JOIN MONTANA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION
Our 2016 Wilderness Walks pay tribute to the spirit of the Wilderness Act by featuring
adventures into wild areas and roadless lands. This year we are proud to offer more than
100 free guided day hikes, fun educational programs, and trail maintenance projects.
Montana Wilderness Association
works with communities to protect
Montana’s wilderness heritage,
quiet beauty, and outdoor traditions,
now and for future generations.
Thank you to all the volunteers who so generously contributed their time, energy, and talents
to make the Wilderness Walks program a success.
If you would like to learn more about the Wilderness Walks program, contact Amanda Hagerty
at [email protected] or 406-443-7350 ext. 108.
Helena Office
80 S. Warren, Helena, MT 59601 • 406-443-7350 • [email protected]
Billings Field Office
2822 Third Ave. North Suite 204, Billings, MT 59101 • 406-690-3725 • [email protected]
Bozeman Field Office
105 West Main St. Suite 2B, Bozeman, MT 59715 • 406-404-1000 • [email protected]
Great Falls Field Office
1400 1st Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401 • 406-453-9434 • [email protected]
Libby Field Office
108 East 4th St. Suite 205, Libby, MT 59923 • 406-291-2708 • [email protected]
Missoula Field Office
118 W. Broadway Suite 1, Missoula, MT 59802 • 617-872-5352 • [email protected]
Whitefish Field Office
750 2nd St. W., #A, Whitefish, MT 59937 • 406-284-1747 • [email protected]
Wildhorse Badlands www.tonybynum.com
Choteau Field Office
17 3rd St. N.E., Choteau, MT 59422 • 406-466-2600 • [email protected]
Online Registration
Difficulty Levels
CDT Trail Stewardship
Volunteer Trail Projects
Regional Hike Maps
Hike Descriptions
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10
16
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www.wildmontana.org
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ONLINE REGISTRATION
A WORD ABOUT WILDERNESS WALKS
DIFFICULTY LEVELS
Montana Wilderness Association uses an online
registration system for our Wilderness Walks.
The process for registering for a walk
is simple.
Wilderness Walk
online registration begins
APRIL 20 AT
8:00 AM
Visit wildmontana.org/walks
at that time to register.
1. Select a walk from the Wilderness Walks book.
2. Visit wildmontana.org/walks, find your walk (organized by chapter), and click
“register for this walk.” To sign-up before May 2 please use user name:
summer (all lowercase) and password: 2016.
3. Complete the registration form for the hike you are signing up for. If you are
registering for other family members and friends, you will need to fill out
information for each participant. Please note: You can register family and
friends all at once, but all participants will also be required to fill out a
liability waiver at the trailhead.
4. An email confirmation will automatically be sent to you with the walk leader’s
contact information. If you have any questions about the hike or you need to cancel,
please contact the walk leaders as soon as possible so he or she can give your spot
to someone else.
5. If you do not hear from your hike leader at least two weeks before your hike is
scheduled, please reach out to them.
If you have any questions about signing up for a hike, please contact the
Helena office at 406-443-7350 or [email protected].
Each Wilderness Walk description includes a comment about difficulty and trail mileage.
For your safety and that of fellow hikers and leaders, please be sure you are aware of
these important details and are properly prepared for the walk. If you are unsure of your
ability to participate in a hike, please contact the hike leaders with your concerns.
Easy hikes are 3 miles or less; mostly level ground or only slight incline.
Moderate hikes are 4 to 6 miles or less; mostly level ground or up to 500 feet of elevation gain.
Moderately Strenuous hikes are 7 to 10 miles with an elevation gain that will generally not
exceed 350 feet per mile and a total elevation gain of no more than 1,000 feet.
Strenuous hikes are 7 to 10 miles and include rocky trail conditions, tricky stream crossings,
or elevation gain of more than 1,000 feet but less than 2,000 feet.
Extremely Strenuous hikes are 10 to 14 miles or more than 2,000 feet total elevation gain,
but no more than 3,000 feet.
YOUR CHECKLIST
•
Carefully review the descriptions and make your selections of walks based on your
physical abilities, general state of health, hiking experiences, and equipment.
•
Each walk has a participant number limit to guarantee a quiet experience, to protect
fragile wildlands, and to comply with the guidelines of the managing land agency.
•
All personal gear, food, and water are your responsibility. Please be sure you are
properly equipped with extra layers of clothing for abrupt weather changes.
•
Please carpool from the meeting place to the trailhead when possible.
•
Firearms are not allowed.
•
Be sure to plan adequate travel time so you are at the meeting place at the appointed hour.
•
Do not be a “no show” after you have registered for a hike. It leaves
everyone waiting and worrying and denies someone else the chance to hike.
If your plans change, notify the walk leaders as soon as possible.
•
No dogs are permitted, in fairness to fellow hikers and wildlife.
EARLY REGISTRATION (MWA members only)
To register before May 2, when prompted, please use
user name: summer (all lowercase)
and password: 2016
2
Montana Wilderness Association assumes no liability for personal
injury or loss of personal property on the Wilderness Walks program.
When completing the online registration form, you will be asked to
read and sign a Waiver and Release agreement, as well as at the trailhead.
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BUSINESS SUPPORTERS
We thank the following businesses and organizations for their generous support.
As you adventure across Montana, please support these local businesses and give back to
those who help protect Montana’s wild places!
To learn more about how your business can help keep Montana wild, contact
Heather Greene at [email protected] or 406-443-7350 x102.
We thank all who support our work with their payroll
deductions and pledges through Montana Shares.
Montana Shares • PO Box 883, Helena, MT 59624
1-800-823-2625 • [email protected] • www.montanashares.org
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BUSINESS SUPPORTERS
We thank the following businesses and organizations for their generous support.
As you adventure across Montana, please support these local businesses and give back to
those who help protect Montana’s wild places!
Contract Flooring
Molly Montana/Kieran
Dr. Antonio Santin
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Back Country
Horsemen of Montana
Montana Native
Plant Society
Upper Missouri
Breaks Audubon
Missouri River
Flyfishers
Real World
Design
Yoga for
Wellness
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WILDLANDS INVENTORY
Not your typical wilderness walk…
JOIN US in celebration of Montana’s
wild places with a weekend full
of live music, hikes, presentations,
family activities, food, and fun.
This summer we will hike remote trails in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest to find out for
ourselves just how wild these places really are. Using the latest technology, we will collect
field data to create a stronger voice for some of Montana’s true hidden gems, from the
Tongue River Breaks and the Pryor Mountains to the crest of the Madison Range. We need
your help collecting this information and advocating for the protection these places deserve.
A day on the trail involves noting wildlife encounters, documenting campsites, identifying
plants, and assessing trail conditions. Lengths of hikes vary depending on terrain and what
we encounter along the way.
photo courtesy of Justin Olthoff
A DEEPER LOOK AT OUR WILDEST PLACES
Montana Wilderness Association is excited for its second season of conducting wilderness
inventories in some of the wildest backcountry under the Big Sky.
A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR FORESTS
For the first time in 30 years, the Custer-Gallatin National Forest is revisiting how it manages
this vast landscape, making critical decisions about which areas will be recommended for
Wilderness designation. Your participation in these wilderness inventories is more than just
another day on the trail. This is your opportunity to make a lasting difference and raise your
voice in support of Montana’s remaining wild places.
We hope you’ll join us.
Outings will be limited
to a small number of
participants, so be sure
to keep an eye out for
our announcement of
the trip dates. Trips will
be announced in early
summer.
Meeting times and places
vary. For meet-up info and
additional questions, please
contact Sally Cathey at
[email protected].
FEATURING
Rabbit Wilde, Friday, September 9
Classic Americana folk
Room reservations can be made at the
Historic Hotel Arvon for a group rate
starting at $99 per night. Call 406-952-1101
and mention you are attending the
Montana Wilderness Association Wild Fest.
Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs
Saturday, September 10
Old Timey Tunes, Rock & Roll Spirit
Tent camping is available at Giant Springs
State Park. To check availability and reserve
your camping spot, call the Giant Springs
Ranger Station at 406-727-1212
For more information, visit
www.wildmontana.org/wildfest or call
Laura Parr at 406-443-7350 ext. 110.
Wild Fest 2016 is in
partnership with
Giant Springs State Park.
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CDT MONTANA
Montana Wilderness Association Volunteer Trail Stewardship Program
With dedicated volunteers and partners, Montana Wilderness Association is working
to complete the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in Montana, but we need your help.
Please check out these volunteer opportunities and join us this summer.
2016 CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL PROJECTS
1*
Private
MYCA, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Moderate
2
June 12–17
Granite Butte, Garnett Range, Moderate-Strenuous
3
June 18–25
Welcome Creek, Scapegoat Wilderness, Moderate
4
June 19–24
Salmon New Trail I, Lemhi Pass, Strenuous
5
June 26–July 1
Salmon New Trail II, Lemhi Pass, Strenuous
6
July 8–16
Page Lake, Anaconda Pintler Wilderness, Strenuous
7*
Private
Montana Academy, Helena-Lewis and Clark, Moderate
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July 15–23
Lion Lake, Big Hole, Strenuous
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July 29–Aug 6
Flower Lake, Anaconda Pintler Wilderness, Strenuous
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July 29–Aug 6
Blair Lake, Centennial Range, Strenuous
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Aug 12–20
Ladies Trip, Anaconda Pintler Wilderness, Strenuous
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Aug 13–20
Big Hole, Big Hole, Strenuous
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Aug 16–26
Fifty Mountain Trail, Glacier National Park, Strenuous
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Aug 27–Sept 2
Shoshone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Moderate
15
Sept 2–10
Elbow Mountain, Badger Two Medicine, Very Strenuous
How to Register
• Log on to
wildmontana.org/cdt
and click on “Volunteer on
the CDT” to browse the
projects, check availability,
and read project details.
• Select the project you’d
like to join, click on “Register
for this Project” at the bottom
of the project page, and
complete the form.
• Submit your refundable
deposit and you’re done.
You will receive an autoconfirmation right away and
an additional email from
MWA staff in two to four
days with more project
information.
*Private projects are pre-arranged partner projects. For more information about setting up
a private project for 2017 with a group of 6–10 people, contact Shannon Freix at
[email protected].
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CDT MONTANA
continued
WHAT’S NEW IN 2016?
This year we are collecting a refundable deposit (either $50, $75 or $100) to hold your spot
on a CDT Montana project. This will help ensure that everyone who registers is committed
to the project and hopefully reduce the number of last-minute cancellations. If this new
deposit makes it difficult for you to sign up for a CDT Montana project, please contact
Shannon Freix at [email protected].
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH CDT MONTANA
ARTside on the Divide, Artist in Residence Program
Are you an artist who wants to find your muse on the CDT? Spend some time in a cabin
on the divide and let your creative energy flow. This is a joint program with BeaverheadDeerlodge National Forest. Go to cdtmontana.org and click on ARTSide on the Divide to
learn more and apply for 2016. Deadline is May 1.
CDT Montana Camp Cook
You will never feel more appreciated than feeding a group of hungry trail workers at
the end of the day. Smiles, thank yous, and rave reviews are in abundance. Join any
CDT project to wield a spatula instead of a shovel. We create the menu and do all the
shopping, then we’ll turn the apron over to you to rule the kitchen. See project list
for dates.
CDT Montana Trail Scout
Our field leaders don’t always have time to lay eyes on the work before each trail project.
Help us with the details by going out a week in advance to take notes, snap photos, and
give us the low-down. We’ll give you a checklist so you know what to look for.
CDT Montana gives special thanks to all of our partner organizations
and businesses that make this program a success. A special shoutout goes to the Back Country Horsemen of Montana (BCH) and
its state chapters. BCH provides much-needed pack support for
many trail projects across the state. For more information and to
get involved, visit www.bchmt.org.
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Meg Killen
Warrior Hike Support Crew
Warrior Hike is a non-profit organization focused on helping combat
veterans “Walk Off the War” on the CDT when they return home.
If you’d like to offer your guest room to help these veterans when
they reach Montana in August, we’ll put your name on the list.
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EE F
FR IL IN
A
TR
VOLUNTEER TRAIL PROJECTS
O
Montana Wilderness Association, often in partnership with other
wilderness service groups, organized projects designed to prevent erosion,
remove weeds and create trails.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation connects Americans
with their wilderness heritage by providing access to and stewardship
of one of the world’s most spectacular places—Montana’s Bob
Marshall Wilderness Complex, the crown jewel of the Wilderness
System. They help hundreds of hard-working volunteers, including
youth, develop a land ethic and give back to the wilderness by opening
trails, restoring heavily used areas, maintaining historic structures,
and fighting weeds. For more information and to volunteer for a trail
project this summer, visit www.bmwf.org.
The Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Wilderness Foundation
works to connect citizens and communities to assist in the
stewardship of the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Frank Church-River
of No Return Wilderness, and surrounding wildlands. For more
information and to volunteer for a trail project this summer, visit
www.selwaybitteroot.org.
Your online guide to the
best trails under the Big Sky
Visit hikewildmontana.org
Built by Montana Wilderness Association volunteers, it’s Montana’s first
statewide, online trail guide. Like Wilderness Walks, the site connects people
with the wild places we’re working to protect. Discover 200+ lesser-known trails,
up-to-date trail conditions, and secret spots for breakfasts, burgers, and B&Bs.
Help the website grow! After you hike, use the Trip Report button
to share your experience and trail conditions. Or, use the Add a Trail button
to share new trail descriptions and photos of your favorite trails.
The Absorka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation supports
stewardship of the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness and fosters
appreciation of wildlands in the area. For more information
and to volunteer for a trail project this summer, visit
www.abwilderness.org.
The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness conducts education,
outreach, and stewardship activities to preserve the rugged, scenic,
and biologically diverse 88,000-acre Scotchman Peaks Roadless Area.
For more information and to volunteer for a trail project this summer,
visit www.scotchmanpeaks.org.
The Great Burn Study Group works to permanently protect the
wild and remote character and ecological integrity of the northern
Bitterroot Mountains in western Montana and northern Idaho.
For more information and to volunteer for a project this summer,
visit www.greatburnstudygroup.org.
hikewildmontana.org
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VOLUNTEER TRAIL PROJECTS
Get on the trail and give back by signing up for one of these trail projects!
Register by visting the trail project page at www.wildmontana.org/walks
Friday, July 8
Saturday, August 6
BAKER LAKES STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
PRYOR MOUNTAINS WEED PULL
LOCATION
NEAREST TOWN
DIFFICULTY
DISTANCE COVERED (EST)
MEETING TIME/PLACE
PROJECT CONTACT
Middle and Gem Lakes (Bitterroot Mountains)
Darby
Moderately Difficult
4.5 miles
9:00 am at the Bitterroot Forest Supervisor’s Office
(1801 North First Street) in Hamilton
Renee Snyder
Baker Lakes Basin is a very popular hiking and backpacking destination in the Bitterroot
Mountains. The trail passes through heavily timbered lodgepole pine forests to Baker Lake.
