6 miles of hiking • 2000' elevation gain •
Yesterday it looked rainy in the forecast, but when I checked it today morning weather service said 82F and partly cloudy. Well, let's hike someplace cooler today. I wanted to do McNeil for quite a while (only did Cairn Basin last year) and even though it was a family hike today I hoped everyone will forgive me for snow if I show some great views. To make a long story short, it was 55F and raining at the trailhead, and we didn't find McNeil because of fog, more rain, and 5-10 foot snowdrifts, but 5 minutes after we got back to the car it was all sunshine. Luckily, the view from Bald Mtn and from the upper viewpoint was great as always, and everyone liked the trail. The thread is now clear to about 5200 feet, but then the snow gets up to 10 feet deep in the trees... Not so deep higher in the open, more like 3 feet. There was a well-beaten path, but now looking at the topo it seems it followed just above Timberline trail rather than heading to McNeil(?). I'll have to hike it alone before bringing everyone there, hopefully in a better weather.
P.S. There are lots of flowers along the trail - beargrass, glacier lilies in the forest; the meadow at Baldy Mtn viewpoint is ablaze with flowers of all colors.
P.P.S. Lolo Pass Road is open despite the damage. There are a couple of gravel spots, and one short 1-line spot (well marked). No need to take a detour.
