CAMAS LAKES HIKE

It was such a nice fall day that I had to go for a hike.  Went up to the three Camas Lakes in the Lost Horse area south of Hamilton.  I don't think I have ever been to these lakes.  The first one is an easy hike (2 1/2 miles) on a good trail - the second and third are a bit harder.  There is no designated trail, but there is a faint one in many places and some cairns or (schtie manlys in german - phonetically at least) on the slick rock.  But there is one boulder patch that one has to cross between the first and second lake.  That was the hardest part of the hike at least for me.  Of course when I got to that section - being the helicopter pilot I am - thought the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  Well, it may be shorter, but it is a lot longer in the time category.  The boulders got to be as big as VWs and getting through them was a bit tricky.  On the way back, I went around the lakes edge and it was a lot easier AND faster.  Like I said, the trail between the upper lakes is faint in many places and no maintenance.  I had to back track a couple of times and try and pick up the trail again.  The upper lake is about 4 miles in.  But great views on the whole hike.

The fall colors were really out.  The huckleberry bushes were bright reddish orange, the quakies and the larch were yellow, and lots of other plants had colors in between.  It was also warm.  I hiked in my t-shirt all day.  When I got back into Hamilton about 1600 a thermometer said 95.  It was 86 on our thermometers when I got home.  Pretty warm for the last part of September.

Anyway, I had a great hike.  I was the only one up there.  Pretty neat. 

The boulder patch I went over going up.

The boulders along the lake shore, much smaller and easier to navigate through.

The good part of the trail.

The first lake.

It was so warm, the lizards were out sunning themselves!

The upper lake.

It was pretty windy at the third lake so I got behind some trees for lunch and this was my view to the east looking down on the second lake.  There are a lot of larch (also called tamarack) at that elevation (7575).

UPDATE 9-25

Connie headed to Salt Lake City the other day for her annual "Sister Weekend" with her sisters Wendy and Pat.  So I am the dog babysitter and hired hand full time now.  We are having some great weather and Zeus and I have been for some good walks.  Also sat by a fire in the fire pit and watched the harvest moon come up with Jupiter just off to the side the other evening.  Should have had my camera, but didn't think of it until the moon was already up.  Did take a couple of pictures of some flowers though.

Went for a nice ride on Stryder today and spooked a couple of elk over by Doug's apple tree (due north of us about a 1/2 mile).  Also saw a couple of deer.  Was really warm today - 81 degrees at 1800.  Forecast is for more nice weather.  

FALL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

We were to get rain today according to the weather folks.  But, we did not and it was a beautiful fall day.  Actually it was really warm.  Got up into the70's and was very pleasant to be outside.  We are trying to catch up on some work around the place and get a few fall things done.  Also locked all the horses up in the corral today.  Will give the grass a break down in the meadow so we will be sure and have enough feed down there when we are at roundup.

The Clark's nutcrackers are really out in force right now as the pine cones are opening and the nuts are falling out.  Those birds are masters at getting into the cone and getting the nut out before it falls to the ground.  We also have about 20 turkeys that are hanging around in this area.  They show up every morning to eat what oats the horses have left or slobbered out on the ground.  And when not eating the oats, they are eating the pine nuts that have fallen from the cones.  The squirrels are gathering up pine cones and storing them also.  It is a busy time of year for the creatures around here.

Connie and I went for a nice ride this morning.  Did not see the mountain lion or any elk.  But we did see a couple of really nice bucks.  We rode right up on them and when they jumped up, so did Bill Cody!  Connie was grabbing reins let me tell you.  It always happens when you least expect it. 

I also quit irrigating today.  Shut the water off and gathered up my dams.  Don't have to chase water until next spring.  I enjoy irrigating, but it gets old by this time of year.

Connie and I have a new grand niece that will be known as Quinn Maureen Turner.  Mom, Dad, and baby all doing well we are told.

A Clark's nutcracker with a pine nut.

The "other" birds around here!

MARK'S PICTURES

We put our Swiss friend on the airplane today headed back to Switzerland.  So I thought I would put a few of Mark's pictures up.  He is a much better photographer than I am. 

We had a great time while he was here.  And we had a lot of catching up to do since we had not really seen each other in over 20 years.  It was hard for Connie and I to say good bye to him at the airport.

The smaller size of pixels does not do justice to his pictures, but you can click on them and they will enlarge somewhat.  And of course most of the pictures are of birds which is his passion as well as one of his fields of study at an Ornithology Institute in Switzerland.

YELLOWSTONE PARK TRIP

We headed to Yellowstone Park to show it to Mark.  Stopped by Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park first.  Did a tour there and spent the night.  Connie was not feeling really great as she had a sore throat.  Next day we headed to the park, but stopped at Ennis and Connie saw a doctor.  We then headed on to the park, but could not find a campsite.  The National Parks are really getting crowded!  We spent the first night near Gardner, MT at a Forest Service Campsite.  Next day went to Indian Creek campground and camped then went for a hike.  Got to hear some bull elk bugle and saw a few cows.  The next morning Connie was really feeling rough so headed home in the jeep.  Mark and I hiked up Bighorn Pass trail and got to see some great country.  Also elk and bison.  Yellowstone is great when you get a couple of miles from the roads and campgrounds.  Spent a few more days there in the park then headed over to the Centennial Valley where we visited the Red Rocks National Wildlife Refuge and one of the Martinell cow camps.  Also stopped by the ranch and visited with Allen and Yvonne.  Then it was back to the Bitterroot.  Good trip but was pretty tired when we got home.

Click to enlarge any of the photos.

Lewis and Clark Cavern above and below are pictures from Yellowstone.

Upper Red Rock Lake.

ST MARY'S PEAK

We took Mark up to the top of St Mary's Peak the other day.  There was a little snow (termination dust) up there so our summer is coming to an end.  Good hike and one that I always enjoy.  The views are just spectacular. 

The wildflowers are at an end though.

The lookout at the top.

Lot of wild country in the Bitterroot/Selway Wilderness Area.