Mt. Dean Stone

I'd like to be able to tell you how to get to this hike, but I really can't. I left from a friend's house, and may or may not have had to cross a barbed wire fence one or two times.  I'm not really sure, but I may have been on private property for some or all of this entire hike! Once I decided on breaking the law (can you hear "Judas Priest?"), I kind of went full throttle into it! So, if you'd really like to hike it, I'd be happy to be your guide. Otherwise I have to keep the approach, at least, a secret. 

To be honest, it's one of the "ugly" hikes.  Not that it's ugly at all, really, but the summit is crammed with communications towers and sheds and such.  I am generally disappointed when the top of a mountain is ruined in such a way, but at the same time, I like my cell phone, TV, and other electronic devices to work properly! 

So I'll post the pictures, even the ugly ones.  It was a fairly easy 3.5 miles up, with an elevation gain of 1929 feet. Also, except for the last half mile or so, dry ground. The packed snow at the end made it take a little extra time, but I was pleased to do it, as most of the rest of the mountains around here need skis or snowshoes to get to the top!

The beginning of our walk. My friend's rather obese dogs decide
to come with us....I was just hoping they could keep up

Some Bitterroot action

First tower....as far as I got the
first time I did this hike

Second Tower

The dogs were happy to find snow
and eat it...after a shared half my water!

There's a house up there?

Pretty sure this doesn't apply to me

This was pretty creepy...someone is living
here.  Solar panel, couple of nice little decks,
fire place.  Must be very reclusive. I was just
glad I had my gun.

Almost there!

And the rest of the way is covered in snow!

I did a panoramic at the top, just so I could get all the towers, etc. in the picture

 

Xena enjoyed running back and forth between me and the extra 
canine company on this trip!

Kootenai Creek

Kootenai Creek is one of the most popular hikes in the Bitterroot. I think for two reasons....It is a beautiful hike, and it's incredibly easy. It was easy enough to take my mother, who is rather arthritic these days and in a lot of pain, up for at least a half mile. So last week I went about 4 miles back on Sunday, then took my mom again mid week. You can hike on forever, though, depending on how much time you have.  There are several lakes way back there, which I admittedly have never been to....something to plan soon.

I've probably done this at least once a year for the past....I don't know how many years.  I know I've had both of my kids in my back pack at one time or another on this paticular hike.  I can also remember taking my German Shepherd, Wiley, on this hike several times, and he's been gone for a good 15 years. Anyway, enough of my history, there are just a bunch of great views from here that I hope come through in the pictures.  A lot of rock climbers were scrambling their way up the cliffs on both my Sunday and mid week hike. (They are always fun to watch!) 

Can you see the Garter Snake below?

 

Looking up is almost as pretty as looking down!

Rock Climbers!

The day I took my mom....she needed her purse so she could bring her phone and get pictures...She made me laugh!  I couldn't understand why she didn't just put it in a pocket!  Also saw a cute little toad hopping across the trail.  I have rarely seen any amphibians in Montana!