Guilty of just fooling around

McDonald Lake 

I am totally guilty of just fooling around. Jan 3 to 5 gave us 3 feet of snow and that took a bit of time to rearrange . Other wise known as shoveling .  The birds have needed their feed and time to track the bobcat visiting the yard. Last weekend brought some sunny days and a great time to go snow shoeing up the Going to the Sun Road.  Blue Skies , snowy peaks and clear water. It doesn't get much better.

Water Racing Moon

wild Arnica good topically but don't eat

McDonald Creek heading west 

McDonald Creek as it Exits the West end of the Lake 

Fragrant flower 

Another view of the water exiting McDonald Lake into the Creek

Rocky point trail , Griz country

a friend on the lake beach 

McDonald Lake looking East to the Continental divide 

McDonald Lake 

Upper McDonald Creek where Avalanche Creek comes in

Avalanche Creek Showing off

Avalanche Creek

yet more  showing off  with a huge gurgling hole

Trillium blooming today

This is the Water Racing Moon, It will be full in about two weeks. During this time the water that has been locked away as snow for the last 7 months is mobilizing and racing towards the Pacific. All at once it would seem. The Lakes are full , the creeks are boisterous , and to tell you the truth the creeks are showing off just a bit with their frothy foamy bubbling as the water makes it's way from the mountains. It is easy to feel the exuberance of the water as it nourishes and brings life to the plants and animals. A good day of hiking for sure . A nourishing recharge.

Spring day on McDonald Lake : Happy in Montana

McDonald Lake as it pours into the Creek

 A bit of a jaunt on a sunny day to GNP , first stop Fisher Creek parking lot . The inside roads are still closed but you can hike to the creek edge and enjoy one of the nicest views of the Continental divide. McDonald creek is cold and clear . 40 degrees air temperature with the sun feels great .

fast moving ruffian

 Back around on the Going to the Sun road, I stop at the last pull out before Sprague Creek. I was contemplating how to get down the bank to the Lake when I heard hooves behind me and 5 yearling deer came flying through . Not much to do but to hold still and hope they go around . I was a bit concerned about what was chasing them. hmmm Mr Griz waking up this fine April day.

Ruffian's friend 

Down the bank and up the Lake

 After recovering from the stampede I took a stroll through the woods and checked things out . The snow is melted for the most part but the ground is still hard and frozen solid.

East end of the Lake

Up at the East end of the lake it is peaceful with just a touch of wind this afternoon. The sun more than makes up for it tho. short sleeves and a light down vest is enough for now.

Little feet take a rest 

Back down at Apgar a moments rest and time to soak in the sun. The continental divide is quite glowing in the afternoon sun.

Clear waters 

Sprague creek bubbles into the lake

 I ran into the 5 ruffians down at the McDonald Lodge . They looked quite sedate compared to their earlier race with death.

Finally we meet again , the 5 ruffians

Another satisfying Little Feet adventure . Spring Break up is on the way. Warmer days are ahead.

Serene Sunday : Happy in Montana

A serene Sunday to all . When I was a wee nip I would read about the explorers that came to the North West Rockies. I would read about the Tribes that lived in these areas , the Lakota, the Crow , the Blackfeet. I would think about the men who chose to wander in a solitary manner for months and years at a time . I would think about how they would survive the solitude and scant human company . When I stand on this shore and in these mountains I can understand their love for the wild back country.

Before the Storm : Happy in Montana

East end of McDonald Lake 

 I was just out splitting wood. It sounds very poetic. The reality is that it is very much like Yoda teaching Luke how to levitate things. You have to feel the force. As a female I have been indoctrinated to avoid hitting things. When you split wood the whole idea is to hit something and hard. Before you think this is a sad and difficult life I lead, know I can at any time turn on the propane furnace. I digress......

Saturday was a beautiful and noteworthy Fall day. So instead of cleaning the house, I went to Glacier for a quick peek before the Storm. Weather reports called for strong winds and snow starting Sunday afternoon for 24 hours. The trip to Glacier was of course rewarding . It was quiet as this is not the tourist season and the government shutdown had caused lots of people to cancel vacations. Oddly enough as I approached the entrance there wasn't anyone at the ranger station to check my season's pass. So I rolled on through. Slowly of course.

A random rock Cairn on the side of the creek

Looking west from a  creek as it enters the Lake

 After hiking a bit up at Avalanche and the Trail of the Cedars, the sun sets providing a spectacular show as it slides over the western mountains .

The definition of Serenity 

 Serenity is a state and choice of mind. It is also found in many of the Earth's sacred places. McDonald Lake is such a place.

Alpine Glow on the Continental Divide 

 Bringing the afternoon to a close we stopped for a quick drink from Mc Donald Lake and to take in the ethereal colours that result in the these high latitudes as the sun sinks westerly.

One last stop to say good bye to the Lake

 The skies were a bit hazy Saturday as people west of the Park were  burning brush piles and the the smoke was drifting east.

Leaving the Park 

 The western larch are in full dress today . Sunday the winds were 40 to 60 mph and stripped  the needles . Saturday was  the day to enjoy the beautiful golden trees.


Sunday continues with wind and at least later some sunny skies.  We lost our electricity in the wind last night ( twice ) so I cranked up the wood stove. A totally different experience burning wood in the West vs the East . The Lodgepole burns hot and you need to do smaller loads. A different rhythm from South Eastern hard woods. The house is toasty ( almost too toasty) We expect 15 degrees tonight . The house is buttoned up and my wood splitting was successful. I simply had to focus on the log in question and whack the hell out of it  . A little creative visualization helped. Grateful to be in tonight. Wishing the deer a snug sheltered pasture to pass the night.

Marley contemplating the Lake and afternoon

WW