Our early-season hike to Canyon Creek Meadows was saved from disappointment by another hiker who warned us that the trail was still under snow. He suggested another trail, so we hiked out through a sea of wild huckleberry bushes and burned out trees until the trail took a dip into a valley that we didn't feel like climbing out of. While the others waited patiently, Jo and I scrambled up a ridge to get above the trees for an unobstructed view of Three Fingered Jack. We noticed bear scat and a lot of fresh tracks and I kept hoping for a sighting. No such luck this time. Our friends did find a couple of ticks on their pants back at the trailhead, but I would have much preferred a black bear.