Already, the little splash of color adds warmth and layering to the deck that is so absent in the winter.
Black-eyed Susan Vine; Ambella White Bellflower; Coleus;
Evening Star Trailing Petunia; Red and Orange Ivy Geraniums
BIRDWATCHING THROUGH THE SPOTTING SCOPE In past posts (March 14, April 7, May 5), I have written about combining my spotting scope, PhoneSkope adapter and my phone to take bird pictures. This month, with some assistance from Spousal Unit, I feel I have improved my technique. It doesn't hurt that it's been a banner month for birds!
One day, I saw a yellow-headed blackbird come to the feeder, which is quite unusual. I set up the spotting scope with my phone and waited for it to return. And the most wonderful thing happened. I was passing the dining room window, and my brain, on alert for "birds", saw a "bird" and caused me to stop and look again. This is what I saw.
Great Horned Owl
This stunning creature roosted in the same spot for over three hours. We couldn't take our eyes off of him. (We kept hoping he would swoop down and capture one of the Columbian ground squirrels scampering around below him, but it was not to be. That may sound cruel, but they are eating some of my landscaping!) I love the clarity of this photo, and wondered aloud why this came out so much better than my other shots. Spousal Unit reminded me that Mr. Owl sat very still, whereas most of the other birds are constantly moving, not to mention the feeder on which they are sitting is often swaying in the breeze. Right.
This discussion made me wonder if video might provide better clarity. Maybe you can give me your opinion. Here is a picture of a Blackheaded Grosbeak (it seems to have been the month for grosbeaks), followed by a video. Make sure you watch the video through to the end - my sought-after Yellow-Headed Blackbird shows up after the grosbeak.
And here are a few other birds from the month.
Left: Rufous Hummingbird; Center: Song Sparrow; Right: Yellow-Headed Blackbird
In case you would like more, below is a video of the owl, and separately, the female blackheaded grosbeak.
ENJOYING A VARIETY OF WILDLIFE Of course, we have more than just birds here! The trail cams have continued to deliver a delightful menagerie.
Upper left: Red Squirrel; Upper right: Canada goose
One morning, Spousal Unit suddenly grabbed the binoculars and said "Is that a moose?" Well, that was better than a shot of espresso to get me going! By the time we looked through the binoculars and the spotting scope, "it" was nowhere to be seen. The good news? The trail cam was in the perfect spot to capture "it". So, I trotted down there and retrieved the disk, and this is "it".
A cow elk. Elk are usually in herds; the fact she is on her own suggests she is ready to calve (give birth).
One of our neighbors told us today that he saw a cow and two calves in the last few days. Might be her!
Another sign of spring - the young bucks with nubbins for antlers.
My heart always takes a little leap when I see the coyote on the trail cam.
And then there are the spring wildflowers.
Upper left - I love to bring the outside in - larch, kinnikinnick, star-flowered Solomon's seal
Upper right: Oregon grape; Bottom: Blue violet
Some of the flora we find is edible, as in the case of morel mushrooms. I wrote in the past about a gift of morels from a neighbor - upon first taste of the sauce prepared by Spousal Unit, we were hooked. Fully intending to go mushroom hunting on public lands this spring, we were pleasantly surprised to find enough around our own acreage to make a meal. Melt in your mouth good!
REVELING IN THE SURPRISES
But the month wasn't complete without a couple surprises. One day, Spousal Unit was tidying the woodpile and came back with this beauty - a long-toed salamander, which just happens to be the state salamander of Montana. Yep, you know I love nature when I get excited about one of these! And last but not least, Spousal Unit was fishing the North Fork of the Flathead River, and popped into the Polebridge Mercantile. Despite its middle-of-nowhere location, it is deservedly famous for its baked goods. Imagine my delight when he returned to the house with two huckleberry bear claws. Savoring this confection made up for the fact that he didn't hook a single fish!
What's not a surprise? That Spousal Unit was the man behind both of these moments - I can always count on him to bring me joy!
Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme
where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain
time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your
blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and
enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an
easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I
stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join
in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.
