
My friend and I hiked the loop on June 19-20th; although there is still some snow lingering along the trail, the loop is now easily accessible. We hit the Salmo River crossing in the early afternoon, but the water level was fine and the crossing easy. We saw bear scratch marks on trees near the Salmo Cabin, and later saw a large black bear in that vicinity.
Last fall's lightening-started fire burned a significant portion of the trail between Snowy Top Pass and the trail to Cabinet Pass, but the wildflowers are already beginning to add color to the charred landscape. We were able to camp at Little Snowy Top and melt snow for drinking water; there are very few water sources after Snowy Top Pass. Fortunately the old fire lookout at Little Snowy Top was saved from the fire, as there are charred trees within ten feet of the lookout! There are obvious signs of fire retardant on the trees and rocks near the lookout.

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