Little Park Mountain sits above the upper Herein Creek valley.
When I got up, I saw high cirrus clouds spreading from the West. After some deliberation, I decided that I didn't want to risk climbing up onto the plateau
with a weather front approaching. I packed up and headed back down the valley.
On the descent, I stayed higher up on the North side of the valley and avoided most of the talus. (This was faster, but 30 - 40 degree side slopes are hard on your feet.) I made it back down to Big Park by early afternoon. By then, the cumulus clouds were building to the West. This shot is looking East, back to the Herein Creek valley from near the Stillwater River in Big Park.
I wish I had made a GPS waypoint for the log jam to cross the Stillwater! I spent quite a while pushing through regrowth trying to find it again. Finally, I found it, crossed and headed back down the Stillwater River Trail.
I camped at my Day 1 campsite. I'd just finished my camp chores and was in my tent when the rain hit. It rained heavily most of the night and even woke me up a couple of times.
The next morning, the cloud deck was down to 8000 ft or so, it was humid but not raining. I hiked down to the trailhead and headed home. There were lightning storms and rain that day too, so I think I made the right decision in bugging out.
Another memorable trip was over. It was great fun and I hope to take many more in the beautiful Beartooth Mountains of Montana!
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