HIKING -- The Lions Head is a formation of two 7,200-foot-plus granite peaks on the Selkirk Crest east of Priest Lake Idaho, often seen from a distance.  But it's a fairly tough cross-country grind -- bushwhacking and boulder-hopping --  to reach the faces that lure climbers.

Brett Chambers and Alena Snell made it through lingering snow last weekend from Priest Lake via Abandon Creek.   The photo indicates the effort was worthwhile.

The Lions Head also is accessible via Lion Creek.

Chambers reported some notable details:

• We saw a cinnamon black bear and cub near the trailhead.
• Mosquitoes were out in FULL force.
• Found a cougar or griz elk kill sight high up in the boulder field just below the west ridge in the talus field.
• Still plenty of snow, preventing a safe route to the west ridge.