We will hike through a stunning high-alpine cirque lake environment over large exposed
granite formations looking up to the backside of Trapper Peak, the highest point in the
Bitterroot Mountains. This year we will continue our efforts to clean campfire rings and pick
up trash. We will also be working with the Bitterroot National Forest to post the wilderness
boundary between Baker and Middle Lakes and to close some of the user-created trails.
What to bring: Water, lunch, gloves and a rain jacket for afternoon thundershowers.
Any other tools will be provided.
LOCATION
NEAREST TOWN
DIFFICULTY
DISTANCE COVERED (EST)
MEETING TIME/PLACE
PROJECT CONTACT
Burnt Timber Ridge (Pryor Mountains)
Bridger
Easy
2 miles
7:00 a.m. at Albertsons parking lot (3137 Grand Ave) in Billings
Susan Newell
Help our four-year effort to eradicate invasive Spotted Knapweed threatening East Pryor
Mountain. We will pull knapweed along Burnt Timber Ridge Road while enjoying a day in
the spectacular Pryor Mountains. We’ll see native wildflowers, watch butterflies, note
spectacular limestone cliffs and sub-alpine meadows, as well as a variety of birds, small
creatures and possibly deer. Four-wheel drive vehicles necessary to get to location;
carpooling is an option.
What to bring: Lunch, water, comfortable outdoor work clothes and footwear, and sun
protection. Weed pullers are asked to bring their own tools such as a dandelion digger,
large screwdriver and hammer or narrow blade shovel.
Friday, July 15 – Saturday, July 16
Saturday, August 6
BERRAY MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT PROJECT
BAKER LAKES STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
LOCATION
NEAREST TOWN
DIFFICULTY
DISTANCE COVERED (EST)
MEETING TIME/PLACE
PROJECT CONTACT
Bull River Guard Station (Kootenai National Forest)
Trout Creek
Moderate
6 to 7 miles
7:00 a.m. at the Bull River Guard Station
Cindy Betlach
LOCATION
NEAREST TOWN
DIFFICULTY
DISTANCE COVERED (EST)
MEETING TIME/PLACE
PROJECT CONTACT
We will be clearing, brushing, and working on drainage structures and tread work on the
Berray Mountain Trail 967 and the Berray Mountain West Trail 1025. All but about 1.5 miles
of these two trails were in the 2015 fires, followed by the fall wind event, so there will be a
substantial amount of clearing. Early recon indicates there will be some tread work, and
there’s always additional drainage needs following a fire event. In addition; we will be
spraying weeds at the trailheads, and around the guard station, and doing maintenance work
at the Bull River Guard Station.
What to bring: Gloves, lunch, and a potluck dish for dinner. The Forest Service will provide the
tools and radios.
Middle and Gem Lakes (Bitterroot Mountains)
Darby
Moderately Difficult
4.5 miles
9:00 am at the Bitterroot Forest Supervisor’s Office
(1801 North First Street) in Hamilton
Renee Snyder
Baker Lakes Basin is a very popular hiking and backpacking destination in the Bitterroot
Mountains. The trail passes through heavily timbered lodgepole pine forests to Baker Lake.
We will hike through a stunning high-alpine cirque lake environment over large exposed
granite formations looking up to the backside of Trapper Peak, the highest point in the
Bitterroot Mountains. This year we will continue our efforts to clean campfire rings and pick
up trash. We will also be working with the Bitterroot National Forest to post the wilderness
boundary between Baker and Middle Lakes and to close some of the user-created trails.
What to bring: Water, lunch, gloves and a rain jacket for afternoon thundershowers.
Any other tools will be provided.
Cosponsored by Yaak Valley Forest Council.
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VOLUNTEER TRAIL PROJECTS
Saturday, August 20
NORTHWEST PEAK LOOKOUT CONDITION
ASSESSMENT AND WORK DAY
LOCATION
NEAREST TOWN
DIFFICULTY
DISTANCE COVERED (EST)
MEETING TIME/PLACE
PROJECT CONTACT
Northwest Peak Lookout (Kootenai National Forest)
Yaak
Moderate
4 miles
9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Pete Creek Road #338
and Hwy 508, 3 miles outside of Yaak.
Chuck Manning
Volunteer to help the Northwest Montana Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association
(FFLA) conduct a facility condition assessment at Northwest Peak lookout in the heart of the
Northwest Peaks Scenic Area. In addition to assisting the FFLA with the condition assessment
and doing site cleanup, the leader will share with you the role lookouts play on the landscape
and explain basic fire spotting skills and weather reporting. Northwest Peak Lookout is a
gabled L-4 cab prototype built in 1929 and is one of many historic lookout structures on the
Kootenai National Forest This assessment will guide the restoration efforts for Northwest
Peak Lookout in 2017 and beyond.
What to bring: Water, lunch, standard day hiking gear and always plan for changing weather.
Cosponsored by Northwest Montana Chapter Forest Fire Lookout Association.
Sunday, September 18
BAKER LAKES STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
LOCATION
NEAREST TOWN
DIFFICULTY
DISTANCE COVERED (EST)
MEETING TIME/PLACE
PROJECT CONTACT
Middle and Gem Lakes (Bitterroot Mountains)
Darby
Moderately Difficult
4.5 miles
9:00 am at the Bitterroot Forest Supervisor’s Office
(1801 North First Street) in Hamilton
Renee Snyder
Baker Lakes Basin is a very popular hiking and backpacking destination in the Bitterroot
Mountains. The trail passes through heavily timbered lodgepole pine forests to Baker Lake.
We will hike through a stunning high-alpine cirque lake environment over large exposed
granite formations looking up to the backside of Trapper Peak, the highest point in the
Bitterroot Mountains. This year we will continue our efforts to clean campfire rings and pick
up trash. We will also be working with the Bitterroot National Forest to post the wilderness
boundary between Baker and Middle Lakes and to close some of the user-created trails.
What to bring: Water, lunch, gloves and a rain jacket for afternoon thundershowers.
Any other tools will be provided.
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19
FLATHEAD-KOOTENAI
CHAPTER AREA
WALK DATE
PAGE
EASY
NORTHWEST REGION
Eureka•
97
4
10
31
41
53
71
100
105
55
90
5
Libby •
5
14
17
18
60
64
83
88
108
Whitefish•
18, 29,
58, 78
14
Kalispell•
63
4, 100
May 7
May 21
June 11
June 18
June 25
July 16
Aug. 27
PLEASANT VALLEY BIRDING
KOOTENAI COUNTRY BIRDING
BULL RIVER FIRES
LINCOLN COUNTY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR
PLEIN AIR ART DAY
OLD GROWTH ECOLOGY
WETLAND WANDERINGS
34
38
51
57
63
73
90
FLAGSTAFF FLORA
COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN EVENING WILDFLOWER WALK
FUNGI AND FOREST HEALTH
LEIGH LAKE YOGA HIKE
THREE LAKES PEAK
FIRE ECOLOGY FIELD TRIP
BRIDGE OF WILDERNESS
CHAPAAQN
WETLAND WONDERS AND WILDLIFE
35
40
42
43
67
69
80
82
95
MOUNT HENRY
GEIGER LAKES EXCURSION
PICNIC LAKE
ROCKIN’ GEOLOGY DAY
64
69
75
78
BLACKTAIL TRAIL #997
GRANITE LAKE LADIES HIKE
KLATAWA FIRE
COAL RIDGE LOOKOUT
MOOSE PEAK
46
50
66
72
84
RED TOP MOUNTAIN
TUCHUCK MOUNTAIN
89
94
MODERATE
68
10, 41, 53, 108
17, 31, 83
71
64
25
WALK
74
May 14
May 31
June 4
June 4
July 7
July 9
July 30
Aug. 11
Sept. 24
MODERATELY STRENUOUS
Polson •
55
63
74
78
June 26
July 9
July 22
July 23
60
STRENUOUS
88
Online registration
details on page 2.
25
29
58
68
90
June 6
June 11
July 2
July 16
Aug. 13
EXTREMELY STRENUOUS
97
105
20
Aug. 21
Sept. 18
21
SHINING MOUNTAINS
CHAPTER AREA
WALK DATE
WALK
PAGE
EASY
WESTERN REGION
39
June 18
MACLAY FLATS EXPLORATION
56
SOUTH FORK LOLO CREEK
RYE CREEK ROAD RESTORATION
FAMILY WILDFLOWER WALK
COQUINA LAKE
SCHLEY MOUNTAIN
42
52
55
85
86
HUB LAKE
FINLEY LAKES
HEART LAKE
67
74
80
SUNDAY MOUNTAIN
TURQUOISE LAKE
55
60
LAKES BEHIND CRESCENT MOUNTAIN
PILOT KNOB
68
82
MODERATE
16
34
37
92
93
48
38
59
61
June 4
June 11
June 12
Aug. 13
Aug. 18
73
82
MODERATELY STRENUOUS
37
39 • Missoula
93
87
59
73
82
16
July 2
July 21
July 28
STRENUOUS
38
48
75
92
56
June 15
June 24
• Anaconda
• Butte
34
EXTREMELY STRENUOUS
61
87
6
65
July 9
Aug. 11
WALK DATE
WALK
PAGE
101
Dillon •
7
Online registration
details on page 2.
EASY
75
July 2
LOST CREEK STATE PARK
75
THE MOST EXPLOSIVE VOLCANO IN THE WORLD
36
HUMBUG SPIRES
BALDY MOUNTAIN
35
91
SAWTOOTH LAKE JAZZ BACKPACK
70
MOUNT HAGGIN
64
MODERATE
7
May 15
MODERATELY STRENUOUS
6
101
May 14
Aug. 28
STRENUOUS
65
BUTTE-BEAVERHEAD
AREA
SOUTHWESTERN REGION
22
July 9 -10
EXTREMELY STRENUOUS
56
July 23
23
ISLAND RANGE
CHAPTER AREA
WALK DATE
13
15
40
79
26
19
62
13, 15
May 28
June 4
June 18
July 23
SUN CANYON KIDS’ HIKE
HANNAN GULCH
NORTH FORK DUPUYER CREEK
WEST FORK TETON
39
40
56
78
HALL CREEK
FRENCHIES GULCH
TWO MEDICINE FIGHT SITE
BUFFALO LAKES
EAR MOUNTAIN OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA
& YEAGER FLATS
WOODHAWK CREEK
NEZ PERCE TRAIL
ARROW CREEK FIELD SKETCHING HIKE
49
51
61
63
68
COLLAR PEAK
TIMBER CREEK
LOST RIVER
BLACK ELK COULEE
OUR LAKE
MIDDLE FORK OF THE JUDITH RIVER
36
39
43
85
91
92
EAST BUTTE SWEET GRASS HILLS
48
ICE CAVE
KIYO CRAG
73
77
MODERATE
Havre •
49
79
102
PAGE
EASY
NORTH-CENTRAL REGION
27, 54
76
40
WALK
27
32
49
54
62
June 11
June 11
June 24
June 25
July 9
84
99
107
July 30
Aug. 27 -28
Sept. 20
99
• Choteau
91
84
107
Great Falls•
MODERATELY STRENUOUS
8
32
104
81
90
95
• Lewistown
70
12
Online registration
details on page 2.
8
12
19
91
102
104
May 15
May 22
June 4
Aug. 13
Sept. 9
Sept. 17
STRENUOUS
26
June 11
EXTREMELY STRENUOUS
70
76
24
July 16
July 23
25
WILD DIVIDE
CHAPTER AREA
WALK DATE
WALK
PAGE
MODERATE
CENTRAL REGION
35
45
June 12
June 19
ROGERS PASS
LEWIS & CLARK PASS
54
59
BIG LOG TO HUNTER GULCH SHUTTLE
BLACK MOUNTAIN
KADING CABIN RIDGE
34
49
50
MCCLELLAN CREEK HEADWATERS
SLEEPING GIANT
SLEEPING GIANT
SAWMILL FLATS TO NORWEGIAN GULCH
NEVADA MOUNTAIN
38
44
46
57
70
MISSOURI RIVER CANYON
HANGING VALLEY
FAIRVIEW MOUNTAIN
MOUNT EDITH
45
58
59
60
MODERATELY STRENUOUS
3
28
30
May 7
June 11
June 11
STRENUOUS
42
11
20
24
42
66
46
May 21
June 4
June 5
June 18
July 10
45
35
EXTREMELY STRENUOUS
23
44
46
47
Lincoln •
20, 24
23
3
66
44
June 5
June 19
June 23
June 24
• Helena
28
Deer Lodge
•
30
47
11
• Townsend
Online registration
details on page 2.
26
27
MADISON-GALLATIN
CHAPTER AREA
WALK DATE
WALK
PAGE
EASY
SOUTH-CENTRAL REGION
22
June 4
GPS TRAINING 101
45
EMIGRANT GULCH HIKE
SPECIMEN CREEK
DAILEY CREEK TO TEEPEE CREEK
CRAZY MOUNTAINS BACKPACK
54
58
61
82
PIONEER FALLS
WINDY PASS
SUNLIGHT MEADOW
52
66
71
PARADISE VALLEY GEOLOGY
LEMONDROP MOUNTAIN
THE MUMMY
CRATER LAKE
FAN MOUNTAIN
77
79
81
83
88
HYALITE PEAK
89
MODERATE
36
43
50
86
86
June 12
June 18
June 25
Aug. 6 – 7
MODERATELY STRENUOUS
33
57
67
June 11
July 2
July 15
Bozeman •
22
77
77
81
85
89
96
85, 98
33
Ennis •
89
96
36
81
57
67
50
STRENUOUS
• Gardiner
EXTREMELY STRENUOUS
98
43
July 23
July 24
Aug. 6
Aug. 13
Aug. 20
Aug. 27
Online registration
details on page 2.
28
29
EASTERN WILDLANDS
CHAPTER AREA
WALK DATE
WALK
PAGE
EASY
EASTERN REGION
2
21
May 7
June 4
POMPEYS PILLAR
PALISADES TRAIL
33
44
MODERATE
1
95
Online registration
details on page 2.
9
51
94
52
95
• Glasgow
106
72
May 7
May 21
June 25
June 25
Aug. 20
Sept. 18
TONGUE RIVER BREAKS
CASTLE BUTTE
MUSSELSHELL BREAKS
BEAR CANYON
BITTER CREEK WILDERNESS STUDY AREA
TERRY BADLANDS & NATURAL BRIDGES
33
37
62
62
88
94
69
MODERATELY STRENUOUS
69
72
Glendive •
51
106
80
94
103
July 16
July 17
July 23
Aug. 19
Sept. 17
SAND ARROYO
BURNT LODGE WILDERNESS STUDY AREA
BEARTOOTH LAKE
ROCK CREEK
UPPER LAYOUT CREEK
72
74
79
86
92
• Miles City
9
2
• Billings
1
21
52 103
80
30
31
1
Saturday, May 7
TONGUE RIVER BREAKS
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Birney
Custer Gallatin National Forest
5 to 6 miles, 400 ft
Moderate
8:00 a.m. at the Northern Plains Resource Council parking lot
(220 S. 27th St) in Billings or 10:30 a.m. at Tongue River Bridge
(Hwy 39) east turnout
Larry Winslow and Terry Punt
Explore the multi-colored sandstone cliffs and pine-studded buttes of the Tongue River Valley.
