05/29/14 Unnamed 5620 #34

On May 29th, I headed out for an early morning bike-and-hike.  I had been looking on maps at a small unnamed peak that appeared to have an old dirt road that went close to its saddle.  This would allow me to bike a good distance and then hike up from the saddle to the summit.

I left Missoula early and was to the road that broke off the Mormon Peak Road by about 8:30 a.m.  It was a beautiful crisp morning and the initial section was all downhill to the crossing of Mormon Creek.  The road seemed to have been closed longer than I expected and really just had a single track with the other side being overgrown with grass or, in more extreme cases, brush and trees.

Wildlife Tree

Past the creek the route followed the creek up drainage with the lovely music of the water in my right ear.  Having not been back there before I followed another old track as it turned left--I knew I had to go in that direction--but after going on flat for a long distance I determined it was the wrong one and went back to the first road and followed it further up drainage.  I found a couple snags near the road that had old signs on them protecting the trees for wildlife.  It was an interesting tactic and seemed to have worked as the two trees were still standing--although I doubt anyone ever sees those signs or wants to cut those trees down as they are so far from where you could get a vehicle.

After a bit the road made its obvious turn back to the left and started climbing a bit more steadily.  Having exhausted my biking muscles two days earlier I pushed my bike for awhile, alternating with riding it when it was less steep.  On the last switchback before reaching the ridge there was a nice wide turn and an old fire ring or two.  There was also bear scat on the road so I called the switchback bear camp.  Off in the trees I saw a bike lying on the ground.  I went over to check it out.  It had sat there for quite a long time.  I hoped I would not run upon the same fate as the owner of that blue Roadmaster.

Awesome blue Roadmaster

I carried on through the brushiest section on the road and was ducking and pushing through alder.  I've decided that when alder is in my way it is one of my least favorite plants.  I suppose it could be hawthorn, but it is still pretty awful, especially when trying to get a bike through it.  Fortunately the alder section was short and I came to the ridge, where I stashed my bike.

I saw another old road heading toward the saddle and was glad I had studied many maps and had seen that road on one going to the saddle.  I remembered I could follow it.  It was even longer abandoned and was much rockier.  At this point it didn't matter as I was just walking and no longer pushing my bike.  The old road did indeed go to the saddle and I could hear the singing of McClain Creek to my right, letting me know I was in the right spot--it was a bit hard to tell at first as the forest was rather thick.

From the saddle I followed the road briefly and then found a bit of a trail that followed the ridge.  As I climbed higher and higher the forest opened up.  The south side of the mountain was completely different than the north side.  On the south, it was open and warmer, which allowed the many flowers to bloom.  There were many balsamroot and lupine and paintbrush.  It was lovely and the views down to the Bitterroot Valley was great.

View up the ridge

The ridge had a couple of false high points, but upon reaching them I could tell it was higher just a bit beyond.  Eventually I came to a spot where it dropped off on all sides.  As it was forested more to the north and east I descended a bit to get a view and make sure I had reached the highest point.  Being satisfied that I had and because I had to be back in town in a bit I lingered for just a minute or two and then hustled back to my bike.

Once on the bike I made my way back down the old road very quickly.  This is the part I always remind myself of when it is too steep and I'm pushing my bike up the hill.  The way down is so fun and so fast and it helps to save my knees.  I was back to the creek and then back up to my car in about one hour from when I had started down on my bike.  It had been a fun little peak.

Elevation gain:  1680'     Total gain:  52,165'