Trail of the Week

The climb up Big Pryor Mountain to the Crater Ice Cave is short, steep, and well-worth the effort! The trail winds its way through dense Douglas fir forest, which provides welcome shade on a summer day. Wildflowers are plentiful, and stunning views appear between the trees as you climb. From the summit, you can see the Beartooths, the Wind River of Wyoming, and the plains of central Montana. There...

In the West Pioneer Mountains near Polaris, the hike to Sawtooth Lake is a great adventure for all ages. The well-maintained trail follows Clark Creek through the area burned in the 2003 Hidden Lake Fire, which is now home to colorful wildflowers, young lodgepole pines, and plenty of wildlife. It soon moves back into wooded terrain and begins to climb, before you suddenly emerge on the banks of Sa...

Nestled on the Idaho/Montana border, Lost Lake is a lovely alpine lake accessed by an easy day hike. The trail winds along Lost Creek, passing through emerald green meadows and tall stands of timber. The creek pools and cascades along the trail, while rocky outcrops begin to jut out from the vegetation as you climb above the water. Several lovely campsites dot the eastern and western shores of the...

Overshadowed by more popular trails nearby, the East Fork Hyalite Divide Trail is a wonderful escape from the summertime crowds. It meanders through lush old-growth forest, crossing gin-clear creeks and small cascading waterfalls, before gaining elevation and making its way across several tricky scree fields. The effort is worth it, though, because you’re soon rewarded by tall volcanic spires that...

High up in the Cabinet Mountains, the loop hike around Upper Cedar Lake is a great multi-day adventure. Be sure to take your time, because this 22-mile trek is worth savoring. Along the way, you’ll get to enjoy stunning views of alpine lakes, gaze at jagged peaks, and soak in the solitude of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. Upper Cedar Lake is home to several scenic campsites, making it the perfe...

If great views are what you’re after, the trail to Medicine Point Lookout in the Bitterroots won’t disappoint! It’s a steep climb to the ridge through both lush and previously burned forest, but the reward - 360 degree views of the Bitterroots, Pintlers, and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness - are well worth the effort. If you really want to soak in the scenery, spend the night in the refurbished 1940s...

If you’re looking for a new backpacking adventure, the David Creek Trail in the East Pioneer Mountains is well worth a visit. The real attraction is the stunning Torrey Lake. On the way there, you’ll move through mixed forest and occasional wildflower-sprinkled meadows, never straying too far from the babbling of David Creek. The banks of the crystal-clear lake host several pristine campsites, and...

Near Winnett, a short hike in the Musselshell Breaks Wilderness Study Area is a great way to get a taste of this wonderland of rugged river breaks and wild coulees. The trail starts off heading downhill, following a narrow ridge through pine and cedar. Part of the area was burned in a 2017 fire, but the breaks provided natural barriers that kept the fire from spreading. The trail follows a fence l...

What do a fishing trip and a bulldozer have to do with designated Wilderness? Join MWA’s Shining Mountains Chapter for a story told by Smoke Elser, an iconic outfitter and wildlands advocate who has been an MWA member for over 60 years. Listen to learn more about Smoke’s adventures in Montana’s backcountry as he shares an experience that led to the establishment of the Great Bear Wilderness. Total...

Hiking to Louise Lake, in the heart of the Tobacco Root Mountains, is the perfect adventure to add to your summer to-do list. The road to the trailhead is rough, but once you’re on the trail, you’ll climb gradually along shady switchbacks as you make your towards the lake. When you reach it, prepare to have your breath taken away - the deep blue waters shimmer in the sunlight, tall peaks reach tow...

East of Missoula, the Whitaker Bridge Rail Trail is an easy stroll along the Blackfoot River. The well-packed gravel trail follows an old railroad grade, passing under ponderosa pines and cliffs cut by both the river and the railroad. After half a mile, a series of gravel bars and shallow bends in the river provide a great place to spend a lazy afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the sunshin...

Get away from the hot summer sun by enjoying a shady hike along Pilgrim Creek in the Little Belt Mountains. After leaving the trailhead, you’ll walk through an open and needle-carpeted stand of ponderosa pine. Limestone cliffs tower above the treetops, providing a welcome respite from the midsummer heat, and a handful of small creek crossings ensure that your mind can’t wander too far. The trail c...

