Well, Jamie and I set out to reach Bass Creek Crags a couple days ago, but we didn't quite make it on our first attempt. Fall quickly became winter, and a combination of a light covering of snow on the steep terrain with off-trail bushwacking and climbing over deadfall, etc. really started slowing us down. At about four hours in, we got to an overlook of Kootenai Canyon, saw a glimpse of what we had left to get to the crags in the blustery cold weather, and decided it was best to finish this trip on another day without snow on the ground. This is definitely a tough one, starting from the valley below and gaining a lot of elevation. We'll likely shoot for this one again next year.

This was a pretty cool overlook, but we didn't hang out long here. I knew we would be heading up to winter on this trip, so we did come prepared for it. But the slippery snow on the ground really made a difference on our progress. This was a good point to evaluate our decision to turn back, as we really just didn't have enough time to finish what was left. Next year with dry ground and longer daylight will make this challenge more doable. And we'll have better views when we do reach the crags. :)

This is on our way back down. Winter meets fall in this section. I love the colors! :)

As we came back down a little lower, the snow let up for bit and we got back to bare ground once again. At this point there are still only game trails to follow every so often until we get down further. We still have a long ways to go to get back down to the valley.

The morning snow and clouds had shrouded this mountain view on our way up. It was nice to get a better glimpse of it coming back down in the afternoon. 

The air was still bitter (our water had started icing over), but the warmer ground temp was melting some of the snow we had dealt with on our way up. When we eventually got back down enough, we thought we had found fall again and left winter behind "up there". But as usual, it eventually started snowing on us again. That's fall in Montana. We usually get quite a mix of weather and temps this time of year and have to keep adjusting our layers. Prepare for everything. :)

A quick little video at our turn-around point overlooking Kootenai Canyon. Enjoy! :)
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​Two final notes (and advice) from this trip:

#1: While I failed to reach my goal this trip, I take satisfaction in the fact that I got out there and made an attempt at it. I am quite determined to reach that elevation pin on the high point of the crags someday. I will be back again!
Don't give up. :)

#2: I tried to poke my eye out with a broken off dead tree branch on the way up.
Don't ask. Let's just say it's a reminder to not only watch the ground when off-trail hiking, but the eye-level stuff, too! Dangers are lurking everywhere in the mountains. Like I always tell my kids on their adventures...
Be safe and have fun. :)

A little mountain therapy up Bass Creek after work today. :)
Bonus: the quick hike in and out was a good way to get in an intense cardio workout!
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Wolf lichen is one of my favorite plants.
Definitely my favorite color. :)
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Our daylight is decreasing quickly this time of year. We got in a little over an hour and a half of hiking up Big Creek after supper tonight, coming out the last bit just past the official "last light" time. I shot these photos before it got too dark for pictures. The one above represents the mysterious atmosphere of the lower portion of Big Creek Canyon quite well. I've had two different women, at two different times, tell me they have driven to the trailhead to hike here during daylight, only to turn around and leave without hiking because they didn't like the eerie feeling they got. The growing darkness only magnifies the feeling of Big Creek, but it's a wonderful place to hike. :)
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The water is quite low this time of year, but always fascinating.
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Megan and I had some things to do in Missoula last week, so afterwards we stopped to visit some ducks at a pond. She enjoyed feeding them, while I kept busy taking photos.

​Since this was a spontaneous stop and I didn't have my camera with me, I had to make do with my cell phone and its "artistic" touch. Turned out kind of fun, nonetheless. :)
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We stopped by the pond again a couple days later on another required trip to the city.
​A flock of geese joined us the second time. -- Word must've got out that we had food. :)
​Those pics to come in another post... 
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(Be sure to watch the video clips in full screen mode. You'll feel like you're there.)

The hike to Bailey Lake is a pretty short hike at about 1-1/2 miles in. The trail starts out in the trees, keeping the views hidden as you hike through thick vegetation encroaching onto the trail. When you arrive at the upper portion of the trail, the views suddenly appear before your eyes. What a contrast it is between the two sections! The view around the lake is not especially scenic, but it's a nice place to enjoy a bit of serenity. :)

​Another fun mountain adventure! :)
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We got out for another evening hike up Kootenai tonight. Kind of the usual going in. Another squirrel photo, but I love the sunshine on him with the green background. 
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And another spectacular view of the sun setting ahead of us on the trail as we continued hiking farther in. ​Par for the course so far. Then we came across another hiker on his way out, who asked us how far we were going. He then told us he had seen a billy goat (male mountain goat) near the wilderness boundary. I hadn't originally intended on getting that far in our time frame (planning to be out by dark to avoid the need for headlamps), but decided for the chance of seeing the mountain goat (and getting a couple photos), we would pick up our pace and then trail run part of the way out to still get back out by last light at 9:17. So the quest was on. We got to the wilderness boundary, but never saw the mountain goat. Oh well, it was worth a shot. 
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It was growing darker as we were coming out quickly, and things darted off the trail here and there to avoid getting stepped on. When I leapt over a little dark lump in the trail without even thinking about what it was (there are lots of obstacles all along the way), it suddenly moved in an unfamiliar way beneath my airborne feet. I stopped and looked back to see what it was and to my surprise it was still on the trail. Yes, it's a bat! It had had its wings closed in, and then suddenly sprung them open as I jumped over it, but it didn't leave the trail. Jamie thought maybe it was a little stunned after hitting something?? Don't know. I snapped a quick pic (using flash due to the darkness), and then kept moving. We hit the trailhead at last light, after having bats swooping at us the rest of the way out. One went right between me and Emily, and another between Emily and Jamie. So crazy!! They definitely kept us moving! LOL!
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Got out for a little off-trail hiking and mountain wandering on St. Mary's with my husband this afternoon. No trail = no people. The smoke blocked our long-range views (quite common during fire season), but overall it wasn't too bad. We discovered a cool old lichen-covered tree trunk, and came across some rock outcrops for a little break. :)