Birney-area ranchers Terry Punt and Jeanie Alderson will accompany the group and talk about
what they and the Northern Plains Resource Council have done to protect this landscape, as
well as the agricultural values in the Tongue River Valley.
2
Saturday, May 7
POMPEYS PILLAR
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Billings
Bureau of Land Management
3 to 4 miles, 200 ft
Easy
8:15 a.m. at RiverStone Health south-end parking lot
(23 South 27th Street) in Billings
Roger Otstot and Rita Harding
Cole Janssen
With Captain William Clark’s signature sketched on a sandstone formation, Pompeys Pillar
National Monument is known as the site of the only visible evidence of the Lewis and Clark
Expedition. This historic area also hosts an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) that
most visitors do not see. A Bureau of Land Management Ranger who is an authority on the
ACEC, as well as the Pillar’s history, will accompany us. We will see panoramic views of the
Yellowstone Valley and hopefully a variety of local wildlife. Pompeys Pillar is a testament to
the important collaboration efforts between public land agencies, such as the BLM, and other
conservation organizations, such as the Montana Wilderness Association.
32
33
3
Saturday, May 7
Saturday, May 14
BIG LOG TO HUNTER GULCH SHUTTLE
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
5
Helena
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
7 miles, 1,200 ft
Moderately Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Murdoch’s east end parking lot (3050 N Montana Ave)
in Helena
Andy Kukolax and Bill FitzGerald
This is a great opportunity to take advantage of a shuttle to explore the Gates of the
Mountains Wilderness. From a deep cave-filled canyon to open rolling sagebrush hillsides,
we will have splendid views all the way as we slowly gain elevation. Come visit the home
of elk, turkey vultures, and the elusive, iridescent green and watermelon-colored Lewis
Woodpecker. As carpets of wildflowers will certainly be aglow, we will keep an easy pace
so as to savor the beauty.
FLAGSTAFF FLORA
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
4.4 miles, 1,425 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at the Kootenai National Forest Supervisors Office
(31374 Highway 2) in Libby
Brian Baxter and Jon Reny
Historic Flagstaff Mountain, named for the flag that flew from the rocky summit during World
War I, is situated at 6,075 feet and provides magnificent vistas of the Cabinet Mountain
Wilderness and the Kootenai River Canyon. Enjoy this spring wildflower walk with field
botanist Jon Reny as we study the flora that can be found in open grassy parks along the
route. There is potential to view bighorn sheep, bear, deer, and songbirds.
6
4
Saturday, May 14
Saturday, May 7
HUMBUG SPIRES
PLEASANT VALLEY BIRDING
Register for this walk on the Butte-Beaverhead area map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Kila
Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
3 miles, >600 Ft
Easy
9:00 a.m. at Kila Pub (4220 Hwy 2 West) in Kila
Brian Baxter and Greta Sauer
Join us for a day of birding as we focus on winged predators that patrol some of the best
habitat in northwestern Montana! We will visit at least two field sites of different optimal
habitats and connectivity that both support a wide diversity of winged wildlife and other
creatures. Binoculars, spotting scopes, and bird books will come in handy as we study
lakeshores, wetlands, rocky outcrops, timbered edge effects, grassy hills, and the skies for
birds of prey, waterfowl, marsh birds, songbirds, nests, and other wildlife.
34
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Divide
Bureau of Land Management
6 to 6.5 miles, 1,100 ft
Moderately Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at the Moose Creek I-15 exit 30 miles south of Butte
Jack Kirkley and Brenda Kirkley
This nice, low-elevation springtime hike will be a good warm-up for our hiking legs. This
well-maintained trail varies in steepness, so hikers should expect some “huff-and-puff”
sections as well as mellow stretches. The gorgeous vertical granite formations and creekside
willow and aspen stands sustain a variety of birds and other wildlife. The leader visits this
area yearly as part of his long-term study of northern goshawks, about which he will share a
few stories. Rain gear is a must, as we will be at least an hour’s walk from our vehicles and
hypothermia from an abrupt storm could pose a risk.
35
7
Sunday, May 15
THE MOST EXPLOSIVE VOLCANO IN THE WORLD
Register for this walk on the Butte-Beaverhead area map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADER
Dillon
Bureau of Land Management
4 miles, 1,000 ft
Moderate
8:00 a.m. at the University of Montana Western parking lot
(Poindexter St) in Dillon
Rob Thomas
Tracy McGiffin
The Yellowstone caldera is the world’s most explosive volcano. Over the last 16.5 million
years, this stationary volcanic hot spot has moved relatively northeastward as the Pacific
Plate moved to the southwest at an average rate of a couple of centimeters per year. As the
plate moved over the hot spot, a record of its volcanic past was preserved in paleo-river
drainages now exposed in the Sweetwater Range east of Dillon. We will walk through these
deposits, culminating on the summit of Timber Hill, which was formed by a post-caldera lava
flow derived from southeastern Idaho.
8
Sunday, May 15
COLLAR PEAK
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Lewistown
Bureau of Land Management
6 miles, 750 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at the junction of Hwy 191 and Maiden Gulch Rd,
10 miles north of Lewistown
Laurie Lohrer and Dave Mari
9
Saturday, May 21
CASTLE BUTTE
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
This well-maintained trail leads us into a backcountry area with mix of terrain, solitude and
gorgeous views. We will have lunch at the summit of Collar Peak, an open summit with
panoramic views of the Little Belts, Bear Paws, Big Snowies and plains of eastern Montana.
As we continue to complete the loop, we may see elk, bear, eagles or other wildlife. The
Judith Mountains have a rich history, complete with ghost towns and abandoned gold mines,
once operated in the 1880s. Portions of the Judiths are currently under consideration by
Bureau of Land Management to be managed as an “area with wilderness characteristics.”
Dick Anderson Construction supports the work of Montana
Wilderness Association because we’re part of a community
that loves the outdoors and champions wild places.
www.daconstruction.com
36
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Billings
Bureau of Land Management
2 to 3 miles, 200 ft
Moderate
8:00 a.m. at Bureau of Land Management State Office
(5001 Southgate Drive) in Billings
Bethany Schatzke and Jennifer Alexander
Castle Butte is a hidden gem in eastern Montana. We will hike to the top of this beautiful
butte and enjoy sweeping views of surrounding prairie wildlands. The hike is a great
combination of natural and cultural history and should allow us to experience petroglyphs,
wildflowers, birds, and great views. Bring lunch and water, and wear closed-toe shoes.
37
10
Saturday, May 21
Sunday, May 22
KOOTENAI COUNTRY BIRDING
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
12
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
3 miles, 500 ft
Easy
9:00 a.m. at Venture Inn (443 U.S. Hwy 2 W) in Libby
Brian Baxter and Amy Robinson
TIMBER CREEK
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADER
Spring birding in Kootenai country can be an amazing experience during the migration season!
Share a day with fellow birdwatchers, outdoor enthusiasts, and field ornithologist Brian
Baxter as we explore some of the best birding spots in northwest Montana. With over 200
species present in the area, we will have a good chance to spot birds of prey, woodpeckers,
songbirds, waterfowl, and nesting sites on this tour. Please bring binoculars, a bird book,
spotting scopes, and lunch.
11
Saturday, May 21
MCCLELLAN CREEK HEADWATERS
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Montana City
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
7.5 to 8 miles, 1,200 ft
Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Willard Creek Trailhead (499 Warm Springs Creek Rd)
in Clancy
Nick Clarke and Kaelyn Clarke
The south side of the Snowy Mountains offers a more primitive and less-traveled wilderness
experience. We will stroll up the West Fork of Timber Creek on an old abandoned logging road
before following a faint game trail into old growth timber. During lunch we will have
outstanding views of the eastern Montana plains, the Crazies, and other distant mountain
ranges. Then we will wander down the East Fork, where we saw a cinnamon black bear on
the hike last year.
13
Saturday, May 28
SUN CANYON KIDS’ HIKE
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Join us for this enjoyable hike into the unique and important Elkhorn Wildlife Management
Unit. We will begin by following Willard Creek to its confluence with McClellan Creek, an
area that provides a fascinating look into the 1988 Warm Springs Fire ecology. The hike
continues along McClellan Creek to its headwaters in the northern portion of the roadless
core of the Elkhorn Mountain Range. Please bring a lunch, water, and layered clothing.
38
Lewistown
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
5 to 6 miles, 1,000 ft
Moderately Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Albertsons parking lot (117 W Janeaux S)
in Lewistown or 9:30 a.m. at Judith Gap Mercantile in Judith Gap
Tim Faber
Augusta
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
3.5 miles, 200 ft
Easy
9:00 a.m. at hike leaders’s house (2 Legion Street) in Augusta
Len Kopec and Deva McKnight
We will follow an easy trail into the scenic Sun River Canyon to some interesting pictographs
and dozens of red ochre handprints left on the canyon wall long ago. On the return trip we will
travel through cottonwoods along the Sun River, learn a few plants, look for wildlife signs,
and enjoy the scenery. After returning to the vehicles, there will be an option to extend the
hike into Wagner Basin, where we will see more pictographs, look for bighorn sheep, and
see some old beaver dams and lodges.
39
14
FOCUS AREA
Tuesday, May 31
COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN EVENING
WILDFLOWER WALK
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Columbia Falls
Flathead National Forest
3 miles, 900 ft
Moderate
6:00 p.m. at the Columbia Mountain Trailhead
Ellen Horowitz and Grete Gansauer
Join us for an evening full of wildflowers! From showy larkspurs to diminutive miterworts, the
Columbia Mountain Trail is a flower-lover’s paradise. We will walk at an easy pace and make
lots of stops to view flowers growing in shady, sunny and wet habitats.
NORTHWESTERN MONTANA
15
Scotchman Peaks Sandy Compton
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
Saturday, June 4
HANNAN GULCH
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Augusta
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
2 miles, 600 ft
Easy
8:00 a.m. at Paris Gibson Square (1400 1st Ave N) in Great Falls
Dan Bennett and Dave Shea
We will start our hike at the Hannan Gulch Bridge, and then walk a little way along the
Sun River. We will continue to hike uphill to a saddle and a little farther up onto a hogback.
From there we will view upper Hannan Gulch, the backside of Castle Reef, Sun River Canyon,
French Gulch and Norwegian Gulch. The trail will then take us through a Douglas-Fir forest
to a historic Forest Service cabin, and after our visit there we will start hiking back down.
Montana Wilderness Association aims to protect crucial watersheds and
exceptional habitat for wild animals such as wolverines, moose, lynx, and mountain
goats. We are committed to preserving wilderness and wildlands for wildlife, quiet
recreation and future generations. In northwestern Montana we identified important
and significant wild areas in order to safeguard our majestic mountain vistas, clean
water, and wildlife habitat, not only for the citizens of Montana, but for the nation.
Stretching from the wolverine habitat and mountain goat herd of the Swan to
the the rich grizzly country in the Yaak, we seek permanent protection, including
wilderness additions, for these six remaining wild areas:
• Cabinet Mountain
area
Peaks
• Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area
• Whitefish Range
• Wild Swan Range
• Yaak Valley wildlands
• Scotchman
We achieve our goals by working together and building community based solutions
that are good for the land and good for our communities. When we create broad,
diverse public support for conservation, our wildlands, our wildlife, and our
communities win.
For more information or to get involved contact Amy Robinson at
406-284-1747 or [email protected].
40
41
16
Saturday, June 4
Saturday, June 4
SOUTH FORK LOLO CREEK
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
18
Lolo
Lolo National Forest
6 miles, 1,600 ft
Moderate
8:15 a.m. at Lolo Community Center (12345 US-93) in Lolo
Steve Seninger and Daphne Herling
Join us for a hike into the proposed South Fork Lolo Creek Wilderness addition on the northern
end of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. This hike begins with a gentle streamside ascent
along the beautiful and wild South Fork of Lolo Creek. After a short distance we will begin a
steep climb along switchbacks through open, old clear-cut terrain that offers fabulous views
of the surrounding country and the Grave Creek range to the northwest. We will then enter
the forest and come to a rock overlook of the creek with a view toward the upper reaches of
Lantern Ridge and Bass Peak. If folks agree, we will have two different pace groups—a faster
group and a slower group for folks who wish to smell the roses (or wildflowers) along the way.
Xplorer Maps is proud to support this walk.
Xplorer Maps supports the work of Montana Wilderness
Association because we’re part of a community
that loves the outdoors and champions wild places.
www.xplorermaps.com
17
LEIGH LAKE YOGA HIKE
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Join us for a beautiful hike to Leigh Lake where we’ll do yoga, breathe in nature, and fully
experience the wildness of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness. The hike to Leigh Lake is short
and very rewarding but quite steep. We will start the morning with a steady climb through
forests and before long we will break into rocky terrain with fairly open hillsides. If we are
lucky we will spot some mountain goats along the trail. Our yoga practice will be at the shores
of the second largest lake in the Cabinets and below Snowshoe Peak, the largest peak in the
Cabinet Mountain Wilderness. Please bring yoga and hiking gear as well as a lunch and
plenty of water.
19
Saturday, June 4
LOST RIVER
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
Saturday, June 4
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
FUNGI AND FOREST HEALTH
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
MEETING TIME/PLACE
DIFFICULTY
LEADERS
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Little Joe
Kootenai National Forest
3 miles, 300 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Bull River Road HWY 56 and
South Fork Bull River Road Rd. # 410, 17 miles south of Troy
Brian Baxter and Amy Robinson
Join us for a day of mushroom identification and field study of forest fungi, diseases, and
insect pests. We will visit several field sites to observe and identify some of the more
commonly occurring pathogens that attack our local coniferous and deciduous tree species.
We will be identifying some edible mushroom species, but emphasize that the ingestion of
edible mushrooms is an individual’s choice and ultimate identification is their responsibility.
Bring lunch, water, and good hiking boots.
42
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
3 miles, 1,050 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at Town Pump (1315 Minnesota Ave) in Libby
Danielle Spillman and Ashley South
Hingham
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
5 miles, 300 ft
Moderately Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Hi-Way Bar Parking Lot (Highway 2) in Hingham
Jim Bennett and Scott Hemmer
Lost River is a new wildlife management area on the Canadian border that was created
primarily to conserve and enhance riparian habitats and wildlife populations along the
Milk River. We will cross the river to explore some of the scenic breaks country on the north
side of the valley, where many historic and archaeological sites are located, and with a little
luck, we should see wildlife too. Joining the group will be Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
biologist Scott Hemmer, who will talk about the wildlife in the refuge. Expect great views
of the Sweet Grass Hills and Bear Paw Mountains. Bring boots, water-shoes, lunch, and
plenty of water.
