A flaked partner and low funds in the bank account had me scrambling to find a last-minute adventure a little closer to town this weekend. Initially, I'd been itching to bag Mt. Evan in the Anacondas, but with the puppy in tow, I decided to keep things a bit mellower. Instead, the Highland ridge traverse was selected. Three 10,000+ peaks all above tree-line within spitting distance of Butte.
Table mtn (center) and Red mtn (right) seen through the haze from the Butte Walmart, when I stopped for the morning grub.
The route requires heading up the old road to the abandoned Red mtn lookout (seen here) and following the ridge up to the summit of Red (in the distance).
Looking towards Butte from the lookout.
Great view from the can.
A look at the traverse (This pre-smokey pic is taken from the summit of Red Mtn last July).
After descending the opposite side of Red, the route requires summiting Peak 10,136 (Second tallest in the Highlands) on excellent goat trails.
Looking down into a moonscape cirque.
After Peak 10,136, the geology changed dramatically, from sharp volcanic scree to alpine tundra. The plateau summit of Table mtn at back.
Emerald lake: The headwaters of the Clark Fork (and depending on how you measure the Columbia).
Summit cairn and a weather station on Table's broad summit.
Looking back at the route. Peak 10,136 at left, and Red at right.
First round of exams is now upon me, so the only mountains I'll probably interact with in the near future, will be out the library window.
Salude!
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