St Mary Peak (Bitterroots) July 19, 2025

St. Mary Peak elevation 9,351

Saturday July, 19th

Trip leader: Susanna Girolamo

Participants: Edna, Hannah, Sean, Zach and Candy

Last Saturday, six of us gathered for a hike up St. Mary Peak in the Bitterroot Mountains. At the trailhead, we split into two groups to accommodate different paces. With high winds forecasted at the summit, we planned for an early start and hit the trail at 7:30 AM. Despite the hike's popularity, the parking lot was surprisingly empty when we arrived. We welcomed a new member to the group, Hannah, a visitor from out of town. It was her first time hiking at a higher elevation, and she handled it admirably. As we approached the tree line, the wind picked up noticeably, and temperatures began to drop. We paused to add extra layers before continuing upward. Yes, it was cold! At the summit, some of us explored the fire lookout tower while braving the howling wind and chilly conditions. We enjoyed a quick lunch, soaked in the stunning views, and began our descent. By the time we returned, the parking lot was full. It was about 12:15 PM. There, we met Sheryl Olsen from Stevensville, a dedicated trail advocate and volunteer who provides water to hikers in need. She shared stories about unprepared individuals attempting to hike some without water, proper clothes, or even wearing flip-flops.