43
20
Saturday, June 4
Saturday, June 4
SLEEPING GIANT
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
22
Helena
Bureau of Land Management, Private Property
8 miles, 2,200 ft
Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Gates of the Mountains exhibit area, I-15 exit 209,
20 miles north of Helena
Wayne Chamberlin and Peter VanHorn
Join us on a classic Helena-area hike to this well-known landmark. This rugged perch lying
within the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area was included in a “Crown Jewel” list of
wilderness recommendations sent to Congress by the Bureau of Land Management. Our trek
takes us through open grassland, dry forest, and scree slopes to the summit of the Giant’s
Nose, where we will be rewarded with superlative views of the Missouri River, the Gates of
the Mountains, and other west-central Montana mountain ranges. Along the way we will
discuss the area’s outstanding scenic, historic, and habitat values. Thanks to access granted
by an adjacent landholder, this is a short but strenuous hike that gains over 2,000 feet in
elevation and involves some non-technical scrambling and exposure to reach the summit.
Bring a lunch, plenty of water, and layered clothing. Must not be afraid of heights!
GPS TRAINING 101
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Have a GPS or Smartphone with GPS capability, but not sure how it all works or why you
might really want to use it in the backcountry? Then this is the outing for you! An entertaining
and instructive presentation will be given in the morning, and in the afternoon we will travel
to Hyalite Canyon for an in-field opportunity to put your new skills to work. Join us for this
educational, fun, and practical experience all rolled into one.
23
Sunday, June 5
MISSOURI RIVER CANYON
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
21
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
Saturday, June 4
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
PALISADES TRAIL
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LEADERS
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Red Lodge
Custer Gallatin National Forest
5 miles, none
Easy
10:00 a.m. at Beartooth Ranger Station (6811 Hwy 212)
south of Red Lodge
Bernard Rose and Marge McArthur
Join us on a hike, great for both adults and kids, along one of the newest trails in the
Beartooth Mountains. The trail winds around the base of the Palisades in gently rolling
country with great views to the north and east. On a beautiful day the wildflowers are
typically out. Bring a rain jacket and be prepared for any kind of weather. Bring a lunch
and water.
44
Bozeman
Custer Gallatin National Forest
3 miles, 300 ft
Easy
9:30 a.m. at The Hotel Baxter lobby (105 W Main St) in Bozeman
Roger Jenkins and Bob Bayley
York
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
9 miles, 2,400 ft
Extremely Strenuous
7:00 a.m. at the York parking lot across York Bar (7500 York Rd)
in York
Bob Bukantis and Anne Anglim
Join us for this beautiful hike into the Missouri River Canyon in the Big Belt Mountains.
We will enjoy near nonstop views as we hike through proposed additions to the Gates of the
Mountains Wilderness and a portion of the current designated Wilderness. This promises to
be a great wildflower hike, with good possibilities to see bluebirds, raptors, and other
wildlife. From the trailhead we will cross a ridge and then descend to the banks of Holter
Reservoir and hike along the shore of the Missouri River to Coulter Campground, where we
will then turn back. Bring water, rain gear, lunch, and snacks. In order to access our starting
point we will need a few participants to provide high-clearance vehicles.
The Base Camp is proud to support this walk.
The Base Camp supports the work of Montana Wilderness
Association because we’re part of a community
that loves the outdoors and champions wild places.
www.thebasecamp.com
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24
Sunday, June 5
SLEEPING GIANT
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Helena
Bureau of Land Management
8 miles, 2,000 ft
Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Gates of the Mountains exhibit area, I-15 exit 209,
20 miles north of Helena
Tom Kreissler and Joe Naiman-Sessions
Join us on a classic Helena-area hike to this well-known landmark. This rugged perch lying
within the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area was included in a “Crown Jewel” list of
wilderness recommendations sent to Congress by the Bureau of Land Management. Our trek
takes us through open grassland, dry forest, and scree slopes to the summit of the Giant’s
Nose, where we will be rewarded with superlative views of the Missouri River, the Gates of
the Mountains, and other west-central Montana mountain ranges. Along the way we will
discuss the area’s outstanding scenic, historic, and habitat values. Thanks to access granted
by an adjacent landholder, this is a short but strenuous hike that gains over 2,000 feet in
elevation and involves some non-technical scrambling and exposure to reach the summit.
Bring a lunch, plenty of water, and layered clothing. Must not be afraid of heights!
25
Monday, June 6
BLACKTAIL TRAIL #997
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Noxon
Kootenai National Forest
11 miles, 4,000 ft
Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at milepost 8, MT Hwy 200, 40 miles west of
Thompson Falls
Sandy Compton and Golden Caninee
Kerry Neils
Explore Blacktail Creek and environs in the Scotchman Peaks Proposed Wilderness from
Trail #997. This is most likely an out-and-back, but could turn into an open loop with a
return via Star Peak and Trail #999.
Cosponsored by Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.
Approaching the Sleeping Giant
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26
EAST BUTTE SWEET GRASS HILLS
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
27
Saturday, June 11
Saturday, June 11
Chester
Bureau of Land Management
7.5 miles, 3,100 ft
Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at the Skari Ranch (Whitlash Rd) 16 miles northwest
of Chester
Patrick Johnson and Arlo Skari
From the top of East Butte, you will view the vast Northern Plains: the Bear Paws, Highwoods,
and other Island Ranges, the Rocky Mountain Front, and southern Alberta, including Writingon-the-Stone Provincial Park. We will cross two mountain streams, identify flowers, inspect a
limestone cave of great significance to Native Americans and listen to an expert describe all
aspects of the Sweet Grass Hills. The leaders will discuss the history and the threat of heapleach gold mining. A 20-year moratorium on mining is currently protecting habitat for moose,
elk, deer, golden eagles, and sacred sites of the Northern Plains tribes. Bring plenty of water
and rain gear.
D.A. Davidson & Co. is proud to support this walk.
D.A. Davidson & Co. supports the work of
Montana Wilderness Association because
we’re part of a community that loves the
outdoors and champions wild places.
www.davidsoncompanies.com
HALL CREEK
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
East Glacier Park
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
6 to 7 miles, 500 ft
Moderate
8:00 a.m. at Two Medicine Grill (314 US-2) in East Glacier
or 9:00 a.m. if you do not want breakfast
Casey Perkins and Kendall Flint
This hike enters the stunning Badger-Two Medicine wildlands from the entrance to the Rising
Wolf Guest Ranch, west of East Glacier Park. We will follow trails from the South Fork of the
Two Medicine River to historic Hall Creek. After paralleling Hall Creek along an overlooking
ridge, we will drop down and ford the creek to access the proposed Hall Creek oil well site.
This wild landscape includes mixed forest, open meadows, and rugged river canyon. Natural
beauty, native plant and wildlife habitat, Blackfeet cultural history, panoramic views of Glacier
National Park and the Badger-Two Medicine, and stories galore await hikers on this special
trip. These delights will be contrasted with fading scars of prior ATV use and potential for oil
and gas development of this area. Previous hikers here have been rewarded with grizzly tracks
and views of distant grazing grizzly bear.
28
Saturday, June 11
BLACK MOUNTAIN
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
Western Meadowlark Elaine Kennedy
MEETING TIME/PLACE
48
LEADERS
Helena
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
5 miles, 1,000 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at Ben Franklin parking lot (220 S. 27th St) in Helena
Doug Powell and Sonia Powell
Explore the serene Black Mountain Proposed Wilderness Area! The area is located west of
the Mount Helena Ridge Trail and has been under wilderness consideration since the late
1970s. From Ten Mile Creek on the east slope of the Continental Divide to the trails of
Helena’s south hills, Black Mountain sustains habitat for elk, mountain lion, bear, bobcat, and
wolf. We will search for sensitive native plant species and observe and discuss ecological
changes occurring on the forest in this wild and diverse landscape.
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29
Saturday, June 11
Saturday, June 11
GRANITE LAKE LADIES HIKE
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
31
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
12 miles, 1,400 ft
Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at the Granite Creek trailhead #136, 10 miles south
of Libby
Ashley South and Grete Gansauer
Granite Creek is a steep-walled, narrow valley with a classic, glacial u-shape. Along the hike
we will get a glimpse at the only remaining alpine glacier in the Cabinets, Blackwell Glacier,
that clings to Snowshoe Peak the highest peak in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness. Not far
inside the wilderness boundary is a 10-foot high waterfall with a deep, emerald-blue pool
below. When we get to Granite Lake, we can spot one of the largest cascading waterfalls in
the Rockies, flowing directly from Blackwell Glacier. Along the trail we will also see two of
the largest Douglas firs in Montana. The summit of Snowshoe Peak is visible from the north
end of the lake, but the buttress of A Peak is the grandest spectacle of all.
BULL RIVER FIRES
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Troy
Kootenai National Forest
3 miles, 300 ft
Easy
9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Bull River Road Hwy 56 and
South Fork Bull River Road Rd. # 410, 17 miles south of Troy
Brian Baxter and Amy Robinson
Discover the intense power of forest fires as we explore and study some of the fire locations
of 2015! We will visit a few different places and discuss the weather and forest fuel loads
that contributed to ignitions. Experienced fire specialists will hike with us and examine the
hot and ‘dirty’ burns, fire-fighting strategy, results of tactics, post-fire treatment plans,
reforestation plans, and effects on wildlife populations. Bring water, lunch, and hiking boots.
32
Saturday, June 11
FRENCHIES GULCH
30
Saturday, June 11
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
KADING CABIN RIDGE
LOCATION
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Helena
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
6 miles, 1,400 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at Ben Franklin parking lot (220 S. 27th St) in Helena
Bill Hallinan and Marita Martiniak
This hike offers amazing views of valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows, and barren ridges
mixed with streams, rivers, and lakes. We will follow the trail up past Kading Cabin to the
ridge above the Little Blackfoot River, where we will see the lay of the land—open, rolling
ridge tops and the Little Blackfoot watershed. We will continue to walk along the ridge, out to
a high point, and then descend along off-and-on trail routes back to the cabin.
50
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADER
Geyser
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
5 miles, 1,000 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at 4B’s in (4610 10th Ave S) in Great Falls or 9:30 a.m.
at Armington Junction outside of Belt
Joshua Werkheiser
We will follow an old route in the Granite Roadless Area, an area now closed to motorized
vehicles, that follows a creek bottom through a mix of rock outcroppings, dense timber, and
open meadows. If there’s interest, the group has the option of taking a longer hike up the
ridge toward Taylor Peak for more expansive views. This remote, little-known roadless area,
has retained its wilderness characteristics, providing opportunities for a primitive recreation
experience. With a little luck we might just see deer, elk, or even black bear.
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33
Saturday, June 11
FOCUS AREA
PIONEER FALLS
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Gallatin Gateway
Custer Gallatin National Forest
6 miles, 600 ft
Moderately Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Museum of the Rockies (600 W Kagy Blvd) in Bozeman
Roxanna McLaughlin and Bill McLaughlin
34
Saturday, June 11
RYE CREEK ROAD RESTORATION
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Darby
Bitterroot National Forest
4 miles, 400 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at the junction of US93 and MT Hwy 38, 3 miles south
of Hamilton
Tim Peterson and Kirk Thompson
Join a road restoration contractor and a retired Forest Service road engineer to look at recent
road storage and decommissioning work on the Darby Lumber Lands in Rye Creek. We will
observe and discuss a variety of techniques and objectives of the project, and examine the
results in a heavily roaded and logged area. If time permits, we will also look at a nearby road
that was obliterated about 10 years ago, and observe natural re-vegetation. Bring good hiking
shoes, lunch and water.
GALLATIN RANGE
Gallatin Crest John Todd
If the wildflowers do not tempt you, the views will! From the trailhead we will follow the
South Fork of Spanish Creek into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness across a series of meadows and
forest to the switchbacks that lead up to the falls. Many who begin with this hike return to
spend a couple days or more exploring this amazing backcountry.
Home to grizzly bears, wolverines, elk, and other iconic species, the Gallatin
Range is the largest unprotected landscape within the Greater Yellowstone
Ecosystem. A long ridge of high snowy peaks flanked by deep drainages, the
Gallatin Range is a critical corridor linking America’s first national park to
adjacent wildlands along the Continental Divide. With ten peaks topping out
at more than 10,000 feet, this high alpine range is a mecca for recreationists.
As Montanans, it is our responsibility to maintain blue-ribbon trout streams,
safeguard open space, and protect a clean supply of drinking water for
communities. Protecting the Gallatin Range would do just that. That’s why
Montana Wilderness Association is working with sportsmen and women,
business owners, and recreationists of all stripes to build community-wide
support to keep the wild Gallatin Range as it is today for future generations.
For more information or to get involved, contact Sally Cathey at
406-404-1000 or [email protected].
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35
ROGERS PASS
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
37
Sunday, June 12
Sunday, June 12
Lincoln
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
5 miles, 800 ft
Moderate
8:00 a.m. at Ben Franklin parking lot (220 S. 27th St) in Helena
or 10:30 a.m. at the trailhead 11 miles from Lincoln
Maryalice Chester and Art Butler
Come along for a hike north from Rogers Pass on the Continental Divide Trail to a high point
overlooking Cadotte Pass with views of the Scapegoat Wilderness and Silver King Mountain.
Wildflowers are sure to be abundant and colorful as the trail goes from forest to open slopes
and back again. There are some steep areas. It is nearly always windy, and squalls are
common in June, so bring rain gear and warm layers, lunch, and plenty of water.
FAMILY WILDFLOWER WALK
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Children and adults are invited on this fun, educational hike to the saddle of Mt. Jumbo,
home of the rare cushion plant community. We will take a leisurely stroll to the saddle and
stop to look at many species of beautiful native wildflowers along the way; we may even
see bitterroots in bloom. Those who want to continue will climb to the top of Mt. Jumbo for
spectacular views of the Missoula valley and beyond.
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Wednesday, June 15
36
SUNDAY MOUNTAIN
Sunday, June 12
EMIGRANT GULCH
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Emigrant
Custer Gallatin National Forest
5 miles, 1,000 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at Chico Hot Springs Resort (163 Chico Rd) in Pray
Erica Lighthiser and Michelle Uberuaga Zanoni
Come explore the historically significant Emigrant Gulch and learn more about the
controversial aspirations of Lucky Minerals Inc. to build a large-scale gold mine near the
border of Yellowstone National Park. Emigrant Creek is a rugged, backcountry landscape that
is slowly recovering from over 100 years of historical mining activity. It is a tributary of the
Yellowstone River, just up the drainage from the historic Chico Hot Springs Resort and
adjacent to the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. This program includes part road tour with
short hikes to optimum observation points. Leaders will be evaluating the wilderness
character along the journey. Come dressed appropriately and bring lunch, water, snacks, and a
bathing suit and towel for a post-hike soak at Chico Hot Springs. Children are welcome with
adult supervision. Four-wheel drive vehicles recommended, and full gas tanks required.
