Feeling a little tired and sick, but needing some outside time, Jeff and me decided to hike to pleasantly inclined Big Creek trail. Following the, well, big creek, the sweeps under and through western red cedar, western larch, and ponderosa pine as the stream creates a din of white noise that is occasionally broken by the song of Swainson’s Thrush or Pacific Wren. The sun was shining softly through a thin haze of high clouds, and rise in humidity could be felt on the skin. A couple of Western toads (Bufo boreas) hopped from underfoot, including on hog of an amphibian at the pack bridge that crosses Big Creek. We also ran into 2 Common Gartersnakes with their bright yellow stripes on almost black bodies. I failed to catch either of them…man, I am still of kid. If you need a quick and easy hike to tame your mind or just stretch those office-weary legs, Big Creek is one of the best hikes in the Bitterroots.

Getting There

From Stevensville, MT take the Stevi cut-off road to Highway 93. Travel south for 5.6 miles and turn west (right) onto Bell Crossing. Follow for 0.5 miles and turn north (right) onto Curlew Orchard/Meridian Rd. The road will become Big Creek Road and then Big Creek Trail Road. Follow for approximately 3.5 miles to the end and the trailhead. There is a pit toilet at the trailhead (thank God).

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You have to love June days in the woods
You have to love June days in the woods
A recently passed Vagrant Shrew on a carrion beetle
A recently passed Vagrant Shrew on a carrion beetle

After crossing Big Creek, the choice was to go onward
After crossing Big Creek, the choice was to go onward
Found this awesomely cooperative Paddle-tailed Darner
Found this awesomely cooperative Paddle-tailed Darner
Paddle-tailed Darner (Aeshna palmata) from Big Creek, Bitterroot Mountains, Montana
Paddle-tailed Darner (Aeshna palmata) from Big Creek, Bitterroot Mountains, Montana
The big Western Toad stood firm along Big Creek
The big Western Toad stood firm along Big Creek
I was thinking that this Western Toad had just crossed Big Creek
I was thinking that this Western Toad had just crossed Big Creek
Crossing Big Creek on the pack bridge
Crossing Big Creek on the pack bridge
Warm light settles onto the forest floor
Warm light settles onto the forest floor
Big Creek is a well-worn path for the first 2 miles
Big Creek is a well-worn path for the first 2 miles
Pastel softness of early summer
Pastel softness of early summer

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