Fall flowers?

September 10th, 2009

Well … sure. Missoulian reporter Rob Chaney goes on the hunt for wild mushrooms in the Mission Mountains, where recent rain has brought out fungi aplenty.

It’s open house season for the fairies and wood elves of Montana’s mountainsides.

Those toadstool dwellers may be imaginary, but their domiciles of record are in profusion this time of year. More than 3 inches of rain landed in Missoula in the past month, making it one of the wettest Augusts on record. That did amazing things for the mushroom community.

On a recent trip in the Mission Mountains, nearly all the wildflowers were faded and gone. But a closer look revealed bright yellows, reds, pinks and greens of mushroom growth.

Granted, fungi don’t carpet whole hillsides like the beargrass did this year. You find them on the carpet, or even underneath it – around ankle-height in the brush and under logs.

Don’t despair. Just look differently, within foliage instead of above it, in dim places instead of sunny spots.

Read the rest of the story here.

Justin Grigg

Walk safely

August 16th, 2009

While the cooler temperatures have been nice, western Montana has also seen considerable rain and even some snow, as two hikers found out yesterday.

If you’re headed out, check the forecast and be prepared for conditions not normally seen this time of year.

Justin Grigg

Walk for Aug. 13

August 13th, 2009

heart_lake_20090808_004

Monkshood

Aconitum columbianum

Description: Purple-blue blossoms about 1 inch wide with one sepal that develops into a hoodlike cap. Flowers form a loose cluster atop stems 2 to 5 feet tall. Broad, alternate leaves are divided into three to five sections, each of which is toothed. Grows in wet meadows and along streams. Blooms late June to early August. (“Peterson Field Guides’ Rocky Mountain Wildflowers,” by John J. Craighead, Frank C. Craighead and Ray J. Davis)

Recently seen: Heart Lake Trail near Superior

The walk: From the west side of Interstate 90 in Superior, follow Diamond Road 20 miles to the Heart Lake trailhead. (At five miles, the road turns to gravel and follows Trout Creek southwest.) From the trailhead, follow the path south through the trees along the South Fork of Trout Creek, crossing several smaller creeks on log bridges. Look for monkshood growing up from the bushes along the trail. The trail climbs gradually along the creek, then switchbacks up the east side of the valley. The trail crosses several more small creeks, the last without a bridge; step on the large rocks poking out of the water instead. At the trail junction on the other side of the creek, turn south and walk the last hundred yards or so to Heart Lake at two miles. Stop here and return to the trailhead, or continue on a trail around the east side of the lake and up to Pearl Lake, about a half mile farther.

Justin Grigg

Berry bounty

August 12th, 2009

Missoulian reporter Rob Chaney wrote this the other day. Not exactly floral, but huckleberries are fragrant.

You didn’t hear this from us, but it’s a great huckleberry season this year.

As secretive as they are, there’s not much huck hunters can do to hide the berry-covered hillsides around western Montana. A wet spring and a couple of midsummer rainshowers have provided ideal growing conditions for the popular wild fruit.

“It’s doing very good,” Huckleberry Patch gift shop supervisor Shauna Clevidence said one morning this week while juggling a rush of customers at 9:45 a.m. “The lower patches have already been picked, so people have to go to the higher elevations.”

Read the full story here.

Here are the results of a recent picking trip I took with some friends.

Justin Grigg

Walk for Aug. 6

August 9th, 2009

dawson_pitamakan_20090725_334

False hellbore

Veratrum viride

Description: Yellowish-green flowers about one-half inch across clustered on branches atop 3- to 6-foot stem. Four- to 12-inch oval leaves with coarse, parallel veins grow from base. Found in wet meadows and open areas. Blooms June to early August. (“Peterson Field Guides’ Rocky Mountain Wildflowers,” by John J. Craighead, Frank C. Craighead Jr. and Ray J. Davis)

Recently seen: Two Medicine Lake Loop in Glacier National Park; Jewel Basin east of Bigfork.

The walk: The Two Medicine Lake South Shore Trail begins next to the boat dock at the end of the road, about 4 3/4 miles inside Glacier National Park from the Two Medicine entrance station. Follow the trail in and out of the trees, across Aster and Paradise creeks, and through the brush at the base of Sinopah Mountain for 3.4 miles to a junction. Look for large, leafy, green false hellbore in low, moist areas past the end of Two Medicine Lake. Continue on the path to the west for half a mile to Two Medicine Creek and another junction. Turn northeast and hike about a quarter mile to another junction. Turn east and follow the North Shore Trail about three miles back to the Two Medicine campground. From here walk on the road through the campground and back to the parking area at the boat dock. Along the way, there are several short side trails that lead to Paradise Point (under half a mile from the main trail), Aster Falls (one-tenth of a mile), Rockwell Falls (just over a mile) and Twin Falls (one-third of a mile). Of these, Rockwell Falls is most worth the extra effort.