54
Missoula
Missoula Parks and Recreation
2.5 to 5 miles, 1,000 ft
Moderate
1:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Hills trailhead in Missoula
Elena Ulev and Seth Barnes
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Seeley Lake
Lolo National Forest
6 miles, 1,970 ft
Strenuous
8:45 a.m. at Grizzly Claw (3187 MT-83) in Seeley Lake
Lee Boman and Gene Schade
Views of the Mission and Swan Mountains begin at the trailhead and intensify as the hike
progresses. We will be rewarded with impressive views of avalanche chutes on the Swan
Front and Clearwater Lake, which is the beginning of the Clearwater River. We will take one
of our breaks in a spot that often has abundant huckleberries and killer views. After that break
we follow a trail that leads directly up the Swan Front. Wildflowers will offer constant
excuses to pause and catch our breath. It may be one of the steepest climbs you’ve made, but
once we reach the crest of the Swan Range, the views of the Bob Marshall Wilderness will
erase any bad memories of the strenuous climb.
Trail 103.3 is proud to support this walk.
A musical trail well traveled, The Trail 103.3 is proud
to support the Montana Wilderness Association, an
integral part of our outdoor, adventure-loving community!
www.trail1033.com
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39
Saturday, June 18
Saturday, June 18
MACLAY FLATS EXPLORATION
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Missoula
Lolo National Forest
1.5 miles, none
Easy
10:00 a.m. at MaClay Flat Nature Trail on Blue Mountain Road
west of Missoula
Lori Alrawi and Mary Langenderfer
Summer is in the air, so get outside and enjoy a lively hike along the trail to the Bitterroot
River. We will explore the surroundings on a scavenger hunt and document our findings in
a nature journal. This hike is not about the destination, but slowing down and noticing all
the little details that make nature diverse. At the end of the adventure be prepared to make
a little owl out of clay. This will be a fun adventure for younger kids 4 to 10 years old
(moms and dads are welcome too!)
40
Saturday, June 18
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Dupuyer
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
3 to 4 miles,
Easy
7:00 a.m. at Paris Gibson Square (1400 1st Ave N) in Great Falls
or 8:15 a.m. at Choteau Visitor Center in Choteau
Dan Bennett and Dave Shea
Join us on a leisurely wildflower stroll across the Old North Trail and grizzly country. The hike
will start at Johnson’s Crossing and wander across the prairie toward North Fork Canyon
with Walling Reef as our backdrop. Dave Shea, legendary naturalist and Glacier Park ranger,
will help with identification of wildflowers, wildlife species, and the outstanding geology of
the area. There is a chance of seeing more than 75 species of flowers, as well as ancient
teepee rings. In the event of high water we will divert to the nature trail on the southern
ridge of the valley.
56
LINCOLN COUNTY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
1 mile, > 200 ft
Easy
9:00 a.m. at the Kootenai National Forest Supervisors Office
(31374 Highway 2) in Libby
Brian Baxter and Amy Robinson
Come along to peek into a time capsule of Lincoln County History with local archaeologists!
We will take a road tour and several short hikes into colorful slices of the past, including
Native American “Indian trees” and the site of an early trading post established by fur trader
and explorer David Thompson. Additional sites may include historical logging camps, rock
ovens, and Native American vision quest sites. Please arrive with lunch, water, proper
footwear, and full gas tanks.
42
Saturday, June 18
NORTH FORK DUPUYER CREEK
LOCATION
41
SAWMILL FLATS TO NORWEGIAN GULCH
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Augusta
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
6 miles, 1,200 ft
Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at hike leaders’s house (2 Legion Street) in Augusta
Len Kopec and Deva McKnight
On this hike we follow an important elk migration corridor, now protected as a Conservation
Management Area by the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act. Starting at Sawmill Flats, a
steep climb through some open forest takes us to the top of Norwegian Gulch. After catching
our breath, we will follow a trail to a narrow saddle with a great view overlooking Home
Gulch, where elk pass through on their way to their winter range. We will return to the
Norwegian saddle, then follow a trail though a young forest and open slopes down to our
shuttle vehicles parked near the Sun River.
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43
Saturday, June 18
Sunday, June 19
SPECIMEN CREEK
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
45
Big Sky
National Park Service
4.2 miles, 240 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at Museum of the Rockies (600 W Kagy Blvd) in Bozeman
Roxanna McLaughlin and Bill McLaughlin
LEWIS & CLARK PASS
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Join us on a pleasant stroll through the rolling terrain of lodgepole forests and meadows
as we parallel Specimen Creek into the northwest section of Yellowstone National Park.
The terrain and forest are the pages on which we will read the diary of this area, from lava
flows and ancient forests to the present. Take this adventure with us and find out which hiker
will see the first bear sign or if we will be graced by the presence of a moose. This trip is
sure to delight.
44
Sunday, June 19
HANGING VALLEY
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
Lincoln
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
4 miles, 800 ft
Moderate
8:30 a.m. at Ben Franklin parking lot (220 S. 27th St) in Helena
or 10:30 a.m. at the trailhead 11 miles from Lincoln
Wilbur Rehmann and Larry Epstein
Celebrate Father’s Day with a lovely walk along this historic pass traveled by Meriwether
Lewis on his return trip from the Pacific Ocean. Along the route are traces of ancient travois
trail used by Native Americans and plenty of history of the Corps of Discovery. Captain Lewis
explored this area on July 7, 1806 and in his journal wrote of, “discovering that this was the
dividing ridge between the waters of the Columbia and those of the Missouri.” There will be
many wildflowers to identify, some of which were noted in Lewis’ journals.
46
Thursday, June 23
FAIRVIEW MOUNTAIN
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
York
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
12 miles, 2,800 ft
Extremely Strenuous
7:00 a.m. at Costco (2195 E Custer Ave) in Helena
Anne Anglim and Bob Bukantis
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
This challenging and rewarding hike is a Helena-area classic. It starts with a steady ascent
through a lush forest and then ascends switchbacks to stunning views of the Big Belt
Mountains. More switchbacks descend from the trail’s high point into a damp valley filled
with old Douglas Firs and framed by steep cliffs. The dry valley ends at a dramatic dry
waterfall overlook with a vista of towering limestone cliffs and spires seemingly transplanted
from Utah. Depending on conditions, a variety of orchids may be seen along the way.
58
Augusta
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
9 miles, 3,100 ft
Extremely Strenuous
6:30 a.m. at Paris Gibson Square (1400 1st Ave N) in Great Falls
Katie Kotynski and Tom Kotynski
Come discover the beauty of the Rocky Mountain Front by climbing Fairview Mountain.
This off-trail hike offers a series of waterfalls, terrific views, abundant wildflowers and
wild country. The exposed ridge provides a glorious walk through tall grasses and flowers
to a large saddle, perfect for a picnic lunch with views in all directions.
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47
Friday, June 24
Friday, June 24
MOUNT EDITH
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
49
Townsend
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
7.5 miles, 2,530 ft
Extremely Strenuous
7:00 a.m. Montana City Grill & Saloon (4 Mt Hwy 51)
in Montana City
Anne Anglim and Bob Bukantis
Join us on a walk to the highest point in the Big Belt Mountains (as well as Broadwater and
Meagher Counties). We will hope to see a dazzling array of early-season wildflowers, and
possibly mountain goats. The bulk of the hike is on trail, except for the last part that sweeps
across an alpine meadow. The 360-degree views from the summit are a sight to see. Bring
waterproof footwear and layered clothing.
48
Friday, June 24
TURQUOISE LAKE
TWO MEDICINE FIGHT SITE
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Cut Bank
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Private Landowner
4 miles, none
Moderate
10:00 a.m. at the City Park on the east edge of Cut Bank
Larry Epstein and Callie Epstein
Walk a wild stretch of prairie through river breaks and cottonwoods to the historic site where
Meriwether Lewis and his party encountered the Blackfeet. This is a great opportunity to learn
the events surrounding this significant Corps of Discovery conflict. We will also take a look at
some of the local plants identified by the expedition. Advance reading of the Lewis and Clark
journals is suggested.
Advanced Litho is proud to support this walk.
Advanced Litho supports the work of
Montana Wilderness Association because
we’re part of a community that loves the
outdoors and champions wild places.
www.advancedlithoprinting.com
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADER
Condon
Flathead National Forest
12 miles, 1,600 ft
Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at the Glacier Lake Trailhead off Hwy 83, 15 miles
south of Seeley Lake
Luke Lamar
50
Saturday, June 25
DAILEY CREEK TO TEEPEE CREEK
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
Hike with a former Mission Mountains Wilderness Ranger to Turquoise Lake, the most
beautiful hike in the Missions available on a maintained trail. Stunning views of mountains,
lakes, streams, snowfields, and glaciers will surround us. This area has great wildlife viewing
opportunities. We hope to see mountain goats on this adventure.
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Bozeman
Custer Gallatin National Forest
5.5 miles, 600 ft
Moderate
8:30 a.m. at Buffalo Jump Sports Bar & Grill back parking
(75770 Gallatin Rd) in Gallatin Gateway
Patti Steinmuller and Donna Murphrey
Beginning hikers, families, and others will enjoy this pleasant walk through sagebrush-filled
meadows with panoramic views of the Gallatin and Madison Mountain ranges. We will use a
short car shuttle to start our loop, which will allow us to begin at the Dailey Creek trailhead in
the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park and end at the Teepee Creek trailhead in
the adjacent Custer Gallatin National Forest. Teepee Creek is located within the Hyalite
Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area, an important roadless area between Bozeman
and Yellowstone National Park that has potential for wilderness designation. Bring water and
a lunch.
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Saturday, June 25
Saturday, June 25
MUSSELSHELL BREAKS
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
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Lewistown
Bureau of Land Management
4 to 5 miles, 300 ft
Moderate
8:30 a.m. at Albertsons parking lot (117 W Janeaux S) in Lewistown
Mike Chapman and Matt Comer
Dovetail Creek is part of the remote and rugged breaks country near the Musselshell River.
The landscape ranges from rolling hills to steep inclines and deep coulees with a mix of
grasslands, scattered ponderosa pines, and forested draws. It is easy to see why the Bureau
of Land Management identified this area as having wilderness characteristics. Guiding the
hike will be Matt Comer, a wildlife biologist from the Lewistown Field Office who will talk
about the wildlife values associated with the area and take the group to a location where a
prescribed burn was conducted several years ago.
PLEIN AIR ART DAY
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
1 mile, > 200 ft
Easy
9:00 a.m. at Venture Inn (443 U.S. Hwy 2 W) in Libby
Brian Baxter and Ashley South
Merge your artistic passion with nature! Come together with plein air artists into wild and
scenic settings and lay the groundwork for your next plein air piece. We will have local
experienced artists available to help coach you in a variety of mediums, including pen and ink,
charcoals, and watercolors. Participants should come prepared to pack their own art supplies
and easels a several hundred feet into field sites. Bring water, lunch, and good footwear.
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Saturday, June 25
BUFFALO LAKES
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Saturday, June 25
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
BEAR CANYON
LOCATION
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Bridger
Bureau of Land Management, Custer Gallatin National Forest
6 miles, >500 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at Bureau Of Land Management Office
(5001 Southgate Dr) in Billings
Charlie Smillie and John Bradley
Join us for a hike to Bear Canyon, which will include views of Wyoming, Beartooth
Mountains, and will also provide excellent bird-watching opportunities. This area is a unique
riparian ecosystem in the arid Pryor Mountains with running water in the spring and early
summer. Come enjoy this hidden gem of a canyon, sporting unique topography, rare and rich
habitat for many bird species, and a flavor of the Utah Canyonlands.
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
East Glacier Park
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
4 miles, 500 ft
Moderate
10:00 a.m. at Two-Medicine Grill (314 US-2) in East Glacier
Kendall Flint and Miki Flint
Join us on a journey to Buffalo Lake, a short distance into the Badger Two-Medicine. Along
the way there will be opportunities to stop and look back at Glacier National Park’s southern
mountains, check out wildflowers, and listen for birds. We will take lunch at the middle lake
and, if the group is up for it, we can take the lake trail to the upper lake and climb up on a low
ridge where we can get a better look at the Badger Two-Medicine. Although there is a gradual
elevation gain, we consider this hike ideal for families with children, beginning hikers, or
those just looking for an easy outing.
FairClaim Law Firm supports the work of
Montana Wilderness Association because
we’re part of a community that loves the
outdoors and champions wild places.
www.fairclaimlawyers.com
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Sunday, June 26
FOCUS AREA
MOUNT HENRY
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Yaak
Kootenai National Forest
4.5 miles, 2,000 ft
Moderately Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Yaak River Tavern & Mercantile (29238 Yaak River Rd)
in Yaak
Jessie Grossman and Ashley South
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Saturday, July 23
MOUNT HAGGIN
Register for this walk on the Butte-Beaverhead area map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Anaconda
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
10 miles, 3,550 ft
Extremely Strenuous
6:45 a.m. at the game-check station (MT Hwy 1) opposite the
lime quarry 5.5 miles west of Anaconda
Mark Phillip and Abbie Phillip
Starting on the backside of Garrity Hill, this hike is a loop that explores land east of the
existing Pintler Wilderness. The hike ascends through forest fire regrowth, mature forest with
Tamaracks, and an alpine meadow before climbing to the Mount Haggin summit. After a ridge
walk, the trail drops into the Lower Barker Lake drainage for a stroll past avalanche chutes,
tumbling streams, and abundant wildflowers. High clearance vehicles needed to access
the trail.
SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA
Lima Peaks Dee Linnell Blank
Hike to a historic lookout tower in the heart of the Yaak Valley and be treated to views of the
biologically diverse, rolling, roadless terrain that’s home to grizzlies, lynx, wolverine, elk,
moose, fisher, as well as countless other plants and animals.
Cosponsored by Yaak Valley Forest Council.
Famous for its elk, pristine waters, and rugged peaks, the mountains
of southwestern Montana act as a critical link between the Greater Yellowstone
Ecosystem and the Crown of the Continent. Referred to as the High Divide,
these mountain ranges straddle the Continental Divide and offer a critical corridor
for wildlife; they are also home to the headwaters of the Missouri River.
Many places within southwestern Montana need permanent protection. This is
why the Montana Wilderness Association is working with ranching communities,
local businesses, and sportspeople to build support to keep southwesern
Montana special.
The uniqueness of this area is also why community members are coming together
to develop a chapter in southwestern Montana.
If you are interested in learning more or becoming involved, contact
Sally Cathey at 406-404-1000 or [email protected].
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Saturday, July 2
Saturday, July 2
HUB LAKE
WINDY PASS
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Bozeman
Custer Gallatin National Forest
6 to 7 miles, 1,600 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at Bozeman Hot Springs (81123 Gallatin Rd) in
Gallatin Gateway
Ken Hapner and Ron Brekke
The trail to Windy Pass rises steadily through medium dense forests along cool bubbling
Portal creek. We will get above tree line as we hike and break out onto the Gallatin Ridge
with vast acres of open, high alpine meadows blanketed with beautiful mountain flowers.
We will have lunch at a Forest Service Cabin located just below the pass. The 360-degree
views are magnificent with The Sentinel to the north and Eaglehead Peak to the south.
From the pass we can look down onto Paradise Valley and spot the Yellowstone River.
