Columbia Mountain

Even though Glacier is the focal point, the Flathead and the surrounding area presents boundless activities, talk about it here.

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Columbia Mountain

Post by PeteE »

Went for a short hike up Columbia Mt--the one you see directly across the valley from the KGPI airport.
You never know who or what will be on that trail.
Today everything from motorcycle "dirt bikes", all manner of "leashless" dogs, to a group of 15+ Dads with sons running their RC "rock climbers" up the trail!! LOL
Next time I'll get an earlier start 8)

This is a good hike if you want a good workout with great views of the Flathead Valley.
The trail to the top is about 5-6 miles and rises over 4000ft. The last bit is a wickedly steep bunch of switchbacks.
I just went out a couple miles. I wanted to get back to watch Brooks Koepka win the PGA.

pete :wink:


US 2 just before entering Bad Rock Canyon. Sucks because hand held in a stiff wind :(
Image

Little waterfall near the trailhead
Image

These blue flowers were about the only thing blooming.
I did see some "Shooting Stars", a really beautiful little flower http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail. ... PDPRI030D0
But they were a little past prime and the wind was really blowing and impossible to photograph them well.

Image

Image
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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by PeteE »

Blah, blah, blah....
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by Jay w »

Like them purply flowers.

Jay :D
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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by teapot57 »

Sure is nice to see all that lush green growth and wildflowers. Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by Sue Z »

Ima go with larkspur (although "that purply flower" is more descriptive).
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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by PeteE »

Jay w wrote:Like them purply flowers.

Jay :D
teapot57 wrote:Sure is nice to see all that lush green growth and wildflowers. Thanks for sharing!
Sue Z wrote:Ima go with larkspur (although "that purply flower" is more descriptive).
Thanks all :)

Yeah, I'm going with "purply flowers" too since I know s**t all about flowers in spite of all the books and pamphlets I own 8)
I used to joke with Toddnick about flower colors sayin'...There was red uns, an' blue uns, an' purple uns, an' yaller uns, an' arnge uns ... :mrgreen:
I miss that boy :(

I do love photographing flowers though, especially with some "wildlife"! 8)
Thistle in "Big Bosses" back yard. Nasty weed but beautiful flowers.
And important to those of us who are part Scot :D

https://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/th ... istle.html
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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by Jay w »

Julie looked over (at the flowers from 3 feet away) and said, "Oh, I like those flowers." I said, "Yeah, I called them purply." She replied, "They're periwinkle."

I'm always surprised that Todd just disappeared from Glacier and this group. He was crazy about Glacier. He studied all the info he could get his hands on and planned his hikes up to a year in advance. Once he had an itinerary, it could be pissing down rain and he'd still knock out a 20 mile hike. His tenacity was amazing. It seems like once he hiked all the trails in Glacier, it was on to the next challenge..

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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by teapot57 »

I met up with Todd in September 2017 and did a hike with him to Morningstar Lake. One of the fastest hikes I’ve ever done— 14 miles in less than 4 hours.

Fast forward to last summer, 2018. I had snagged a last minute Many Glacier campground reservation for one night. The campsite was a good one right along the river, so I decided to drive down to the Park solo and hike to Iceberg Lake, then camp for the night in my primo spot. After finishing the hike and setting up camp, I poured myself a glass of wine in a to-go cup, and walked the campground to check out a few campsites I had reserved for later in the summer. Lo and behold, who do I see in another reserved campsite site but ToddNick, sitting at a campfire, also sipping on wine. I spent that evening hanging out with Todd, chatting about the hikes he had done and life in general. He is a super great guy. Not sure why he stopped posting, but keep your eyes open while in the Many Glacier area or on the trails. You just might bump into him.
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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by PeteE »

Last summer?
I'll be damned!
When was that Tina?

pete :wink:

And yeah, Todd doesn't waste any time hiking.
Jay w wrote: Once he had an itinerary, it could be pissing down rain and he'd still knock out a 20 mile hike. His tenacity was amazing.

Jay
Yeah boy. I won't ever forget giving Todd a ride to Jackson Overlook one morning to do the hike over Gunsight Pass to Lake McDonald.
There was a cold miserable rain falling when he left. And he later said it was sleeting at the pass.
Todd had left his water bottles in Squeeze and I didn't realize it until I was home.
That didn't stop him. He told me he collected rain water in his hat :shock:
And he completed the hike in a little over 8 hours. F'ing unbelievable, but that was Todd for ya.
He could really GO! :mrgreen:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by teapot57 »

When was that Tina?
It was during the last full week of July. He came over to my campsite around 9:30 am the next morning as I was tearing down my tent. He had already been to Red Rock Falls and was on his way to the Grinnell Glacier Trail. He doesn’t waste any time while in the Park!
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Re: Columbia Mountain

Post by Jay w »

I'm surprised that Todd was in the park and made no contact with Pete or posts here, but then again, I guess that makes sense. He still has a love for Glacier but the group, not so much. A while back, I sent him a message (email?), but no response.

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