Idaho & Servere Winter Conditions

The visit to Yellowstone was the end of the road trip, and we had allowed 4 days to return to San Francisco via the Oregon coast. A short side trip was made to upper Montana where conditions were very cold with days around 0F (-18C). Driving through mountain passes was quite tricky in the cold and icy conditions; semi trailers were going backwards and sideways along the highway, while others were stationary with hazard lights turned on while snow chains were applied.

The Ford Escape Hybrid preformed above expectations, and although sliding here and there made it up and over all the mountain passes that heavier vehicles had problems negotiating. For the remainder of the day, as temperatures climbed above freezing, we dodged large pieces of snow and ice that fell from trucks traversing the highway.

Night seemed to come quickly, and as camping was out of the question in 0F, a motel was sought along I-90, in the local town of Wallace, Idaho. The evening meal was memorable in that it was Idaho trout – a local dish. Unfortunately, the wine served with the trout was not as memorable – dish water comes to mind with vehicle freeze retardant as an additive - man that wine was evil!  Needless to say I passed on breakfast the   following morning.

The following morning was a surprise as it has snowed heavily during the night and covering everything in fresh powdery snow. The hybrid had a foot plus of snow covering the vehicle. Wallace was stunning in its winter cloak, and rather than “make tracks” west we spent the morning mulling around town basking in the winter wonderland. 

The 4 foot long icicles that I discovered hanging from this church should give you an idea to the outside temperature!

It wasn't cold,at first as you climbed from the vehicle, but after 15 minutes messing about in thigh deep snow you soon became a little chilled.

The most important anatomical bits to keep warm were your fingers.  Often I would discard my gloves to allow for better dexterity in manipulating camera controls; you had to be careful that frost nip followed by frost bite did not set in. 

I remember all to well when I fell on the ice when photographing some wildlife.  My gloves were wet and I took them off.  10 minutes later my finger tips were hard and I had lost feeling.