Bring a flower book, camera, water, lunch, and snacks. Dress for the weather.
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
From giant old-growth cedars to beautiful sub-alpine lakes, this hike showcases the best of
the Great Burn. The trail traverses the Ward-Eagle Roadless Area, one of the jewels in the
“String of Pearls” wildlands that stretches between Lolo and Lookout Pass. We will delve
into the storied history of the Great Burn region and opportunities to keep it wild for future
generations.
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Thursday, July 7
58
THREE LAKES PEAK
Saturday, July 2
KLATAWA FIRE
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
St. Regis
Lolo National Forest
6 miles, 1,720 ft
Moderately Strenuous
9:30 a.m. at St. Regis Travel Center (55 Mullan Gulch Rd)
in St. Regis
Brennen Cain and Zack Porter
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
5 miles, 2,300 ft
Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Town Pump (1315 Minnesota Ave) in Libby
Jon Jeresek and Paul Leimbach
We will explore the Klatawa Fire that covered approximately 5,000 acres in northwest
Montana in 2015. The fire was allowed to play its natural ecological role with no direct
suppression from start (August 14) to end (October 20th.) The fire burned under a myriad of
conditions and fire intensities. A fire ecologist will explain the effects of the fire one year
later. Stunning views of the surrounding landscapes can be viewed from this ridgetop hike.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Ravalli
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead
3 miles, 1,500 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at Bison Inn Cafe (27330 US-93) in Ravalli
Bert Lindler and Steve Seninger
Join Germaine White and Pablo Espinoza from the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of
the Flathead for an enjoyable hike into tribal wildlands. This short hike leads into a roadless
area along the Reservation Divide, where views from the summit include the Cabinet
Mountains, Mission Mountains, Bitterroot Mountains, and Flathead Lake.
A tribal recreation permit must be purchased before the hike and is available in Missoula at
Bob Wards, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Regional Office, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Permits are also available in St. Ignatius at Cenex.
This hike is in honor of Bob Hopkins (1949-2016), a dedicated MWA volunteer and
wilderness advocate.
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Saturday, July 9
Saturday, July 9
LAKES BEHIND CRESCENT MOUNTAIN
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
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Seeley Lake
Lolo National Forest
10.4 miles, 2,800 ft
Extremely Strenuous
7:45 a.m. at Double Arrow lobby (301 Lodge Way) in Seeley Lake
Lee Boman and Gene Schade
GEIGER LAKES EXCURSION
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Lakes, potholes, rock formations, and views across the Bob Marshall Wilderness will be our
reward for taking this hike. We will climb the Swan Range from the west to Crescent Lake.
After an extended break at Crescent Lake, we will cross over to the east side of the Swan
Range and into the Bob. The lakes and rock formations behind Crescent Mountain will remain
in your memory forever. The Bob spreads east for as far as we will see. We’ll be looking down
the Marshall Creek drainage and be able to understand why Bob Marshall knew this country
had to be protected.
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Saturday, July 9
EAR MOUNTAIN OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA
& YEAGER FLATS
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Choteau
Bureau of Land Management
6 miles, 500 feet
Moderate
8:00 a.m. at Paris Gibson Square (1400 1st Ave N) in Great Falls
or 8:15 a.m. at Choteau Visitor Center in Choteau
Dan Bennett and Dave Shea
This hike passes through limber pine savannah, narrow-leafed cottonwood groves, sagebrush,
Douglas fir/Engelmann spruce forest, part of the lightning-caused Ear Mountain burn, and ends
up in a vast, high-elevation native fescue prairie near the base of Ear Mountain. In these varied
habitats grow a variety of shrubs, grasses, and forbs, including bitterroots and several orchid
species. Clark’s nutcracker, chickadees, and other birds are common, as well as prairie falcon
nests. This is good mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and black and grizzly bear country. Archaeology,
history, geology, wildlife, and management issues will be discussed. To conclude the trail drops
down through meadows and old-growth forest to an old Métis cemetery on the South Fork.
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
8 miles, 2,200 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at Kootenai National Forest Supervisors Office
(31374 Highway 2) in Libby
Brian Baxter and Amy Robinson
Experience the relative solitude of the Southern Cabinet Mountain Wilderness as we lunch
and fish in turquoise alpine lakes. This hike leaves options open for our small group such as
lower lake fishing for rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout, upper lake scenic views, and a
push up to Lost Buck Pass with stunning views towards both the east and west Cabinets.
Good potential for viewing mountain goats, bears, bighorn sheep, and birds of prey. Come
prepared for a full day hike with plenty of water, fishing gear, and lunch.
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Saturday, July 9
FIRE ECOLOGY FIELD TRIP
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Noxon
Kootenai National Forest
6 miles, > 200 ft
Moderate
11:00 a.m. at the intersection of Dry Creek Road #1118
and Montana Highway 56, Milepost 12
Philip Hough and Art Zack
Art Zack, retired Forest Service Fire Ecologist, will lead us on a field trip to look at areas in the
Scotchman Peaks that burned in 2015. We will look at the patterns of fire as it burned across
the landscape, what it left behind, how it impacted the landscape and habitats, and how they
responded. Exact locations will depend on spring assessments. This walk will emphasize
education rather than exercise, with some walking but lots of stops to look at and talk about
fire, its behavior, and impacts.
Cosponsored by Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.
Calumet Montana Refining supports the work of Montana
Wilderness Association because we’re part of a community
that loves the outdoors and champions wild places.
www.calumetspecialty.com
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Saturday, July 9 – Sunday, July 10
SAWTOOTH LAKE JAZZ BACKPACK
Register for this walk on the Butte-Beaverhead area map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Polaris
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
8 to 10 miles, 1,500 ft
Strenuous
9:15 a.m. at I-15 exit 59, 5 miles south of Dillon
Kim Wilson and Wilbur Rehman
This gradual uphill hike travels into a subalpine lake in the southern end of the East Pioneers.
The lake is very scenic and surrounded by 10,000-foot peaks with lots of good scrambling
opportunities. The co-leader, Wilbur Rehman, will serenade the group after dinner with
tunes from his saxophone while the sun sets.
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Sunday, July 10
NEVADA MOUNTAIN
Register for this walk on the Wild Divide Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Helena
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
8 miles, 2,000 ft
Strenuous
7:00 a.m. at Ben Franklin parking lot (220 S. 27th St) in Helena
Wayne Chamberlin and Gary Ingman
Explore the Nevada Mountain Roadless Area, one of the largest remaining roadless tracts in
the Helena National Forest. We will begin our hike at the Nevada Creek trailhead on the west
side of the Continental Divide and hike up along the riparian area. Worthy of wilderness
designation, it includes Black Mountain, Nevada Mountain and a long segment of the
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Wildlife here includes elk, lynx, wolves, migrating
grizzly bears and wolverines. With the expertise of Gary Ingman we will look for evidence of
bear activity in this important wildlife corridor. Be prepared for several stream crossings.
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Friday, July 15
SUNLIGHT MEADOW
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Emigrant
Custer Gallatin National Forest
6.5 miles, 1,700 ft
Moderately Strenuous
7:30 a.m. at Bozeman Public Library (626 E Main S) in Bozeman
Sally Cathey and John Todd
Explore an ancient petrified forest in one of Montana’s finest Wilderness Study Areas.
We will begin in the Tom Miner Basin en route to Buffalo Horn Pass and beyond. This hike
provides plenty of opportunity for sightseeing, bird watching, rock hounding, and enjoying
the incredible views from the Gallatin Range. The Tom Miner Basin and Buffalo Horn Pass
are smack in the middle of the Gallatin Petrified Forest, just north of the Yellowstone Park
Boundary. On a clear day, a combination of the elevation and the views all the way to the
Tetons will leave you breathless.
One of the more iconic ridge walks in the state, the Gallatin Crest is known to for its excellent
grizzly bear, elk, and bighorn sheep habitat. Bring plenty of water, a lunch, and clothes for
weather of all kinds. We will hike to Buffalo Horn Pass and turn south on the Crest towards a
high ridge that opens up into an expansive meadow. There we can sit and ponder the past,
present, and future of the Gallatin Range while looking across a blanket of wildflowers to
The Sphinx and Taylor-Hilgards.
Mystery Ranch Backpacks is proud to support this walk.
Mystery Ranch Backpacks supports the work of
Montana Wilderness Association because we’re
part of a community that loves the outdoors and
champions wild places.
www.mysteryranch.com
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Saturday, July 16
Saturday, July 16
COAL RIDGE LOOKOUT
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Polebridge
Flathead National Forest
6.8 miles, 1,800 ft
Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at Polebridge Mercantile (265 Polebridge Loop)
in Polebridge
Bill Walker and Randy Kenyon
We will start the hike on Moran Creek Trail #2 and climb steadily through a region of
undisturbed forest and the occasional open meadow until we reach the site of an old fire
lookout on the crest of Coal Ridge. The ridgetop is above the tree line, offering broad views of
Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park. If there is enough interest, we will offer
an optional diversion to the site of an even older lookout.
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Saturday, July 16
SAND ARROYO
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
70
Fort Peck
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
3 miles, 500 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum parking lot
(Yellowstone Rd) in Fort Peck
Patti Scanlan and Doug Smith
ICE CAVE
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Widely regarded as Montana’s most intact island mountain range, the Big Snowy Mountains
Wilderness Study Area (91,000 acres) provides a great selection of hiking opportunities for
those looking for a place less traveled. A favorite for many is the loop trail hike to the Ice
Cave, as expansive views and unusual geology make this hike outstanding. We will hike
through the forest and then onto a ridge that takes us to the top of the range. On top, we will
traverse several miles along a fairly level trail with 360-degree views, where on a clear day,
you can see all the way from Wyoming to Canada. We will drop down a short distance on a
side trail to the Ice Cave, a great place to cool down on a hot summer day. The trip down
provides scenic overlooks of Crystal Lake.
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Saturday, July 16
OLD GROWTH ECOLOGY
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
From the ridgetop we will be able to look across a rugged and scenic landscape with a view
of Fort Peck Lake in the distance. The area is known for its unusual rocks and fossils and
provides a rare example of a continuous record from the end of the dinosaur age to the
beginning of the age of mammals. An “Area of Critical Environmental Concern” is an
administrative designation the Bureau of Land Management gave to Sand Arroyo to help
protect and prevent irreparable damage to important paleontological resource values. Local
expert Doug Smith will co-lead the group and talk about the geologic history of the area.
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Lewistown
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
12 miles, 2,150 ft
Extremely Strenuous
8:45 a.m. at Crystal Lake Campground, 35 miles north of Lewistown
Dave Byerly and Dave Mari
Little Joe
Kootenai National Forest
2.5 miles, >300 ft
Easy
9:00 a.m. at the Ross Creek Cedars Trail # 142 entrance
Brian Baxter and Ashley South
Study ancient cedars with forester and wildlife biologist Brian Baxter as we examine old
growth ecology. We will observe and discuss silviculture and wildlife presence in the
cedars, as well as learn how native people and early explorers used this unique ecosystem.
We will be on the lookout for fungi, insects, birds, fish, mammals, vegetation, reptiles,
and amphibians. There will also be the opportunity to take short, off-trail walks to view
wildlife signs. Enjoy the cool shade of the cedars and bring a camera, lunch, and water.
Children over ten years of age welcome with an adult.
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Sunday, July 17
Friday, July 22
BURNT LODGE WILDERNESS STUDY AREA
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
74
Glasgow
Bureau of Land Management
6 miles, 500 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at Bureau Of Land Management Office (5 Lasar Drive)
in Glasgow
Ted Cogswell and Andrew McKean
Explore Burnt Lodge Wilderness Study Area, one of Eastern Montana’s most scenic wildlands.
Hikers will mostly follow ridgetops with spectacular views of river breaks topography. The
eroded terrain offers exposed sandstone, sheer walls, and castle-like formations. There are no
developed trails, but hiking is generally easy among dispersed trees and open land. The Burnt
Lodge WSA (about 14,000 acres) is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and borders
the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. An additional 23,000 acres extends into the refuge
and is managed as a proposed wilderness area.
PICNIC LAKE
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Kalispell
Flathead National Forest
6 miles, 1,300 ft
Moderately Strenuous
7:00 a.m. at Cayuse Prairie School (897 Lake Blaine Rd) in Kalispell
Ellen Horowitz and Grete Gansauer
Join us for a hike in Jewel Basin and learn about its fabled preservation history. Along the
way we will stop to identify wildflowers and look for wildlife. In the most recent forest
management plan the Flathead National Forest recommended the Jewel Basin area as
designated Wilderness! Bring water, snacks and lunch.
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Saturday, July 2
LOST CREEK STATE PARK
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Thursday, July 21
Register for this walk on the Butte-Beaverhead area map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
FINLEY LAKES
LOCATION
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Arlee
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead
5 miles, 1,600 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at the Arlee Community Center (34086 Powwow Road)
in Arlee
Steve Seninger and Daphne Herling
Join Germaine White and Pablo Espinoza from the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of
the Flathead on a hike to Finley Lake. This early morning hike will include a couple of sections
that are steep and rocky, but we will have rewarding views not only of the lake, but also of
the southern end of the Jocko Valley.
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Anaconda
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
3 miles, 600 ft
Easy
11:00 a.m. at Lost Creek State Park (5750 Lost Creek Rd)
outside of Anaconda
Abbie Phillip and Sarah Luebke
Lost Creek State Park offers great hiking trails and spectacular sights of grey limestone cliffs
and pink and white granite formations rising high above the canyon floor. Lost Creek Falls
offers a family-friendly hike on a paved path. We will continue on the trail north of the falls on
US Forest Service Trail #81337. The trail leads uphill before leveling off through forests and
meadows. This out-and-back trail allows your family to tailor the hike to fit your schedule
and physical limits.
A tribal recreation permit must be purchased before the hike and is available in Missoula at
Bob Wards, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Regional Office, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
They are also available in St. Ignatius at Cenex.
This hike is in honor of Bob Hopkins (1949-2016), a dedicated MWA volunteer and
wilderness advocate.
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FOCUS AREA
Saturday, July 23
KIYO CRAG
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT
In December of 2014, Montana Wilderness Association and the Coalition to
Protect the Rocky Mountain Front made history with the passage of the Rocky
Mountain Front Heritage Act—the first wilderness designation in Montana in
over 30 years!
The Heritage Act is the result of a wide variety of Montanans working cooperatively
to protect the Front while protecting grazing opportunities for ranchers and public
access for hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Rocky Mountain Front Ralph Thornton
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
East Glacier Park
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
7 to 12 miles, 1,500 ft
Extremely Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at Two-Medicine Grill (314 US-2) in East Glacier
Regina Rink and Dylan DesRosier
Join dedicated Glacier Two-Medicine Alliance volunteers on a spectacular adventure where
the mountains meet the prairie. Expect views of the Sweet Grass Hills and Bob Marshall
Wilderness, as well as the stunning Badger-Two Medicine. One group will venture to the peak
and another group will continue to a beautiful cirque lake. Please be prepared for our Rocky
Mountain Front winds and don’t forget your bear spray. High clearance vehicles are advised
for driving to the trailhead.
