For those of us that live in western Montana, we are extremely fortunate to have so many great hiking destinations in such close proximity to our homes. Blue Mountain stands over Missoula, and on top of its forested slopes is a little-used fire lookout. The hike to the summit is a rather quick 1.9 miles and 700 vertical ( a welcome change from the steeper and longer hikes that we have been taking lately). As we walked along the trail, there were more than enough huckleberries for the picking and eating.

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Vida on the steps of the Blue Mountain Lookout
Vida on the steps of the Blue Mountain Lookout
Looking across to the Lolo Peak fire
Looking across to the Lolo Peak fire
Smoke of the Goat Creek fire
Smoke of the Goat Creek fire
Blue skies over the Blue Mountain Lookout
Blue skies over the Blue Mountain Lookout
Mixture of clouds and smoke over the Bitterroots and Lolo Peak
Mixture of clouds and smoke over the Bitterroots and Lolo Peak
Signs, Signs, everywhere the signs
Signs, Signs, everywhere the signs
Great Golden Digger Wasp - Sphex ichneumoneus
Great Golden Digger Wasp – Sphex ichneumoneus

Common Groundsel - Senecio vulgaris
Common Groundsel – Senecio vulgaris
Nodding Onion - Allium cernuum
Nodding Onion – Allium cernuum

Prince's Pine - Chimaphila umbellata
Prince’s Pine – Chimaphila umbellata
Giant Rattlesnake-plantain - Goodyera oblongifolia
Giant Rattlesnake-plantain – Goodyera oblongifolia
Bee on Giant Rattlesnake-plantain
Bee on Giant Rattlesnake-plantain
Bee on Giant Rattlesnake-plantain (closer)
Bee on Giant Rattlesnake-plantain (closer)
Vida picking huckleberries
Vida picking huckleberries
One huckleberry at a time
One huckleberry at a time

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