Wayyy down in southwestern Montana, the Deadman Lake trail is a scenic gem with a wonderful view of the Italian Peaks. The trail actually starts from Deadman Lake, and climbs through a cliff-lined valley across dry streambeds and old lake basins. Switchback up a steep climb and you’ll find yourself on the shores of Divide Creek Lake, a small but lush oasis tucked away between emerald green hills....

As one of the easiest and most spectacular hikes in the Whitefish Range, the trip to Thoma Lookout is a can’t-miss summer adventure. You’ll start off by hiking alongside a beautiful mossy creek while a dense spruce forest provides some much-needed shade. After a few miles, you’ll pop out of the trees to jaw-dropping views of the northern Whitefish Range and the towering peaks of Glacier National P...

Tucked up against the Canadian border northwest of Havre, Lost River Wildlife Management Area is a remote and scenic hike where you’ll see more wildlife than people. There are no trails here, so you can make your own way across the grasslands. While you’re hiking, be sure to keep an eye out for deer, antelope, and elk, as well as upland birds and the occasional tipi ring. The only shade comes from...

A short hike to the shores of Crystal Lake, on the Idaho border west of St. Regis, is a great half-day adventure. While it’s not long, the trail does climb steadily, crossing creeks and passing lush undergrowth and plenty of colorful wildflowers. Before long, you’ll arrive at the lake, where you can fish for brook trout, set up camp, or go for a refreshing swim. If you’re feeling adventurous, you...

On the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Jones Gulch is an easy hike that provides great views into Montana’s premier wilderness area. Leaving the trailhead, you’ll cross over tiny Jones Creek and hike through young, dense, and emerald-green forest. Before long, the trail crosses an old dry riverbed filled with wildflowers that bloom in early summer. Continue on, especially if you’ve brought a...

North of Plains, the hike up Baldy Mountain offers great views into the Cabinet Mountains and the southern end of the Flathead Valley. The trail that leads to the summit climbs gently, passing wonderfully gnarled old trees and crossing a handful of scree slopes. Baldy Mountain is the tallest peak in the area - it used to be home to a a lookout tower - and the panoramic views from the summit are wo...

There are no official trails through Sand Arroyo, to the east of Fort Peck Lake, but that just makes it more fun to explore! The badlands hide all sorts of dry washes, hoodoos, shallow caves, and other eye-catching rock formations, and the game trails that criss-cross the area make the walking easy. The best times to explore Sand Arroyo are the spring and fall, when the sun’s not quite as merciles...

East of Helena, the Hanging Valley Trail leads to one of the most spectacular views in central Montana. Starting from the Vigilante Campground, the trail climbs through open forest. After a steady ascent, it begins to switchback down through its namesake valley, a narrow canyon that’s been sculpted by the elements. Scramble alongfor a few minutes and you’ll emerge abruptly at the breathtaking cany...

If you’re looking for sparkling alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and lots of wildlife, you can’t beat the hike to Our Lake, on the Rocky Mountain Front west of Choteau. The lake, also called Hidden Lake, is tucked high up in a rocky cirque. To get there, follow the winding trail through a forest of fir and spruce, making sure to enjoy the vibrant wildflowers littered among the trees. You’ll be...

If you really want to get off the beaten path, try a trip to Northwest Peak. Tucked wayyy up in northwest Montana, it’s a tough place to get to, but that just means you’ll have this little-known peak all to yourself. Most of the trail weaves through lush tree cover, but you’ll catch the occasional glimpse of the rounded ridges that are common in this part of Montana. In the fall, the many larch al...

The Boulder Creek Trail, at the far southern end of the Bitterroot Valley, is a great adventure to an impressive waterfall! The trail climbs gently through sun-dappled forest, while rock pinnacles tower above the creek. In spring, wildflowers carpet the side of the trail. When you reach the waterfall, take some time to scramble around the exposed granite slabs - the waterfall has carved a deep cha...

Southwest of Broadus, Buck Creek is a wild and scenic area in the remote Powder River Valley. There are no trails here, but the exploring is top-notch. Take your time and wander through the large stretches of shortgrass prairie, pick your way through fields of sage, and adventure through the rugged badlands. Keep your eyes peeled for mule deer and antelope, as well as grouse and small mammals. If...

Following the Continental Divide Trail south from Rogers Pass is a great way to experience the rugged spine of the continent. This section of the CDT begins by climbing up to the summit of Midnight Hill, where you’ll have great 360-degree views of rolling mountains, wide wideprairies, and tall peaks in the distance. From here, the trail follows the broad broadridgeline of the Divide, so the views...