Apgar Lookout May 9th 2015

[PeteE]

The weather guessers nailed the forecast for today. Twas too nice of a day to stay home.
I had to do some work in Kalispell so I had to do a shorter hike today.
Apgar Lookout has nice views on a good day so that was it.
Got started late for me at about 0750. I was surprised I was first to park
I tried to pace myself at times. I'm still having problems with blood sugar control while hiking.
And so I took 2:25 going up the 3.8 miles and +-1800ft. About 1:20 coming down.
Ok overall pace for a geezer

No animals except for a spruce grouse. I have some decent video of him in the video later this evening.
This is breeding season so he was "drumming" or whatever they call it. You will hear me refer to him as a "Blue".
I learned that name from some locals I hunted with when I first moved here. Grouse are excellent eating.
It's no BS about them having good "camo". These grouse are hard to spot when they hold still. I wasn't but 25-30ft away and when he held still he just virtually "disappeared".

From Wikipedia:
The spruce grouse or Canada grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) is a medium-sized grouse closely associated with the coniferous boreal forests or taiga of North America. It is one of the most arboreal grouse, fairly well adapted to perching and moving about in trees. When approached by a predator, it relies on camouflage and immobility to an amazing degree, for example letting people come to within a few feet before finally taking flight, a behavior that has earned it the nickname "fool's hen".


Nothing much exciting about the pictures or the video, except maybe the grouse clip.
You can see how barren of snow the place is.
That's the way things work. Some big years and some not so big years.

pete

Here is the video link
It runs 11:40 but y'all do have a "FF" button


Confluence of McDonald Creek from the left and the Middle Fork.


It was chilly when I began--about 29F


The log had frost on it but I botched it. I liked it anyway


There were a few trees to step over


There was just enough wind to screw up what would have been a nice reflection in Lake McDonald





Dat's it folks. Video is processing now so it won't be much longer


pete

[Ear Mountain]

I wish the weather was that nice for my drive to Provo. Heavy rain and traffic made for a tough end to the 12 hour drive. Please send some of that sunshine down here.

Looks like you had a nice hike Pete. Enjoyed your photos.

[ND]

Nice pics and video! Good catch on the grouse too.

[PeteE]

Hey Ralph:
Yeah it was nice. Thanks for the words on the photos. I know you know they're just "snaps".

Apgar Lookout isn't the most exciting hike in GNP but it has nice views if the weather's good.
Nobody but me there for over an hour. I always like that.
Good exercise too!

Doesn't sound like you had much fun driving to Utah. That's a long haul in ideal weather! I can't do that anymore.
I have to be in Billings the 18th and maybe the 19th. I'm going to make a 2 day drive.
Take my time. Maybe do some panning for gold or sapphires down near Helena.

Thanks!

ND

Thanks, I could hear grouse all over that ridge yesterday morning. I could never spot one until this guy, who was just feet off the trail.
And STILL hard to see
Pheasants and quail can be like that too, and when they finally do flush, they scare the crap out me!
I didn't see any flowers on that whole darn hill yesterday with the exception of whatever this is below, and there wasn't much of it.

Em R Bloo Flarrs

[MarxMN]

Those flowers are wild violets. We have several different types blooming in southern Minnesota now. I don't know which type would be found on the Apgar Lookout Trail.

There was fresh snow in the webcams on the east side of the park on Friday. Is the little bit of snow in your sixth picture the remains of that same snowfall?

[PeteE]

Those flowers are wild violets. We have several different types blooming in southern Minnesota now. I don't know which type would be found on the Apgar Lookout Trail.

There was fresh snow in the webcams on the east side of the park on Friday. Is the little bit of snow in your sixth picture the remains of that same snowfall?

Thanks for the ID on the flowers! I should carry a guide with me.
Regarding the snow, it's possible but I don't think it was fresh. It didn't look fresh. I didn't really look closely.

later
pete

PS
Unrelated to this thread
The rangers in the BC Office told me ticks are pretty bad this year, worse this season than recent years.
My guess is due to dry weather we've had.
If coming to GNP early, be prepared.
I HATE ticks.

[trevbo]

I HATE ticks too (nice job on apgar lookout).

[PeteE]

Whoa!! Trev!
You want to give the geezer nightmares?
LOL!!!!!!!
Yeah I can handle snakes, bears, you name it, but NOT ticks.
I already take daily garlic supplements.
I washed hiking clothes yesterday and will be spraying them with Sawyers first chance I get.

Thanks man. Maybe see you this summer

pete