Headquarters (Creek) Pass, July 10, 201
Wind, goats, flowers and views punctuate six-mile climb
Although we heard we might need crampons and ice axes, we made it all the way to Headquarters Pass with only having to skirt one snow field. The day was lovely! It started off on a good foot when we pulled up into the parking area and saw three beautiful white mountain goats. It was surprising to see them down so low.
We hit the trail around 9:30 and decided we would all attempt Headquarters Pass instead of some doing Our Lake. It was the right decision. Besides a few tricky stream crossing and a steep spot where we had to go around a snow and ice field, we have easy sailing on this hike.
Flowers were out, including lady and fairy slipper orchids, but no limestone/Jones columbine, so Jo Ann was disappointed again.
The waterfalls on the way were fantastic; and at the snow field, we happened upon a curious mountain goat, who got a bit too close for comfort at times. When Katie was skirting the snow field, he kicked some rocks down on her and kept trying to cross right in front of her. She tried to give him room but he seemed more curious about us and not necessarily trying to get around our party. We decided to eat lunch before continuing; and he hung around the whole time.
As we approached the last set of switchbacks, we scared up a goat family with a small kid and another lone goat, possibly the same one we saw down below. So we really saw quite a few goats on this trip.
When we arrived at the top, at the Bob Marshall Wilderness sign, all of the gals were stunned at the views into the Bob. Although a bit hazy from the smoke out of Canada, we nevertheless found breathtaking looks at the northern end of the Chinese wall as well as Rocky Mountain Peak, the highest point in the Bob. Only Katie and Jo Ann had been to this spot before. By then it was approaching 2 p.m., so we headed back down after taking many photos of the views and of our group around the sign.
We completed the hike at 4:30 and ate dinner at the Log Cabin in Choteau. What a wonderful day!
Who went: Jo Ann, Kathy M, Gail, Anita, Bonnie, Brenda, Katie
Link to Kathy's pictures
We hit the trail around 9:30 and decided we would all attempt Headquarters Pass instead of some doing Our Lake. It was the right decision. Besides a few tricky stream crossing and a steep spot where we had to go around a snow and ice field, we have easy sailing on this hike.
Flowers were out, including lady and fairy slipper orchids, but no limestone/Jones columbine, so Jo Ann was disappointed again.
The waterfalls on the way were fantastic; and at the snow field, we happened upon a curious mountain goat, who got a bit too close for comfort at times. When Katie was skirting the snow field, he kicked some rocks down on her and kept trying to cross right in front of her. She tried to give him room but he seemed more curious about us and not necessarily trying to get around our party. We decided to eat lunch before continuing; and he hung around the whole time.
As we approached the last set of switchbacks, we scared up a goat family with a small kid and another lone goat, possibly the same one we saw down below. So we really saw quite a few goats on this trip.
When we arrived at the top, at the Bob Marshall Wilderness sign, all of the gals were stunned at the views into the Bob. Although a bit hazy from the smoke out of Canada, we nevertheless found breathtaking looks at the northern end of the Chinese wall as well as Rocky Mountain Peak, the highest point in the Bob. Only Katie and Jo Ann had been to this spot before. By then it was approaching 2 p.m., so we headed back down after taking many photos of the views and of our group around the sign.
We completed the hike at 4:30 and ate dinner at the Log Cabin in Choteau. What a wonderful day!
Who went: Jo Ann, Kathy M, Gail, Anita, Bonnie, Brenda, Katie
Link to Kathy's pictures