Taking full advantage of the terrific spring weather on Saturday, we hiked to and beyond Bear Creek Falls on the Bitterroots. Only a short and relatively easy 1.5 miles from the trailhead, Bear Creek Falls is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana. I have made the trip to this falls on numerous occasions and always found my images wanting for something. That is until this weekend when I flew the DJI Phantom 4 over the falls for a perspective that (to my knowledge) no one has captured before.

The understory was largely still flower-free, but we did happen upon a western yew that was releasing its pollen to the air. The tiny cones resemble beige berries, which is why they often go unnoticed. Mourning cloaks and Joary commas were quite numerous with the butterflies battling it out for territories.

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Bear Creek Falls from high above...ever seen this view?
Bear Creek Falls from high above…ever seen this view?
Western yew releasing its pollen
Western yew releasing its pollen

Centuries of running water has smoothed the boulders and cobbles of Bear creek

Vida chilling over Bear Creek
Vida chilling over Bear Creek
Bear Creek roils and rambles
Bear Creek roils and rambles
Looking back down into the Bitterroot Valley
Looking back down into the Bitterroot Valley
The upper portions of the trail are still largely snow covered
The upper portions of the trail are still largely snow covered
Always a welcome sign, entering the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Always a welcome sign, entering the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Bear Creek Falls splits around a massive chunk of granite
Bear Creek Falls splits around a massive chunk of granite
The upper portion of Bear Creek Falls
The upper portion of Bear Creek Falls
Bear Creek Falls splits around a massive chunk of granite
Bear Creek Falls splits around a massive chunk of granite
Cascading through a split in solid granite
Cascading through a split in solid granite

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