SUNDAY DRIVE: SADDLE MOUNTAIN PART ONE

Connie, Zeph, and I took our Sunday drive up to Lost Trail Pass and drove a forest service road through the Lost Trail Ski area and drove on a couple of forest service roads west of the ski resort.  Could not believe the number of wildflowers that were still in bloom in the back country.  Lots of them.  We had a great time exploring the area and hiking up to the top of Saddle Mountain.  At one time there was a lookout up there but it has been gone for years.

Chair 2 at Lost Trail.

Strange to be on this slope with no snow on the Thunder Run.

Climbed higher and looking down at the south end of the Bitterroot Valley.

This whole area burned during the Saddle Mountain fire in 2001 I think it was.

Lots of standing dead trees.

But lots of wildflowers in the area.

Looking south to the top of chair 4.

These trees have a lot of moss on them.

The views were great.

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED HERE IN MONTANA

Summer has arrived and it is warm here in the Bitterroot Valley.  We are seeing temperatures in the low 90's which is pretty warm for us.  And we have had no rain in the past week or so.  The major worry for me is the forest fires that always show up in the late summer and early fall.  With these temperatures, the forest will dry out quickly.

Niece Morgan brought up her two daughters (Paityn and Hayden) to go riding with us yesterday.  Morgan and her sister Ashton used to come up and ride years ago so it was great having the kids come up.  In fact, Morgan and Ashton came over to the ranch one summer for about a week and helped us move cows, check cows, and fence.  It was a fun time.

The twin fawns are still hanging around.  While Shelly and Sheryl were here they got to watch them play in the sprinklers one morning.  That would have been great to watch and take a few pictures.

Here are a few pictures I took in the last few days.

Connie's flowers are doing well.

The front of the cabin is quite colorful also.

The twins nibbling on the lilac bushes before I yelled at them.

From L to R:  Morgan, Hayden,and Paityn.

  Hayden, Paityn, and their mom Morgan (and she is a great Mom!)

 

BURNT FORK LAKE

Our friends Shelly and Sheryl stopped by on their way to Texas to see Shelly's mom who is having some health issues.  It was good seeing them and catching up on what has been happening in their lives the past year or so.  We drove up to Burnt Fork Lake to the east of us and hiked into the lake as you cannot drive the last mile and a half or so as the road is gated.  Had a good time and the wildflowers were really great.  Zeph got to do some good swimming after sticks.  He does love doing that. 

Here are three people who have not seen each other for quite some time.  But all three are on their phones!!

The burn area near the lookout is covered with wildflowers.

The gold creek fire left a lot of standing dead trees.

Walking down the road to the lake.

Some really nice views along the way.

Not as much bear grass in bloom this year.

A little spring water running down to the road.

Burnt Fork lake looking south.

Some unusual drift wood along the shore.

A baby sandpiper near the shore.

A happy wet dog who has been retrieving sticks thrown in the water.

Great views.

And lots of flowers.

Lots of vetch along the road.

The old friends.

Old burned snags from a fire.