Great Falls Clinic supports the work of
Montana Wilderness Association because
we’re part of a community that loves the
outdoors and champions wild places.
www.gfclinic.com
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Saturday, July 23
Building on the momentum of the Heritage Act passage, MWA is partnering with
our conservation allies and the Blackfeet Nation to protect the Badger-Two Medicine
area. Lying at the wild intersection of Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall
Wilderness Complex and the Blackfeet Reservation, the Badger-Two Medicine is a
key piece of the Crown of the Continent.
The Badger-Two Medicine is home to headwaters, critical wildlife habitat, and the
creation story for the Blackfeet. It is also a sanctuary for traditional and spiritual
practices that go back thousands of years. The Badger-Two Medicine was illegally
leased by oil and gas interests in the early 1980s. We are now building momentum
to get rid of this threat once and for all and move toward permanent protection for
the Badger-Two Medicine.
For more information about what the Heritage Act means for the Front, how to
access the new Wilderness areas, or to get involved in the work to protect the
Badger-Two Medicine, please contact RMF Field Director Casey Perkins
at 466-2600 or [email protected].
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PARADISE VALLEY GEOLOGY
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Livingston
Custer Gallatin National Forest
8 miles, 3,200 ft
Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at Albertsons (2120 Park Street S) in Livingston
Karen Williams and Jerry Coffey
Join us on this geology-themed walk using the expansive vantage point of Elephanthead
Mountain, a beautiful peak in the northern Absaroka Range. The trail generally follows
Mission Creek, steeply climbs along the side of the mountain, and then the last part of the
walk is a trail-less, steep hike to the top. The summit provides panoramic views of the
Abasaroka Mountains and Yellowstone National Park. Come learn more about how these
beautiful areas were formed and shaped over geologic time.
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ROCKIN’ GEOLOGY DAY
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
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Saturday, July 23
Saturday, July 23
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
5 miles, 1,900 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at Kootenai National Forest Supervisors Office
(31374 Highway 2) in Libby
Brian Baxter and Ashley South
The French explorers and fur traders named the Cabinet Mountains for their shelf-like rock
faces. Join Kootenai Forest Geologist Lynn Hagarty and others for a trip into our beloved
Cabinet Mountain Wilderness! We will head up the Leigh/Snowshoe Creek drainages to
observe and study East Cabinet geology, including faults consisting of argillite and quartzite of
the Precambrian Ravalli group. Additionally, we will check out limestone formations of the
Wallace Formation. Historically, these geological formations yielded gold, silver, and lead.
Please come prepared with good hiking boots, lunch, water, and sunscreen.
BEARTOOTH LAKE
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
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LEADERS
Join us on this hike to one of the most beautiful places in the Beartooth Mountains. We will
start from Beartooth Lake Campground and explore the relatively flat Beartooth Plateau. There
are several choices of destination and participants will determine our day’s adventure. Along
the way we will encounter some easy stream crossings. Bring a lunch, water, and prepare for
changing weather.
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Sunday, July 24
79
LEMONDROP MOUNTAIN
Saturday, July 23
WEST FORK TETON
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Choteau
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
2 miles, none
Easy
8:00 a.m. at Paris Gibson Square (1400 1st Ave N) in Great Falls.
or 9:15 a.m. at Choteau Visitor Center in Choteau
Mary Thibaudeau and Maria Winslow
Have you longed to visit the spectacular Bob Marshall Wilderness? Enjoy Mother Nature at
her finest with wildflowers in bloom, majestic mountain views, and lunch on the banks of the
Teton River. Inside the Wilderness boundary we will have Mt. Wright as a dramatic backdrop.
With leisure in mind, there will be plenty of time to stop, peruse, and enjoy.
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Red Lodge
Shoshone National Forest
6 to 7 miles, 1,000 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at Beartooth Ranger Station (6811 Hwy 212)
south of Red Lodge
Bernard Rose and Marge McArthur
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Big Sky
Custer Gallatin National Forest
6.7 miles, 1,285 ft
Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at Buffalo Jump Sports Bar & Grill back parking
(75770 Gallatin Rd) in Gallatin Gateway
Barbara Geller and Chuck Geller
Come stroll through meadows along Porcupine Creek, in an area that is elk winter habitat.
Last summer we spotted moose in the huge meadows, nestled below the Gallatin Crest.
We will walk along the Gallatin Snowmobile Trail in a segment where it encroaches upon the
Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area, and then ascend to the summit of
little Lemondrop Mountain for views of Lone Peak to the west and the Gallatin Crest to the
east. Two years ago we followed fresh grizzly tracks through the woods as we looped back
to the parking area.
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Thursday, July 28
Saturday, July 30
HEART LAKE
WOODHAWK CREEK
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Superior
Lolo National Forest
7 miles, 600 ft
Moderately Strenuous
7:30 a.m. at Snowbowl unpaved parking lot north of the Town Pump
(5310 Grant Creek Rd) in Missoula
Bert Lindler and TBD
This is one of the best day hikes in western Montana, providing a great introduction to the
Great Burn Recommended Wilderness. This adventure will allow us to enjoy the breathtaking
views from the Stateline Trail. We will have lunch either on the ridge overlooking Heart Lake
or at the lake itself. Much of the hike is through wildflower meadows and the trail from the
lake downhill to the trailhead is alongside the South Fork of Trout Creek.
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Saturday, July 30
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Little Joe
Kootenai National Forest
4 miles, 500 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Bull River Road HWY 56
and South Fork Bull River Road Rd. # 410, 17 miles south of Troy
Brian Baxter and Ashley South
Walk with us across a bridge spanning the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness and the proposed
Scotchman Peaks Wilderness! The pristine Bull River Valley is one of the most scenic areas in
Northwest Montana. This connective corridor has an amazing series of habitat components
that enable wildlife to exist and migrate between rugged wildernesses. We will visit several
field sites to study vegetation, habitat types, predator-prey relationships, wildlife biology,
history, and fire ecology. Our focus will be on bighorn sheep, bears, elk, wolverine, fisher,
Canadian lynx, waterfowl, and birds of prey. Be sure to bring binoculars.
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LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Lewistown
Bureau of Land Management
6 miles, 600 ft
Moderate
10:00 a.m. at Albertsons parking lot (117 W Janeaux S)
in Lewistown
Mary Frieze and Clint Loomis
We will begin our journey in a remote area of Missouri Breaks National Monument. This is an
off-trail hike that will take us to an enchanted set of bentonite rock formations where we will
have lunch. If there is enough interest the hike can be extended for further exploration of this
awe-inspiring area. The terrain is made from powerful erosional forces and is one of many
attributes that make the Missouri River Breaks so amazing.
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Saturday, August 6
BRIDGE OF WILDERNESS
LOCATION
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
THE MUMMY
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Bozeman
Custer Gallatin National Forest
6 miles, 2,600 ft
Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at Macy’s (2825 W Main St) in Bozeman
David Ball and Craig Allen
The Mummy is one of the peaks visible to the southeast when crossing the causeway of
Hyalite reservoir. We will first hike to Flanders Lake by an old logging road and user path.
After taking time to enjoy the views, we will climb through a forest and scramble over
rocky terrain to get to the top. The views are fantastic, many mountain ranges are visible
and Hyalite Reservoir is directly below. Bring hiking boots and water shoes to wade
Flanders Creek.
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86
Saturday, August 6 – Sunday, August 7
CRAZY MOUNTAINS BACKPACK
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Big Timber
Custer Gallatin National Forest
8 miles, 1,600 ft
Moderate
8:00 a.m. at Wal-Mart northwest parking lot (1500 N 7th Ave)
in Bozeman
Roger Jenkins and Susie McDonald
Join us on a relatively easy one-night, knock-your-socks-off backpacking adventure to some
high mountain lakes! Anticipate getting so distracted by waterfalls and cascades along the
way that your pace slows to a crawl. Our official destination will be Twin Lakes, but there is
nothing stopping the hardier souls from exploring beyond, and one will only need to hike a few
hundred yards to get an excellent glacier view. Depending on experience, this trip should be
suitable for some youth.
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
CHAPAAQN
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
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TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Arlee
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead
5 miles, 2,000 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at the Arlee Community Center (34086 Powwow Road)
in Arlee
Julie Ellison and Allison Linville
Join Germaine White and Pablo Espinoza from the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of
the Flathead on a hike to Chapaaqn Peak. The trail is a gentle rise in elevation for much of the
hike. The last part, however, is a scramble up a talus slope. The reward is incredible vistas of
the Cabinet Mountains, Mission Mountains, Bitterroot Mountains, a lovely tarn on the north
side of Chapaaqn, and Flathead Lake.
This hike is in honor of Bob Hopkins (1949-2016), a dedicated MWA volunteer and
wilderness advocate.
Thursday, August 11
PILOT KNOB
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
Thursday, August 11
A tribal recreation permit must be purchased before the hike and is available in Missoula at
Bob Wards, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Regional Office, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Permits are also available in St. Ignatius at Cenex.
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LOCATION
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Lolo
Lolo National Forest
7 miles, 3,000 ft
Extremely Strenuous
7:30 a.m. at Walmart parking lot, 4000 Hwy 93 S) in Missoula
Bert Lindler and Jay Gore
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Saturday, August 13
CRATER LAKE
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
We will be hiking to the top of one of the most easily accessible prominent peaks in the
southern portion of the Great Burn Recommended Wilderness. At the top we will see mountain
ranges all over western Montana and the high-dry country of the area provides the opportunity
to see large Ponderosa Pines. Come prepared and bring water.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Bozeman
Custer Gallatin National Forest
9 miles, 2,200 ft
Strenuous
7:30 a.m. at Gallatin Valley Mall (2825 W Main St) in Bozeman
Steve Anderson and Kathy Anderson
This is your chance to visit Crater Lake, a crown jewel atop the Gallatin Crest in the Hyalite
Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area. Hikers will pass through old growth timber
stands, and high mountain meadows and follow a portion of the Gallatin Crest Trail. Views
of Hyalite Peak, the Absaroka Range, the Madison Range, and Paradise Valley are all visible
on a clear day. The trail follows the South Fork of Swan Creek to its headwaters, just below
the lake.
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90
Saturday, August 13
Saturday, August 13
MOOSE PEAK
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
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TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
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LEADERS
91
Polebridge
Flathead National Forest
6 miles, 1,900 ft
Strenuous
7:30 a.m. at Big Creek Campground, 20 miles north of Columbia Falls
Grete Gansauer and Lisa Flowers
BLACK ELK COULEE
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
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TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
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LEADERS
Deep in the Whitefish Range, Moose Peak offers spectacular views into the heart of some of
northwest Montana’s wildest country. On our adventure we will be climbing into alpine areas,
relishing the expansive vistas and exploring the delicate intricacies of alpine flora and ecology.
As we listen for the chirp of pikas and savor handfuls of huckleberries, this hike will be a
reminder that even the most physically challenging days can be relaxing for the soul!
Havre
Bureau of Land Management
7 miles, 1,000 feet
Moderately Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at the Bureau of Land Management office
(3990 Highway 2 West) in Havre
Jerry Clark and Josh Chase
Located just outside the northern border of Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument,
Black Elk Coulee is one of three irregular shaped areas clustered together that have been
identified by the Bureau of Land Management as having wilderness characteristics. The
ridgetops and benches on the southern end of the unit offer outstanding panoramic views of
the badlands and breaks topography that is unique to the Missouri River Breaks. This remote
area is known to have excellent mule deer hunting opportunities and supports a world-class
bighorn sheep herd. There are also numerous paleontological sites and prehistoric resources.
To help interpret the historic and cultural sites, BLM Archaeologist Josh Chase will join
the group.
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Saturday, August 13
COQUINA LAKE
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
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TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
A walk in the Bob Lee Boman
LEADERS
84
Hamilton
Nez Perce National Forest
5.2 miles, 880 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply (1189 S 1st St)
in Hamilton
Butch Waddill and Marilyn Wolff
We will begin our hike at the Bear Creek Pass Trailhead, where the trail initially meanders
through a boulder studded forest before emerging into open terrain below the wilderness
boundary. Scenic views of the surrounding granite peaks open up as we traverse open slopes
above Lower Bear Lake. We will then enter a subalpine forest and climb a series of
switchbacks besides Bear Creek until we eventually drop into the Coquina Lake Basin.
Camping is available at Bear Pass Trailhead and at Coquina Lake for those so inclined to
make this a multi-day adventure.
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Thursday, August 18
FOCUS AREA
SCHLEY MOUNTAIN
Register for this walk on the Shining Mountains Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Alberton
Lolo National Forest
3 miles, 500 ft
Moderate
7:30 a.m. at Snowbowl unpaved parking lot north of the Town Pump
(5310 Grant Creek Rd) in Missoula
Bert Lindler and TBD
WESTERN MONTANA
Great Burn Zack Porter
This hike is an excellent introduction to one of the most popular trailheads accessing the
Great Burn Recommended Wilderness. On the way to our hike we will pass through Fish Creek
State Park and Wildlife Management Area. We will have great views from Schley Mountain
and will probably be able to pick some huckleberries before heading back to town. High
clearance vehicles recommended.
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Friday, August 19
ROCK CREEK
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Hinsdale
Bureau of Land Management
4 to 5 miles, 500 ft
Moderately Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Raiders Quick Stop (102 1st Ave N) in Hinsdale
Nancy Greenfield and Josh Chase
Rock Creek is approximately 9,200 acres in size and has been identified by the Bureau of Land
Management as a “land with wilderness characteristics.” It is one of the few places along the
Hi-Line where a perennial stream flows through a largely intact prairie setting. The extensive
exposures of sandstone provide outstanding scenery as you hike through the canyons. Both
greater sage-grouse strutting grounds and sharp-tail grouse dancing grounds exist in the area,
and the diversity of native grasses in the unit provide quality grassland habitat for nesting
birds. Cultural resources both known and unknown are present. BLM Hi-Line Archaeologist
Josh Chase will provide a history of human use in the area and help interpret human artifacts.
Be sure to bring plenty of water, lunch, and rain gear.
From the Great Burn to the Swan Range, and from the Sapphires to the
Missions, western Montana’s public lands provide critical habitat for grizzly
and wolverine and form the headwaters of legendary rivers like the Blackfoot,
Clearwater, and Bitterroot.
In partnership with local organizations and businesses, the Montana
Wilderness Association is championing homegrown proposals that safeguard
our backcountry traditions and the wildlands and wildlife they depend on.
Rooted in the communities of Seeley Lake and Ovando, the Blackfoot
Clearwater Stewardship Project is a broadly supported proposal that would
expand the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Mission Mountains Wilderness
areas by 83,000 acres. Meanwhile, we’re teaming up with the Great Burn
Study Group to achieve Wilderness status for the storied Great Burn, a vast
region of ancient cedar forests, open ridgelines, and sparkling lakes that
straddles the Idaho-Montana border.
For more information or to become a volunteer contact Zack Porter at
406-823-0695 or [email protected].
