Well, here I am at the trail head a little behind. I must hump it up University Ridge if I am going to catch the sun rise. Its 31 degrees with Inversion in the valley. Marcy is with me and anxious to go.
7.14 am : It has become apparent I don't need snow shoes so I am taking them off along with my warm clothes. The breeze seems warm and it is like spring and I start up the south ridge from the upper jeep trail directly north of the upper parking lot. Must get going ... here comes the sun. The Christmas lights give the cloud quilt over Missoula an interesting glow.
7.58 am : I have not at the top, only 600 feet to go. I am setting up for some sunrise shots. There is a huge storm system sweeping over the Bitteroot and heading towards me. The sun is supposed to rise around 8:15 but it is very light out now and has been so for 30 minutes. Very strong winds up here around 35 to 40 MPH.
8.22 am : The show has begun!
9.12 am : Show is over. I went up the ridge to the top taking pictures the entire way. It dos'nt feel like an extra ordinary set of shots. The sun came up behind a mountain so that wasn't great. I think if I was on the far East Ridge near the Eastern towers of the University Range, I could of got some better shots going down the valley.
Now I am back at base camp that I set up at 8 AM. Marcy seems to be happy and I have had a great time. Merry Holidays!
I feel like I could spend the entire day up here above the clouds. I know that sooner or later I will get cold or hungry. My ass is already cold from sitting in this snow bank. Well so long from the Top of University Mountain.
10.38 am : Back at the car. The hike down wad great. I thought about the gifts that I found on my doorstep this morning. It was like Santa Claus had come overnight. I must of been a good boy this year.
One gift was from my landlord and includes a special holiday mixture (adult beverage). The second gift was the best. My friend Julie had dropped off a basket full of her home made ginger snaps. I will tell you this; they are quite possibly the yummiest cookies on the planet ... and, I don't care for ginger either.
So I have had a good Christmas so far and I hope everyone out there has a great Holiday as well. Signing off from the Pattee Canyon trail head.