Justin Grigg

Favorite dayhikes

August 3rd, 2009

For me, picking a favorite Montana dayhike is nearly impossible – there are just too many to choose from in this great state. And my response can vary depending on any of several factors: the time of year, the sights along the trail, the destination, driving time, distance and – perhaps the biggest – dogs or no dogs.

Last year, my trail of choice would have been Goat Flat and Upper Seymour Lake in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness near Philipsburg.

It was my first time on this trail and in this wilderness. The path sets out from Storm Lake and switchbacks up to just below 10,000 feet on the Continental Divide at Goat Flat, a sweeping, wildflower-filled plateau with 360-degree mountain views. From there it drops back down to cool, clear Upper Seymour Lake with a handful of campsites and great swimming. All in about 5 1/2 miles (11 miles round trip).

So far this year, I’d say it’s the 16- to 18-mile Dawson-Pitamakan Loop in Glacier National Park, featured as last week’s Wildflower Walk. (Distance depends on whether you take the boat across Two Medicine Lake.)

On any trail in Glacier, you’re guaranteed big mountains with big views; beautiful streams, lakes and flowers; and perhaps some snow or wildlife. On the Dawson-Pitamakan Loop, it’s more about what’s missing: the crowds. This and any other trail in the Two Medicine Valley are nearly empty compared to other parts of the park. And while you can only see the glaciers in the distance, you will still be wowed with every step.

These are both big trails that take some getting to. When I think about everyday hikes – trails that I can do on a whim – the picture changes.

The Bitterroot Mountains are a quick drive south of Missoula, and Blodgett Canyon on the northwest edge of Hamilton is a classic hike there. What I like best it’s accessible in any season. In summer, there’s plenty of greenery and a cascading stream. Fall brings reds and oranges to the canyon floor, and if you look closely you may find a foraging moose or two. In winter, it’s an easy snowshoe adventure. And spring brings flowers and waterfalls from the granite walls above.

This brings me to the point of this post: a survey.

Below you’ll find a link to SpeakUpMissoula.com, where I’ve started a topic about favorite dayhikes. I know where I like to go, but what are some of you’re favorite spots? Sign in and add a trail, or vote on an existing entry. At the very least, maybe you’ll get an idea for your next outing.


Click to vote or add a new answer!

Justin Grigg

Walk for July 30

July 30th, 2009

dawson_pitamakan_20090725_132

Elegant camas

Zigadenus elegans

Description: Bowl-shaped flowers three-quarters of an inch wide consists of six cream or greenish-white, petal-like segments with a greenish gland at base. Blossoms cluster atop stem 6 to 28 inches tall with 6- to 12-inch-long grass-like leaves growing from base. Grows in mountain meadows, rocky slopes and forests. Blooms June to August.

Recently seen: Dawson-Pitamakan Loop in Glacier National Park.

The walk: To reach the Dawson-Pitamakan trailhead from Glacier’s Two Medicine entrance station, drive about 4 1/2 miles west on Two Medicine Road. The parking area is located on the north end of the Two Medicine campground, where a bridge crosses the creek at the lower end of Pray Lake. Hike across the bridge and follow the trail north at the first junction, rounding the base of Rising Wolf Mountain and continuing up the Dry Fork Creek drainage. At about 1 3/4 miles, cross the creek and continue up the valley, following the trail west at the next junction. At about six miles, the trail splits before reaching Oldman Lake. Take the fork toward Dawson and Pitamakan passes, climbing two steep, switchbacking miles to Pitamakan Pass. Look for elegant camas in the dry, rocky soil along the upper switchbacks just before the pass. From Pitamakan Pass, continue a short distance uphill to just above Cut Bank Pass; at two junctions along the way, follow the path to Dawson Pass. The trail continues around the west side of Mount Morgan and Flinsch Peak, offering alpine views all around. It then switchbacks down to Dawson Pass at about 11 1/4 miles. Look for elegant camas again in this area. From Dawson Pass, the trail descends steeply almost two miles to a turnoff for No Name Lake. Continue down the trail 1 1/2 miles to a junction near the west end of Two Medicine Lake. From here, it’s a 3 1/3 mile walk back east along the north shore of the lake to the trailhead or about one mile to the boat dock at the top end of the lake, where you can ferry down the lake and return through the campground to the trailhead. Total distance is about 18 miles returning along the lake or 16 miles by boat.