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Saturday, August 20
Sunday, August 21
BITTER CREEK WILDERNESS STUDY AREA
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
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TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
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LEADERS
97
Glasgow
Bureau of Land Management
3 to 5 miles, 200 ft
Moderate
8:00 a.m. at Bureau Of Land Management Office (5 Lasar Drive)
in Glasgow
Joan McKeown and Jason Snellman
Join us for a real prairie wilderness experience at Bitter Creek, a 60,000-acre Bureau of Land
Management managed Wilderness Study Area. This large expanse of shortgrass rolling
prairie is one of the top birding areas in the region. You can also expect to see teepee rings
and other historic artifacts. There are no formal trails but hiking is easy. Jason Snellman, a
BLM Recreation Planner, will guide the group through a new remote access point on the north
side of the Wilderness Study Area. Hikers have the option of car camping under the brilliant
night sky but must bring their own gear. Four-wheel drive vehicles recommended.
RED TOP MOUNTAIN
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
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TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Yaak
Kootenai National Forest
7 miles, 3,000 ft
Extremely Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Red Top Campground (Highway 508) northwest of Troy
Jessie Grossman and Sue Janssen
A challenging climb will take hikers to the top of Red Top Mountain in the Yaak Valley, where
we will look out into the Yaak’s wildest and most diverse roadless country.
Cosponsored by Yaak Valley Forest Council.
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Saturday, August 27
HYALITE PEAK
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
96
LOCATION
Saturday, August 20
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
FAN MOUNTAIN
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
Register for this walk on the Madison-Gallatin Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Ennis
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
9 miles, 1,900 ft
Strenuous
9:00 a.m. at Lions Club Park (east Main Street) in Ennis
Bob Bayley and Catherine Nelson
Few people seek to reach the remote summit of Fan Mountain in the Madison Range; as to do
so would require an all-day, circuitous hike with significant vertical gain. Our less ambitious
hike will be to hike to the wild, primitive, roadless and trail-less land flanking the east side
of Fan Mountain which the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest manages as a Lee Metcalf
Recommended Wilderness Addition. We will be hiking in habitat frequented by wolves, elk,
grizzly bears, mountain lions, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and wolverines. This important
area remains the only public land abutting Fan Mountain that is not presently included in
the Taylor-Hilgard Unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.
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DIFFICULTY
LEADERS
Bozeman
Custer Gallatin National Forest
15 miles, 3,500 ft
Extremely Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at First Security Bank (642 S Cottonwood Rd # A)
in Bozeman
Jeanette Hall and Lisa Trankley
Join us on one of the most rewarding hikes in the Bozeman area. This area has it all and will
be an opportunity to explore the important Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study
Area. As we make our way up Hyalite Canyon we will hike past multiple waterfalls, cross
Hyalite Creek on rocks and log bridges and enjoy stunning views of the valley below. Once we
reach Hyalite Lake we will take a moment to enjoy the serene cirque beneath Fridley and
Hyalite Peaks before we set off for our final destination. From the top we’ll have views of the
magnificent peaks of the Gallatin Crest and multiple other mountain ranges that surround us.
Thirsty Lake Solar supports the work of
Montana Wilderness Association because
we’re part of a community that loves the
outdoors and champions wild places.
www.thirstylakesolar.com
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Saturday, August 27 – Sunday, August 28
NEZ PERCE TRAIL
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Big Sandy
Bureau of Land Management
5 to 6 miles, none
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at Big Sandy City Park in Big Sandy
Tim Faber and TBD
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Sunday, August 28
BALDY MOUNTAIN
Register for this walk on the Butte-Beaverhead area map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
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LEADERS
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Bears Paw Mountains on the historic Cow Island Trail, where
bullwhackers freighted during the Steamboat Era on the Missouri River. We will car camp
overlooking Cow Island on Saturday. On Sunday we will hike along the Nez Perce Trail and
into the Cow Creek Wilderness Study Area, in the heart of the Badlands. We usually see elk,
bighorn sheep, antelope, and short-horned lizards on this annual hike.
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Saturday, August 27
WETLAND WANDERINGS
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
Dillon
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
6 miles, 2,500 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:30 a.m. at University of Montana Western (710 S Atlantic S)
south parking lot in Dillon
O. Alan Weltzien and Neal Straus
Beaverhead County features two Baldy Mountains, and we’re hiking the more popular one, at
the south end of the East Pioneer Mountains. The informal trail begins in a lodgepole forest.
Once we reach the saddle between Black and Baldy Mountains, we will aim northwest up to
timberline and then switchback up the talus slope past the false summit to Baldy. We will be
treated with superb views in all directions, far beyond giant Beaverhead County, including
more than a half dozen mountain ranges.
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Friday, September 9
OUR LAKE
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Kila
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
3 miles, >500 ft
Easy
9:00 a.m. at Kila Pub (4220 Hwy. 2 West) 8 miles southwest
of Kalispell
Brian Baxter and Amy Robinson
Enjoy the magic and wonders of wetland habitats! Share a day discovering the amazing
diversity of wetlands, lake habitats, and forest edge effects. We will visit two types of
wetland areas where we will investigate and study vegetation, terrestrial mammals, aquatic
weasels, tracks, sign, and scat. Bring along your binoculars and spotting scopes, as we will
scout and scope for birds of prey, passerines and waterfowl. Also, bring a camera, as these
often overlooked and important connective habitats offer possibilities of photographing close
to 200 bird species, and a myriad of wildlife.
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Choteau
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
7 miles, 1,506 ft
Moderately Strenuous
7:30 a.m. at Paris Gibson Square (1400 1st Ave N) in Great Falls
or 8:15 a.m. at the Old Trail Museum parking lot (823 Main Ave N)
in Choteau
Jo Ann Wright and Bonnie Warren
Join us for a leisurely climb to a high alpine lake surrounded by subalpine fir. Along the trail,
we will discuss the Métis history of the area. Mountain goats are frequently seen scampering
along the cliffs above the lake. Our Lake was added to the Bob Marshall Wilderness in the
Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act that was passed by Congress and signed by the President
in December of 2014.
Historic Hotel Arvon supports the work of Montana Wilderness
Association because we’re part of a community that loves
the outdoors and champions wild places.
www.hotelarvon.com
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FOCUS AREA
Saturday, September 17
UPPER LAYOUT CREEK
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Lovell, WY
National Park Service
4.4 miles, 1,330 ft
Moderately Strenuous
7:30 a.m. at RiverStone Health southend parking lot
(23 South 27th Street) in Billings
Rita Harding and Roger Otstot
Join us for one of the most spectacular hikes in the Pryor Mountains! Layout Creek flows out
of a deep canyon on the steep face of East Pryor Mountain. The trail climbs up steep open
slopes to jagged limestone cliffs of Sykes Ridge and then enters Upper Layout Creek Canyon.
The trail goes through thick timber before ending at a spring that feeds multiple streams and
small waterfalls that flow down the canyon to form the creek. This is one of few permanent
streams in the Pryor Mountains and is a very rare fragile ecosystem for the arid Pryors, and
among the streams and falls are semi-aquatic moss and plant gardens uncommon to the
Pryors. We linger here to have lunch and enjoy the magic of this hidden location. As we
return back down the trail, we are treated to stunning landscape views, and depending on
time and weather, we may be able to explore historic Carolyn Lockhart Ranch, see tipi ring
formations, or enjoy breathtaking views of the Bighorn and Devil Canyon confluence.
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Saturday, September 17
MIDDLE FORK OF THE JUDITH RIVER
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Utica
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest
13 miles, 900 ft
Moderately Strenuous
8:15 a.m. at Oxen Yoke Inn (11532 MT-541) in Utica
Noel Birkland and Sandy Birkland
Island range geology and canyon scenery are woven into this day on the trail in a local
wilderness study area. This loop hikes starts with high meadows along Woodchopper Ridge.
We will then descend through a ponderosa pine forest, past Arch Coulee and into a
spectacular limestone canyon carved by the Middle Fork of the Judith River. From there we
will travel down the the canyon following the river. This portion of the hike has several stream
crossings, so bring extra shoes for wading. After the hike we will stop for the famous large
burgers at the Oxen Yoke Inn.
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PRAIRIE WILDLANDS
Square Creek Tony Bynum
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
The high plains of eastern Montana represent some of the last remaining
blocks of unbroken prairie in North America. Montana Wilderness Association is
working diligently in our campaign to protect the unique values of Montana’s
Prairie wildlands.
Lands with wilderness characteristics have been identified through our on-theground inventories, and we are garnering support for these lands through
Wilderness Walks, community outreach, statewide public education, grassroots
advocacy, and collaboration. We recently completed the Southeast Montana
Geotourism map project, and will continue to look for ways to add value to local
communities through quiet recreation. We hope to build a greater awareness
and appreciation for the value of prairie landscapes.
Last year the Bureau of Land Management finalized three management plans. As a
result of our efforts, protections have been applied to thousands of acres of BLM
land. The BLM is currently preparing a fourth management plan for the Lewistown
Field Office, much of which cover lands bordering the CMR Wildlife Refuge and the
Musselshell River country. Together, these plans will shape public land management
for decades to come across two-thirds of the state.
Through our inventory and organizing work we have gained a much better knowledge
and understanding of the landscapes, the people who live there and local communities.
And as with the other plans, we will again mobilize citizens to speak for the wild
values of our public lands in the Lewistown area and throughout the state.
These are exciting times for wildlands protection in eastern Montana and we hope
you’ll join us. For more information or to get involved, contact Mark Good in
Great Falls at 406-453-9434 or Charlie Smillie in Billings at 406-690-3725.
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Sunday, September 18
Tuesday, September 20
TUCHUCK MOUNTAIN
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
107
Polebridge
Flathead National Forest
13.6 miles, 3,857 ft
Extremely Strenuous
8:00 a.m. at Polebridge Mercantile (265 Polebridge Loop)
in Polebridge
Debo Powers and Amy Robinson
Hiking to Tuchuck is the most strenuous day-hike in the Whitefish Range. There are
spectacular views of the Whitefish Range and Glacier and Waterton National Parks along the
entire trail. The alpine larch will have turned a brilliant orange and the huckleberry bushes will
be red. Tuchuck lies in the heart of 80,000 acres of roadless land that the Whitefish Range
Partnership proposed for wilderness designation in a recommendation to the Flathead Forest
Service in October 2013.
ARROW CREEK FIELD SKETCHING HIKE
Register for this walk on the Island Range Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Geraldine
Bureau of Land Management
3 miles, 500 ft
Moderate
7:30 a.m. at the C.M. Russell Museum (400 13th St N) in Great Falls
Jay Eklund and George Bumann
Join Montana Wilderness Association and C.M. Russell Museum on a hike into one of the
more remote and rugged parts of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.
Arrow Creek is a small meandering stream, flanked by cottonwoods, which works its way
down to the Missouri River. The group will follow a ridge with rock outcroppings that looks
down on Arrow Creek. Some colorful wildflowers may still be present along with prickly pear
cactus. We will stop along the way to sketch our observations. Artist George Burmann will
provide instruction. Bring lunch, water and dress for the weather.
Art supplies will cost $60 per participant.
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Cosponsored by C.M. Russell Museum.
Sunday, September 18
TERRY BADLANDS & NATURAL BRIDGES
Register for this walk on the Eastern Wildlands Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Terry
Bureau of Land Management
5 miles, 400 ft
Moderate
8:30 a.m. at Murn Park in Terry
Karen Stevenson and Mike Stevenson
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Saturday, September 24
WETLAND WONDERS AND WILDLIFE
Register for this walk on the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter map at www.wildmontana.org/walks
LOCATION
PUBLIC LAND MGMT.
TRAIL MILES, ELEV. GAIN
Follow us into the Terry Badlands, first by crossing the old Milwaukee Railroad Bridge that
spans the Yellowstone River to access the renowned bootlegging trail of yore, The Calypso
Trail. We will stop and hike along a ridge with a view all the way to North Dakota. Stories are
lurking around every rock formation as we wind our way to the Natural Bridges trailhead,
where scenes from the Montana PBS documentary, “Evelyn Cameron: Pictures from a Worthy
Life”, were filmed. We will wander, wonder, and be wowed by buttes, deep draws, and
bridges that span the layers of time. No wonder Evelyn Cameron stayed! A high clearance
vehicle is needed to access these locations.
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DIFFICULTY
MEETING TIME/PLACE
LEADERS
Libby
Kootenai National Forest
4 miles, 500 ft
Moderate
9:00 a.m. at Venture Inn (443 U.S. Hwy 2 W) in Libby
Brian Baxter and Ashley South
Join us for a look into the wonders of wetlands and the wildlife that thrive in these
specialized ecosystems! We will study habitat components, including vegetation of bogs
and fens, as well as the birds that reside and migrate through these important marshy link
corridors. Focusing on the predator-prey relationship, we will study other wildlife that
depend on these areas, including deer, elk, moose, bear, weasels, muskrat, and beaver.
Come prepared for a full day outing and bring lunch, water, and binoculars. Four-wheel drive
vehicles recommended.
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NOTES
YOU CAN
HELP
KEEP IT
WILD
Montana Wilderness
Association’s Walks
program is a great way
to get outdoors and
experience our
treasured wild places.
JOIN US to help keep
Montana wild. Together
with our members, we
protect Montana’s
wilderness heritage,
quiet beauty, and
outdoor traditions,
now and for future
generations.
But we can’t do it
without you.
“We enjoy hiking and sharing
experiences with others while
exploring Montana’s wildlands. We
meet the nicest people, in a variety of
weather conditions, and get the
opportunity to hike, listen, and share
perspectives as we walk and
snowshoe through these incredible
areas. Every wild area is the result
of a preservation vision passed on
through the generations before us.
Thank you to those who carry the
passion to preserve the last remnants
of our Montana wildlands.”
-Doug and Sonia Powell, Helena, MT
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Montana Wilderness Association
80 S. Warren, Helena, MT 59601
406-443-7350
www.wildmontana.org
!
EARLY REGISTRATION
begins April 20 for MWA
members only.
user name: summer
password: 2016
Montana Wilderness Association works with
communities to protect Montana’s wilderness
heritage, quiet beauty, and outdoor traditions,
now and for future generations.
SINCE 1958, we have educated and organized people to protect Montana’s
wildlands. Our members helped pass the 1964 Wilderness Act and worked to
win designation for every wilderness area in the state, including the Bob Marshall,
Scapegoat, Cabinet Mountains, and Absaroka-Beartooth. We also led campaigns
to achieve “Wild and Scenic” designations for the Missouri and Flathead Rivers
and national monument status for the stunning Upper Missouri River Breaks.
Montana Wilderness Association was founded
by Montanans and is governed by a council of
citizen volunteers. We work at the local level
through six statewide chapters and offices in
Helena, Billings, Bozeman, Choteau, Great Falls,
Libby, Missoula, and Whitefish.
To get involved in preserving Montana’s unique
landscapes, wildlife habitats, and backcountry
traditions, please contact one of our local
offices (see contact information inside).
HELP US KEEP MONTANA WILD!
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