A bearable summer

Larry Wilson / For the Hungry Horse News

Every year and every season is different on the North Fork. This year it didn't seem that we had much summer. Almost every week we had rain and if not rain, unseasonably cool weather. This week, the last week of summer, we had an inch and a half of snow on Trail Creek.

The snow is gone because, after one day of almost sunny weather, it rained. As I write this on Monday there is rain, sunshine and wind. I suppose it is OK for bow hunters, but it sure is the pits for floating the river or sunbathing. Sure glad my woodshed is full.

One good side effect of a wet, cool summer is the lack of fire. Hard to imagine that our first big fire on the North Fork in nearly 60 years was the Red Bench Fire 22 years ago. Red Bench was followed by Moose Fire in 2001 and Robert and Wedge Canyon fires in 2003. All of these in the 40,000-50,000 acre range.

Since nearly half of the North Fork has burned in the last 22 years, the danger of a large stand replacement fire is reduced. Still, there are several areas that could support a big fire. Most likely is the Moose Creek drainage north to Whale Creek. Folks living on Moose Creek Road should certainly do everything possible to clear brush away from homes and cabins as well as along escape routes.

Another somewhat odd thing this summer is the number of bear sightings along the entire river. Almost every week there have been grizzly bear sightings somewhere between Wurtz Hill and Trail Creek. I think Becky Braunig has seen the most bears in one day. She spotted a black bear with three cubs north of Trail Creek and then saw a nice grizzly on Trail Creek Road. Can anybody beat four different bears in one day, let alone in one hour?

Luckily, none of the bears have done any damage or entered any buildings. Although some have been seen from cabins, the bears were apparently just passing by. Bill Meeker got several great photos from his front porch. The bear was within 100 feet and probably heard the camera shutter. At any rate, he posed for three good face-on views and then turned and sauntered off to cross the river into Glacier National Park.

Only the bears know why they have stayed in the river bottom instead of moving higher up to eat huckleberries. A different food source? Poor berry crop up high? At least there have been no confrontations, no break-ins and, consequently, no bear fatalities. I do hope bow hunters, who depend on stealth and stalking, are extra careful this season. It really isn't safe to sneak up on a bear!

Last North Fork Landowners Association meeting is Saturday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. at Sondreson Hall. Remember to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations for the Columbia Falls Food Bank.