Cooper's Lake larch finale as foot surgery looms

Cooper's Lake at the height of the larch color

We were surprised to see gorgeous ground cover this late in the season

 

 

My left foot:  why I'm having surgery

My hiking, and most probably back country ski seasons are over.

I sit here writing this before I leave for Missoula for long-overdue left foot surgery.

The surgery is to repair an injury suffered six years when I struck a rock while hiking.  It didn't take long for a large hammer (second)  toe to develop that has bedeviled me since.  I can't get hard-topped shoes and most boots over the top of the toe.  I thought I could dodge surgery with wider boots and silicone sleeves to deal with the rubbing on the top of injured toe.  Then, a big bunion began growing and pushed the hammer toe over the third toe creating a sort of toe "sandwich."

Needless to say, hiking, even walking became problematic.

I chose a Missoula surgeon who is offering a minimally invasive technique that will drill into my toes through small holes where the toes will be straightened, shaved and secured with small pins.

I'll be off my feet completely for two weeks, unable to put a shoe on for six weeks and unable to hike or ski for 12 weeks to six months, depending on how I heal.  There will be some swelling during the healing process.

I'm hoping to have a hiking and backpacking season next year. 

In the meantime Katie and I got to enjoy my season-ending hike at Cooper's Lake near Ovando near the west end of the Scapegoat Wilderness.

We managed to time it for the height of the larch.

The deciduous tree that has needles like a pine, but turns a brilliant yellow and gold in the fall and drops those needles, was brilliant with color.

I'll do an update after my surgery during the healing process.