A few years ago a friend of mine from New Jersey was surprised that I wanted to head to the Caribbean in May. “Why leave in May? Just when the weather is getting wonderful, and you can start backpacking?”
Right. We’ve done a May trip to Blodgett Canyon in the Bitterroot Valley for a number of years, and this is pretty much the typical scene:
Of course, there really is a lot of beauty in May, and this year most of the month was sunny and warm. We just jinxed the weather by deciding to go to Blodgett at the end of the month. Nice to know we have that power.
Blodgett Canyon is a great choice for an early season hike, since the trail follows Blodgett Creek and stays low for a number of miles up the canyon. The trailhead is a couple of miles north of Hamilton, on the west side of the Bitterroot River. There’s a nice little campground at the trailhead, too. It’s a grand family hike since it’s not too much of a climb, and you can just go as far as you want up the canyon. The scenery is spectacular, the fishing is good, and we’ve seen moose, elk and even a mountain goat one year.
Off the Beaten Path: Hikes, Backpacks, and Travels 
Just stunning… What a beautiful vista!
thanks
I’ve seen snow in Montana in July. It was brief, but we’re lucky if it snows even once down here. Camping in it is no fun.
One year it snowed 6 inches on August 22 – and we were trying to get 300 college freshmen into their dorms. I’m sure the ones from the south were ready to hightail it out of here.
That looks like a horse under the moon in the last picture.
I know! Like a giant stick horse.
Love the photos and that you did the hike. Was one of my favorites when we lived there .. and have some great memories of time spent in Blodgett. Great place to go huckleberry picking in the spring, if you can beat the bears to them! Happy hiking and thanks for the travels through your pics/words.
We haven’t had a good huckleberry year for a couple of years – maybe this year they’ll be good. Thanks for the comment.
Very interesting blog… these photos are great! Many thanks.
LOVE these photos!!!
That’s nice – thanks.