Boulder Peaks with Kevin Joyce: Bitterroot Mountains

Looking north from the summit of Boulder Peak with Kevin Joyce.

Last weekend, I got out and climbed a mountain with Kevin Joyce, who has been my PhD student for the past few years and who has also become a friend. Kevin will be wrapping up his studies next May and is wondering where he'll be in a year. For now, he's soaking up Missoula and the surroundings. He's great guy to climb mountains with, because he's fit, he's at ease on rugged terrain, and he's great company.

We took a beautiful day (it's been stunning weather lately) and went down to the southern Bitterroots to climb Boulder Peak and East Boulder Peak. The Boulder Peak ridge sits just south of Trapper Peak, across the Boulder Creek drainage. The hike begins on the steep trail to Boulder Point Lookout, and then goes off trail, west along the ridge, first to East Boulder Peak then on to Boulder Peak. You return to your car by reversing the route. It took Kevin and I 8.5 hours to do it with several leisurely stops along the way. On the way home we had food and beer at Bitterroot Brewing in Hamilton, for an all around fantastic day.

A detailed description of how to get to the trail head and up to the peaks can be found here. 

Trapper Peak and Kevin from Boulder Point lookout.

The larch were in full fall colors.

Me nearing the East Boulder summit with Boulder Peak beyond and the ridge swinging down to the left.

On the ridge out to Boulder Peak from East Boulder.

Another along the ridge.

Gaining the Boulder Peak summit slopes

Another on the summit slopes of Boulder Peak

Looking west from the summit of Boulder Peak

East Boulder Peak from the summit of Boulder Peak.

The mighty Bitterroots from Boulder Peak, looking north.

Boots and summit cairn.

Yours truly.

The ridge from Boulder back to East Boulder.

Along the walk back to East Boulder. 

Almost back to the trail: Boulder Point Lookout.