Something about Nothing: Meadow Creek 1

It is fall. It is cold. I have never visited this location this late in the year. Within a week or two, this area will be locked out due to winter snows. Snow levels here are measured in feet. I am not sure about the elevation, but I suspect it is right around 6500 ft or higher. This is not an area to tred casually. Bears inhabit this area. Both Black and Grizzly. This late in the fall, most bears are fattened up, however you never know when they might need an additional snack for the big sleep of winter.

This location constitutes a plethora of youthful memories. Traditionally this has been one of the best fishing regions in the north west portion of Montana. It is commonly referred to as Meadow Creek. There are several miles of canyons scattered along the length of this mountain river, however much of it is inaccessible to any but the most foolish kayaker. One must make a note that caution is needed. These rocks are slick and despite calm appearance of much of this water…it is lethal. For most of this water, if you go in…you die. No ifs ands or buts about it. It looks calm on the top, but I have seen 2 ft boulders rolling UPSTREAM due to the nature of the under currents. There are kettles created in another canyon a mile or two upstream that were created by boulders 3 to 5 ft across, spinning and rolling in place during spring run off. This particular section is the most accessible (and the most spoiled by man). Unfortunately it is also the only section that I can get to due to some mobility issues. Needless to say, it is still a sanctuary and part of what I commonly refer to as my cathedral. The light was not conducive to good photography and my damaged amateur digital camera leaves a little to be desired by way of quality.

On this jaunt, I was accompanied by Wyatt, an old childhood buddy and long time friend of the family and fellow natural philosopher and worshipper of this environment.

But...now to the pictures...