September 22, 2013 - "Just a Short Hike"

Pine Creek Falls

Woke to a pretty clear sky and balmy mid-50's temperatures.  After a quick meal of oatmeal, dried fruit, and coffee, we packed up our day pack and set out on a 7, no, 8, no 10 mile hiket hat had a 2000 ft, no 2500 ft, no 3000 ft elevation gain, going from 6000 to 9000 during the last 3 miles of the hike.  Coming from 500 feet elevation just the prior day with no time to acclimate, mad this a bit challenging.The hike was along the Pine Creek Trail that ended up at Pine Lake nestled in the bowl of Black Mountain.  Despite extending through quite a bit of area recently burned by forest fire, there were a number of scenic areas along the pike, particularly the multiple waterfalls (and substanial ones at that), riffle pool complexes, and cascades found in Pine Creek.

Jewel Lake

Life continues.

At the end of the last extreme grade climb (just a bit steeper and it would have been a rock scramble) we came upon a most picturesque lake set against Black mountain, called Jewel Lake (aptly named).  Above Jewel Lake is the much larger Pine Lake that tumbles into Jewel Lake through a nice set of cascades.

Because dark clouds were moving in and we were short on water, we

Pine Lake II

Pine Lake

did not stay long before making our way down what I decided must be Dante's 9 circle's of hell.  Climbing up was tough but thanks to my work-outs on the step master and running on a minimum grade of 5% I actually managed it well.  Coming down, though, my right knee made it very clear to me that did not like this descending business and let me know on just about every step.  Grrrrr.  Got down eventually after side-stepping the last mile of descent and hyper-extending my knee on the "flatter" portions.  Gonna make an appt to see the doctor about this when I get home.

Rick checking in on Facebook

Interesting "Wooly Bears"

Back at the truck thoroughly beat and bushed, we gulped down powerade, alieve and water, changed out our sweaty socks, and then decided to head on over to Red Lodge for dinner.  With our first option (Bridge Creek) closed on Sundays, and our second option, Carbon County steakhouse a little pricey, we opted for Natalies Bar for drinks and pub food.  Afterwards we head south out of Red Lodge to Forest Road 2421 to camp at Parkside Campground, a lovely place next to the spirited Rock Creek.  The campground was not full (it was closing for the season tomorrow) so we easily found a nice level spot, drank a little wine and then called it quits for the evening and sank into our sleeping bag/down comforter/foam bed for a well deserved nights sleep.