Trailhead.
Joseph Creek and the mouth of Green Gulch.
A lone tree on the way down from Point 2814.
The ridge I'm walking back down to the mouth of Green Gulch.
Point 4148.
Across Joseph Creek.
The Grande Ronde River.
Mt Wilson.
Point 2814.
Green Gulch.
On the way to Point 2814.
A side canyon off of Green Gulch.
The trail quickly became snow covered so I opted to walk up one of the side ridges.
Ranch at the mouth of Green Gulch. I believe this is now part of the state wildlife area.
Green Gulch Trail, Chief Joseph Wildlife Area.
I'll be hiking up the ridge right of center. It seemed steeper than it looks on the way up.
This is the south rim of the gulch. It will be more than 4000' of gain to reach Mt Wilson via this ridge. I haven't gained that much elevation in one day since hiking in the Cascades. Yes, I was tired afterward, then I did another peak.
Ranch at the mouth of Green Gulch. This is part of the wildlife area.
Moving on up.
Pleasant hiking though steep in places.
Balsamroot and other flowers are showing on the ridge.
Getting some elevation now.
First paintbrush.
Shooting star.
Point 2814 which I hiked twice earlier. Green Gulch below.
Looking back toward Joseph Creek.
The ridge ascent thus far. I started right at the farmhouse.
What is left. Mt Wilson summit not in view yet.
The final hike up to Mt Wilson. Summit not in view yet.
Blue bells near the warm rocks.
More blue bells.
The closest I've gotten to a chukar. These birds are eurasian partridges of the pheasant family and were originally brought for sport hunting. They thrive in dry areas and do the good deed of eating invasive cheatgrass seeds.
Spring beauty.
Phlox growing in dry rocky spots.
The summit of Mt Wilson sits back a bit from the main slopes and is not visible from below.
Point 4148 is my next peak and I'm a tad concerned about the terrain between here and there though.
View from near the summit of Mt Wilson.
Mt Wilson summit, finally. This is my third try to get his one. It was too icy to hike the steep slopes on my other two attempts so I went to some lower points. It feels good to get'er done!
A light and cairn on Mt Wilson.
The Snake River 4000' below.
Summit view Mt Wilson.
Looking south from Mt Wilson. The Oregon/Wa border crosses the summit.
Heading to my next peak below.
Blue bell.
Dogwood?
Some sidehilling but a nice game trail made it easy.
More shooting star.
Almost to the false summit of 4148. I was fooled into thinking this was the top.
Phlox on a rock.
4148. It turns out the traverse was easy with no steep spots at all. In fact, it was quite enjoyable.
Down toward The Snake. I believe that's Wapshilla Ridge, part of the Craig Mtn massif. I'm hoping to hike out there as soon as access opens.
4148. This peak is positioned in an excellent spot for views.
Some elk grazing below. It must have been a rough winter for them.
Elk.
Enjoying the view.
Looking back to the traverse from Mt Wilson.
View north from 4148. The Grande Ronde in view.
A sliver of The Snake. A peak of the Seven Devils can be seen above.
Mt Wilson. Glad to have been there.
The Grande Ronde.
There is one more peak called Lime Hill to do on this ridge but I'll save that for another trip later. It's the rounded bump after the point with a steep east face. Views of the confluence of the Grande Ronde and Snake are said to be good from there.
South from 4148.
Jim Creek Butte, 5152,' I think.
Relaxing on 4148.
Mt Wilson is the high point in this area at 4913.'
The ridge I'll be walking down to Green Gulch. It's about a 3000' descent. Ow.. my knees!
Looking back up to 4148.
Almost down to upper Green Gulch.
Poplars along the creek.
Balsam root.
The green of Green Gulch.
Green Gulch Trail.
This area was a ranch but the state acquired it for the wildlife area.
Dropping into the lush lower area of Green Gulch. Poison ivy is said to flourish here but I didn't see any.
More flowering dogwoods?
Canyon walls of Green Gulch.
Deer.
Wildlife in the wildlife area.
At the mouth of Green Gulch and completing a 10-mile loop with about 5000' of gain.
Balsam root near the parking area.
Interesting basalt outcrop near parking area.
Joseph Ck is raging. Normally this is a small stream.