Category: Montana

Holland Lake Falls–Seeing It At Last!

Posted on by Joy

Third time is a charm. Today we WILL get to the base of the falls on Holland Creek which connects Upper Holland Lake and the much larger 416-acre Holland Lake. The hike to the upper lake is about 12 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 3,600 feet. The hike to Holland Lake Falls is 3.3 miles round trip with a 750 foot elevation gain. Guess which one we are doing–remembering I’m wimpy.

I’ve walked this trail before but could never find access to the base of the falls. Today I will not be denied, and although it is mostly cloudy, rain is not forecast, the sun peaks through here and there, the smoke from fires north and west has subsided, and it is only in the upper 60s. What a day for a pleasant late morning hike. Sitting at the base of Carmine Peak in the Swan Mountains, welcome to Holland Lake!

Grab your gear, let’s go . . .

Beauty, Diversity, Partnerships Commingle at Ninepipe

Posted on by Joy

We only have one day to explore Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. The weather is not too promising, but such is spring in Montana. Over the course of the day we may see sun, then rain, then sun, then clouds. An ever-changing landscape, but the birds are consistent. Waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors alike are nesting and beginning to raise their next generation.

We are 18 miles south of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. The refuge sits in the Mission Valley with the Mission Mountains east and the Salish Mountains west, but the center of our attention is the 1,672 acre lake in the middle of the refuge surrounded by many smaller ponds.

Entrance to Ninepipe is right across the road from the Lodge. You can see a bit of light above the grass line which is the lobby/restaurant entrance. Let’s explore a while before breakfast. It is a bit before 6am and the birds are calling as the sky brightens. Let’s see what surprises we find at sunrise!

Mission Mnts sunrise
So much to see . . .

Back At You! Walking Along the Missouri River

Posted on by Joy

Hello everyone! It has been a hectic four plus months and I’ve missed you! Yes, I’m still alive, still taking pictures, and still heading into the wilderness. The biggest change is I’ve gone back to school working toward a second Master’s degree. OK, this is a lot of work, and since I’m retired I sometimes ask: WHY? Well, because I’m a life-long learner and can’t help myself.

So in my crazy, busy, demanding new school life, I “escaped” one morning to visit a place I love close by. We have walked here before, Missouri River Headwaters State Park. This day I arrived before sunrise to soak in the pre-dawn beauty, the glorious sun coming over the mountains, and the autumn landscape.

Come on along . . .

Ousel Falls Wander

Posted on by Joy

Well, it is that time of year. Not really winter, not really spring. Ice on the trails, lots of brown popping through the dirty-looking snow that’s left. The evergreens are not their beautiful greens, more like a yellow-green and pale. So to make up for this “it’s so much better any other time of year” feeling, we are going to Ousel Falls outside the town of Big Sky, Montana.  A short walk down and up, switchbacks across, through a canyon, and then rewarded with a beautiful waterfall. With all this ice, though, be sure to put on your ice cleats. It is mostly overcast today, but the sun is peeking through a bit and it is supposed to reach 52°.  That’s warm without wind, but we’ll see if the predicted wind changes things. Have those cleats on? Let’s go!

Watch your step . . .