Where In Montana

“Okay, for those of you who have been packing in MT before . . . where should I go on my next trip? It needs to be about a two dayer, not a whole lot of that straight up the mtn. stuff, not more than 10 miles, and I would prefer to be near a lake or a hot spring. I am probably going w/ two other women and a dog. I like the Beartooths, but I also want to go to Glacier. Suggestions?”

“We're going to Glacier at the beginning of August. We'll be in the Many Glacier area. Would you like a trip report? We're doing a day hike to Mt. Siyeh that should be interesting (12 miles roundtrip). There are some good books available at theadventuroustraveler.com”

“Thanks arclite. I don't think many TTers have bped in MT. This is the second time I have posted a question about it and I am just not getting a response.”

“I've never hiked in Montana, but I would refer you to recent Backpacker mag issues.”

“Thanks Rick, I know my state, but I haven't packed here. Just car camped.”

“My buds and I do a Wind River's once a year. It's become a religion with us. I always look forward to that 6 day dose of 100% DEET. Yummmmmm! :)

There has been talk of someday goin to the Bighorn's though.”

“The Beartooths are awesome!

Go there.”

“We went to Glacier car-camping in '96. Did a little day hiking. I'd love to go back and do some serious bp'ing. Hmmm I still have 2 weeks off in Aug...”

“Griz,
Do the Winds after Labor day, kids and bugs are pretty much gone then. And in the Winds, its still spring.

Forget that, I do the Winds after Labor Day, the fewer up there the better.”

“Between Cooke City and Red Lodge, Montana. There is a trail called Muddy Creek Trailhead. It is kind of obscure and hidden, but easy to find when you know where to look. You can hike in about 6 miles one way to Granite Lake. The fishing at the outlet is awsome. You can then hike out the way you went in, or hike out to Island Lake (I think) or Beartooth lake.

The trail is up hill in, but fairly flat.

Would make a nice two day trip, but a better three day. Three days would allow two nights at Granite, with some day hiking possibilities.

This is now the 2nd time I have given you a nice hike in Montana.”

“LD, My vacation is in July so I don't have much choice. The snowmelt is about 3 weeks ahead of schedule and VERY dry...so I hope the bugs will be ahead and not as many this year.”

“We did approx. 11 miles in Glacier a couple years ago (loop trail). We were on the west side of the park. From Bowman lake, we hiked to Quartz Lake. Part of the hike goes through the area burned in the 1988 North Fork fire. There's three or four campsites on Quartz Lake that are beautiful. Then its a 7 mile hike back to the trail head. After about 4 miles, you pass through another set of campsite (I think there were 8) on Lower Quartz lake. You can stop here for the night for a three day trip or continue on to the trialhead for a two-day trip.

The first half of the first day of hiking was a little rough. Mostly uphill. But it was well worth it.

Check the nps.gov site for maps and trail info. I would do a link... but I still haven't figured that out. Here's an attempt:

http://www.nps.gov/glac/pphtml/maps.html”

“oh.. there was a bit of a tough spot about two miles from the trailhead on the way back. Uphill again. Pretty steep. But short.

Plan ahead. Our hike was in July. We had planned to hike a loop on the east side of the park by Two Medicines. But, the loop was still closed due to snow. Talk to the rangers.”

“Thanks everyone! I think I might go w/ Cheif's suggest. I love that area. Pisgah, my grandmother practically lives in the Beartooths, I spent alot of time runnin' around that area. Beautiful!”