Justin Grigg

Walk for July 23

July 23rd, 2009

black_lake_20090718_010

Mountain pasqueflower

Pulsatilla occidentalis

Description: Five to eight white or cream-colored sepals and many yellow stamens form flower is 1 1/4 to 2 inches wide. Stands on hairy stem 8 to 24 inches tall with finely divided leaves 1 1/2 to 3 inches wide at base and below flower. Blooms May to September. Grows on mountain slopes and in meadows. (“National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers – Western Region,” by Richard Spellenberg.)

Recently seen: Black Lake trail in the Jewel Basin, east of Bigfork, and Logan Pass at Glacier National Park.

The walk: The main trailhead for the Jewel Basin, Camp Misery, is accessed via Echo Lake Road, 73 miles north of Seeley Lake on Montana Highway 83. Turn north on Echo Lake Road and follow it for just more than two miles. Turn northeast on Foothill Road, where there is a sign for the Jewel Basin. After about one mile, veer east on Jewel Basin Road and continue uphill about 6 1/2 miles to the parking area. The route to Black Lake begins by crossing a small creek on the north side of the U.S. Forest Service cabin. Follow Trail 8 up through brushy terrain up to a junction at about half a mile. Take Trail 68 to the southeast for another half-mile up through the forest to another junction at a small meadow. Follow the trail northeast about three-quarters of a mile as it switchbacks up through the forest and rocks to a notch and another split. Take Trail 392 down almost half a mile through the trees and meadows to Picnic Lakes. Look for mountain pasqueflower in the alpine meadows beyond the notch, where snow has recently melted. Continue on the trail between the Picnic Lakes, curving north past another junction. Almost three-quarters of a mile past Picnic Lakes, the trail reaches another junction; follow Trail 1 downhill about a half a mile to just above the north end of the lake. A path leads a short distance down to the shore. Eat lunch here – but beware bees – then retrace your path to the trailhead. (Jewel Basin trail map.)

Justin Grigg

Meadow gold

July 22nd, 2009

black_lake_20090718_136

If you missed out on the glacier lily bloom around Missoula in mid-May, now is the perfect time to catch it up higher.

These small, yellow canopies can be found carpeting mountain meadows in the Swan Range’s Jewel Basin and in Glacier National Park.

The picture above was taken near Picnic Lakes in the Jewel Basin, which is along this week’s featured hike.

The Jewel is located off Highway 83 west of Bigfork. Turn north on Echo Lake Road and follow it for a little more than two miles. Turn northeast on Foothill Road, where there is a sign for the Jewel Basin. After about one mile, veer east on Jewel Basin Road and continue uphill about 6 1/2 miles to the parking area (this last part of the drive can be like a roller coaster ride).

From the trailhead at Camp Misery, hike any of the trails up and over the Swan crest. Look for glacier lilies around lingering snowfields. Here is a map of the Jewel Basin trails.

(On the way up the Swans, you’re also likely to see beargrass still in abundance.)

In Glacier, one of the easiest place to find these flowers is at Logan Pass, 34 miles northeast of West Glacier on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Again, look for the lingering snow and you’ll likely find glacier lilies.

Justin Grigg

Walk for July 16

July 17th, 2009

crazy_canyon_20090713_024

Pinedrops

Pterospora andromedea

Description: Bell-shaped whitish flowers one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch wide hang downward from sticky, purplish brown stems 1 to 4 feet tall. Leaves are narrow scales on lower stem. Grows in medium-moist to dry soil with decaying plant material under coniferous stands. Blooms late June to August. (“Peterson Field Guides’ Rocky Mountain Wildflowers,” by John J. Craighead, Frank C. Craighead Jr. and Ray J. Davis.)

Recently seen: Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area.

The walk: In the past, I’ve seen single stalks of pinedrops here and there in Pattee Canyon. This year, they’re even growing in clusters. Look for the plants in the duff along the edge of the trails throughout this walk. The Crazy Canyon trailhead in Pattee Canyon is 3 1/2 miles up Pattee Creek Road from South Higgins Avenue. Follow Trail 302 uphill from the kiosk above the north side of the parking lot. When you reach the junction with Crazy Canyon Road, after about a third of a mile, follow it downhill slightly to Trail 302.7. Continue east on this trail. After less than a quarter of a mile and a slight rise, turn south on Trail 302.5 and follow it about a third of a mile downhill to the trailhead.

Justin Grigg