Two hikes in a row have started a hefty downhill, which the end of the day is uphill (shaking a fist at the gods). From a ridge near Tom Beal Park, you descend nearly 1000 feet to the first lake of the Walton Lakes. The trail is generally in great shape. The huckleberries were abundant and fat…I know this because Vida ate several pounds of the purple things.
Now let’s talk about idiots. As we made our way along the shoreline of the first lake, we came across the campsite of a family. They were chopping down a tree and amassing a huge pile of firewood in a ring. I informed them gently about the current open fire restrictions as we are under an extreme threat of wildfire during the current drought. The father feigned understanding and immediately how long we were going to be around. That asshole was going to definitely light that campfire. Once again my theory that most people are idiots is confirmed.
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The Moose, Mooses? or Meese?
Driving home, we crossed over Lolo Pass and near the Fish Creek road, we spied a cow moose in the meadow. She was licking at the salty mud. Then, her calf joined her. We spent several minutes watching the pair as they met their daily sodium intake requirements.
Over 4th of July weekend in 1980, I left Tom Beal Park and hiked south along the ridgeline toward Grave Peak. Darkness caught me, and I camped halfway to the peak. That night, a magnificent storm came in and I could watch the lightning strikes onto the main Bittrroot crest miles to the east. The next morning, I hiked diagonally southeast down the slope, visited Colt Lake, and then climbed most of the south slope of Grave Peak on my way back to my campsite. I saw not another soul that day. One of the best days of my life.
Hope to hike to the Wind Lakes during this year, 2022.