My wife and I squeezed in a short trip into the Pintlers, an area we've always wanted to hike but just never got around to doing it. We both agreed we'd be back in for a longer trip next summer :)

We made a loop starting at the Middle Fork of Rock Ck trailhead, headed up the Middle Fork- hooking into a few trails including a potion of the CDT and then out the Falls Fork of Rock Ck back to the same trailhead

The area is dotted with several alpine lakes (most occupied by trout :))

Little Johnson Lake (the lupines were out in full force, as well as a whole host of other wildflowers)



@ Bitterroot Pass



looking down onto Kelly Lake



camp at Ripple Lake



I was expecting "typical" small mountain lake trout (8-10"), but got totally surprised w/ this fish- cutthroat-rainbow cross that was in the 4 # range! With very light tackle (2# test), I had a long 20 minute fight and surprised myself and actually landed it. The trout was too big for the grill so he went back in to grow some more.



this one wasn't too big however for my "1 oz grill"



there was a large burn in the area in 2000 that took large chunks of real estate





trail into Hidden Lake- amazing wildflowers!



Hidden Lake



views from the CDT



this sign got a scorching



Elk Park (aptly named as we saw 15-20 head)



the nights were cool and the mornings crisp



Pintler Pass



while resting at the pass we met "Handle Bar" who was on his way to finishing the CDT, was great visiting with him as we want to give the CDT a go sometime

Johnson Lake



down the Falls Fork which is aptly named as well





I've already penciled in a longer loop east of where we were hiking for next year :)

Edited by mtwarden on 01/06/2012 07:57:26 MST.

Wow Mike!!!!

You did a heckuva job landing that trout! I'm impressed w/your patience on 2lb test. You really had a to baby that one.

Great pics - I'm jealous every time I see people in long sleeves this time of year :(
I'm still sweating outdoors at any time of day!

Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad you and your wife do this together.

Todd

I love that area! thanks