Forty five miles up the north fork road north of Columbia Falls you reach the first leg of your destination. Next step a 1.5 mile hike uphill to your home for two days. The trail is steep and the elevation is high so heed this warning to anyone thinking about participating in this hike to be in the utmost health before attempting. The hike takes roughly about a half hour winding up and around with many a switchback. Not knowing what you might run into but knowing you are definately in grizzly country be sure to carry your trusty pepper spray within easy reach. On your ascent be sure to pick a few huckleberries, strawberries, and raspberries to have along with your dinner.
Just when you think you cannot go any further you round a corner and there peaking up over a hill is the lookout. A rustic little cabin and loft perched high atop the mountain. Upon closer inspection once you get past the padlocked doors and boarded up windows your eyes will adjust to the dim light and you will be able to survey your surroundings. Two cots are stationed in the far corner, a tiny wood stove, a table, and cabinents filled with gifts left by previous travelers.
First item on the agenda, collect and cut firewood. Just steps from your front porch and down a hill are numerous snags harvested by wildfire. Equip yourself with a trusty hand saw you will need it to begin the daunting task of dragging trees to your cabin and cutting them into 3 inch logs to fill the tiny stove for the chilly August night ahead. The late August nights are to beautiful to go inside to early so you will want to light a campfire and prepare to watch the sunset on top of the world. Sitting outside enjoying the trusty campfire you are front row to the spectacular light show that will spread brilliantly across the night sky. You will be left in awe to all the different hues of orange and yellow presented in this light show and will be left breathless once again when the harvest moon rises above the peaks to light your way back to the cabin.
The mornings dawn clear and bright packed with the immense possibilities of exploration. A brisk walk down the mountain first stop Polebridge mercantile. A quick stop into the mercantile for some much needed coffee and there truly one of a kind amazing pastries. A trip up the north fork road is not complete without a stop into this quaint little general store. The down home hospitality coupled with there truly wonderful baked goods and all your last minute items that you of course forgot because it wouldn't be a camping trip without those forgotten items make for a memorable experience. Head north on the way out to try your hand at catching a nice fish dinner in whale creek. Forge through the woods and make your own trail and hesitate if only for a moment to enjoy your surroundings and to really appreciate the natural beauty and the vast stillness of the wilderness. To many times we get wrapped up in our very futuristic lives and can't imagine life without our computer and our cell phones. We live in a very mobile world and we need to from time to time step back from it and discover the vastness of this planet.
As nighttime approaches and you head back to the lookout you will more than likely experience a late summer storm. Rush out to gather firewood to keep you warm and dry and to cook your dinner. Shut and board up all of your windows. Storms at the lookout produce intense winds that swirl around ferociously throwing up dirt and gravel in it's wake. Light a fire make your dinner and retire to your cot for the night while the propane lanterns envelope the room with a soft orange hue and put a peaceful feeling to the hard edge of the whirling storm outside. As the propane lanterns begin to wane retire to bed for the night hoping with dawns first light that the new day will dawn bright and clear.
Next morning pack your bags and clean your little home for the last two days in preparation of the next lucky occupants. The renegade storm over left in its wake is a beautiful rainbow that seems to end over your little outhouse ( gives new meaning to pot at the end of the rainbow). Everything is lush and crisp and smells like the earth. A certain sadness overtakes you as you head down the mountain. Anytime that we are lucky enough to leave our busy lives behind and enjoy the perfect peacefulness that the wilderness offers is a great joy. As you get back in your vehicle and head down the windy road towards civilization know that next year you will be back.
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