For years, we have looked in awe at the Bitterroots. Every time we drive past Missoula, go down Skalkaho, or climb in the Sapphires, there they are in the distance… A jagged, granite range running north-south along the Montana-Idaho border from Missoula south for fifty miles. After years of desire, we set forth on a 7-mile adventure that ended with one of the most impressive climbs either of us have ever done. Topping at the 8,984′ peak known as Castle Crag, this is in the top-3 most amazing places I have ever been to date. Pictures do not do it justice.

Huckleberries and wild blueberries and thimbleberries were all in fruit. It was so nice to have some fresh fruit (local, too!). Despite the steady water and good forage, we did not see much in the way of wildlife. Prints from a wolf, scat of a bear, and a few peek!‘s of a pica were all we ran into. Well, except mosquitoes. Plenty of them.