Ward Mountain: Great snow and rewarding meadows.

Distance: ~10-11 miles
Vertical: ~5,000ft

In the back of my mind, I have this initiative to tour every frontal (eastern) mountain in the Bitterroots this year. From Lolo Peak to Trapper. Right now, I think I'm almost half way. Today Ward Mountain was added to the list. With avalanche danger considerable, and going solo, I thought the low angle of Ward would be just the ticket.

The entire trail is skin-able. The snow really started getting good around ~5,500ft. Sinking nearly a foot with each step made slow going. I was impressed with the rewarding meadows along the way after getting out of the lower trees. These meadows are probably 20-25 degree slopes that just beckon to be tagged with long sweeping turns. A prime location when avy danger is of a heightened state. :) 

Fluff!

Probably my favorite little meadow, around 7,000ft.

I was surprised with the steeper options available from Ward. Specifically the obvious north facing drainage off of it around 7,800ft. I stood on a ledge looking down at it, contemplating; but with no one with me.. thought I'd stick with the original plan.  

That final push, feels so good.

Summit cairn.

Looking SW from the top.

Looking N

East view.

Side note, SPOT tracker is pure brilliant! I've been doing increasingly more solo tours, and although confident in my abilities, having the option to contact the outside world is a welcome feeling. Tracking available at 10min intervals, pre-programmed messages that let loved ones know that you are: OK, going to be late, in need of help, or even the SOS function that will send your coordinates to the authorities letting them know you really botched something up.  Below is a shared map screen shot after the trip. This map is available to anyone with the link and is updated real-time during the trip.

Thanks for looking!

-Miles Granger