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| AllTrails map |
Getting There
This was the first time I'd been on Lolo Pass Road since last fall. I keep meaning to buy a small electric chainsaw in case I encounter a smaller downed tree blocking the road. Fortunately, there weren't any new falls. (I did stop to move one trunk further off the road.) Other than that, vertical clearance was good and surprisingly not as many pothole as I remember from last time.
The Lolo Pass trailhead had about 25 cars but there was still room for a few more. (I've been through there when it was far more packed.)
I only half expected to get out on the trail. I just wanted to scout the road to the Vista Ridge Trailhead. It was it really good shape and I only saw two cars coming down (a Jeep Patriot, Chevy Pickup). I was surprised to find the trailhead empty. I like the solitude but sometimes it's nice to know there are other humans around.
I grabbed my "usual" parking spot. LOL and geared up. I packed my crampons in-case I need to cross a large snow patch.
The Hike
Elevation Gain: 95 feet
Type: Out & Back
As soon as I started the trail, I was hyperaware of the sounds around me. I nervously whistled and talked out loud to no one,.. well, hoping to alert any wildlife that I was there and hopefully never see anything.
I've gotten better about embracing the sudden noises because 9/10 it's a little bird or small mammal right next to the trail and just off. I clacked my hiking poles but they don't resonate very well but better than nothing. Of course, I do my duty as a good steward to bushwhack the new growth crowding the trail to keep it open for the next hiker.
There were still a few small patches of snow that had many footprints through or around them, the size of a throw rug, no biggie.
As I continued, my nerves quieted down a bit, esp. when I could see more daylight as I approached the ridge where Vista Ridge Trail (#626) meets Old Vista Ridge (#626A). This is where the area map and sign-in board are located.
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| At the ridge & 626/626A junction, before the signs |
The photo above is what you see as you approach. The trail turn right under all that downfall. It was at least two big trees with trunks 6 ft in circumference and tall (20ft). I was able to skirt around them on the left (too much on 'going on' on the right).
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| Trail map and sign-in station |
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| Looks like cleanup has started, fresh cuts |
I didn't even try to go any further. Secretly I was a bit relieved. I don't like to back down from a challenge but since I was the only hiker up here, any reason to abort was welcomed. I knew this trail continues to a burn area and more forest so I deduced that it was going to be difficult to stay on track for any distance.
I started back to the car, again, going way around the downed trees. I continued to talk out loud, specifically to bears and other critters.
Ahead I glimpsed bright color and heard a dog bark. They'd heard me talking loudly to no one and moved off the trail. LOL. I told 'em that the trail ahead was in bad shape. (Actually, I was relieved to encounter other humans -- and dogs). I didn't mean to be a downer but the guy said "we didn't even expect to get this far." I tried to salvage my hyperbolic warning and tell them about the beautiful views at the ridge. I was exaggerating a bit but also trying to be positive.
When I got back to the trailhead, they had parallel parked.. I guess when I come back, I'll have to be a good citizen and park this was to maximize capacity. (I'd hate to drive all that way and find some a-hole had parked poorly).
