As Judy & I neared the summit of Mount Aeneas, a mountain goat posed for us. He was standing almost on top of the 1939 metal plate that marked the summit.
We saw many mountain goats this year; several of them coming almost within touching distance before veering off down the steep mountain banks to go around us.
This photo of me almost at the summit of Mt. Aeneas, shows the Flathead Lake valley view we saw on the south side of the ridge trail. The metal plate marking the summit, that the goat had stood near, is just in front of my left hand.
As we descended from the summit of Mt. Aeneas, we could see Birch Lake & several smaller lakes just to the southeast of the Jewel Basin ridge.
These yearling mountain goats allowed us to come quite close as they ascended on the snowbanks & we descended on the trail toward the Jewel Basin floor.
We dipped our feet in one of the Picnic Lakes inside Jewel Basin. The snow melt made this lake so cold that our feet tingled within a few seconds.
As we climbed back out of the basin & then descended toward the trailhead, we were once again surrounded by blooming Beargrass at its peak. A couple of Indian Paintbrush blossums were sprinkled here & there, as well.
Other than the glorious Beargrass blossums, my favorite flora on this hike were the tiny Alpine Forget-Me-Nots.
We also saw a few rabbits & chipmunks during the hike. Our focus was on the mountain goats because they are more rare, but I love seeing the antics of these fauna too.
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