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Last week I joined my PhD student Joe V on a trip to sample & set sensors in the Mission Mts. We were joined by postdoc Logan. I must say that our high elevation target, Summit Lake, might be the most beautiful I have ever sampled in Montana, or perhaps anywhere. Join us... 1/?
We started out fresh and happy, hiking along McDonald Lake, looking forward to 7.5 miles to Summit L (according to the map).
The trail passed through a gorgeous grove of ancient cedars.
with a gorgeous waterfall.
It was a little undignified to cross the log bridge,
As we reached the upper levels of the valley, we realized that the maps were wrong. Summit Lake was actually 10.5 miles from the trailhead. But the hiking was nice.
We reached the lake as evening fell, super tired. Look closely at the video. Do you notice something? (beside the gorgeousness).
Yes, the things you see flying around are not birds or bats. They're mosquitoes. MANY MANY MANY.
This is my anti-mosquito outfit.
This is my anti-mosquito outfit.
We sampled and set out sensors early the next morning. While the others sampled with limnology gear, I sampled with a dry fly.
We sampled and set sensors in a second lake along the way back, descending 3800 feet over 10.5 miles. I must say that the last 3 miles were a bit of a death march. All were exhausted. Joe will need to go back up in September to retrieve the sensors. Volunteers?
big thanks to G Smies at SKC for her collaboration in allowing us the privilege of studying these lakes.
