Hike Bike and Run 2013

HIKE BIKE RUN4 Missoulian, Sunday, June 9, 2013

When youre out on Missoulas trails,whether in town or in the national forest,remember that you are one of manytraveling these pathways. If you meetother people on the trail, be considerateand courteous. It will make everyonesouting safer and more enjoyable.

Show respect for the land, too. Afterall, Missoulas natural beauty is one ofits greatest assets. Trails are one of thebest ways to get out and experience ourcity and its surroundings. Dont letmisuse of trails diminish the quality ofthis opportunity for you and others in thefuture.

Here are a few simple rules of trailetiquette:

Make your contacts with otherspleasant, no matter how brief.

Tread lightly and leave no trace.Dont litter.Stay on the trail; you can damage

vegetation and contribute to erosion byleaving the trail. Dont cut corners atswitchbacks.

City regulations require that dogsbe leashed on city trails and in city

parks, unless otherwise posted, and thatowners remove their pets waste. A fewareas on conservation lands aredesignated as voice restraint areas please observe all regulations andrespect wildlife and other park users.Visit www.missoulaparks.org for moreinformation.

Missoula City/County Animal Controlis responsible for enforcementregulations regarding dogs. Reportviolations at 541-7387.

Dogs must be leashed whenencountering grazing livestock on city

conservation lands. Always be willing to yield the right

of way. This is a matter of safety, as wellas courtesy. Hikers and bicyclists: Thisis especially true when you encounterequestrians or people with llamas orother livestock.

Bicyclists, speak up or ring yourbell. Try not to startle people orlivestock. When you approachoncoming livestock on narrow trails,speak, slow down and dont makesudden motions or loud noises. Ifpossible, move off the trail to thedownhill side. When approachinglivestock from the rear, speak out andask any nearby people for instructions.

If you smoke, do so only where youcan be sure there is no chance ofstarting a fire and dont litter theground with cigarette or cigar butts.

Observe rules posted at trailheadsregarding permitted use of trails.

Respect private property and routeclosures. Dont trespass.

Try not to disturb wildlife.

The Lolo National Forest andthe Missoula Ranger DistrictVisitor Information Office islocated in Building 24A at Fort Missoula.This office provides information onForest Service campgrounds, cabin andlookout rentals, maps, firewood permits,Christmas tree permits, hiking trails,and other Forest Service information.Please call the Lolo National ForestSupervisor's Office at (406) 329-3750, or the Missoula Ranger District Office at (406) 329-3814 or visitwww.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo.

Smokejumper Visitor Center islocated at the Aerial Fire Depot west of

Missoula. The visitor center is openfrom Memorial Day through Labor Day.For tour information, call (406) 329-4934.

Missoula Convention andVisitors Bureau, 101 E. Main St.,Missoula, MT 59802; (406) 532-3250.Free city maps, historic tour maps, Lolo National Forest brochures andother local information.

Adventure Cycling, 150 E. PineSt., Missoula, MT 59802; (406) 721-8719.Mountain biking, Missoula-area map,$3.95. Delineates 10 routes nearMissoula. Also available from LoloNational Forest.

Bicycle-Pedestrian Office,City of Missoula, 435 Ryman St.,

Missoula, MT 59802; (406) 523-4626.Missoula bicycle map.

Montana Department of Fish,Wildlife and Parks, Missoula area,3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT59801; (406) 542-5500.

U.S. Department of the Interior,Bureau of Land Management,3255 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT59801; (406) 329-3914.

Missoula Parks and Recreation,300 Cregg Lane, Missoula, MT 59801.Call (406) 721-7275 or go towww.missoulaparks.org for moreinformation about citybicycle/pedestrian trails and trails oncity conservation lands.

Other sources for Missoula-area trail information

HIKE BIKE RUNTrails in and around Missoula

Please be courteous on the trail

Trail blaze marksMany national forest trails at

Blue Mountain and other areasare marked with this blaze. Ifyoure using a trail that doesnthave signs, watch for thissymbol carved into trees tomark the route.

Missoulian, Sunday, June 9, 2013 5

Trail use symbols

Mappingsymbols

Symbols that appear onmaps in this guide indicatingspecial features of trails

The symbols that appearwith trail descriptions in thisguide indicate the trail usesthat are permitted and specialfeatures of trails, such asaccessibility to people inwheelchairs and opportunitiesfor scenic views.

Walking and jogging

Cross-countryskiing

4-wheelvehicle

Hiking Handicapaccessible

Snowmobile

Bicycle

Motorcycle Wildlifeviewing

Horsebackriding

4-wheelATV

Scenicviews

RestroomParkingTrailhead

Missoula andsurrounding areas

Point ofinterest

Picnicarea

Interpretivetrail


Pedestrian only trailMulti-use trailOn-street bike laneOn-street bike routeCity open space and parksConservation easement public accessConservation easement no public access

Ron MacDonald Riverfront trail systemSouthside

Orange Street to University of MontanaMiles: 1.5Elevation gain: NoneDogs: On leash

Thanks to combined efforts of the city of Missoula, the MissoulaRedevelopment Agency, the University of Montana and the Missoulian,this stretch of riverfront has been transformed from a railroad andpower line right of way to an attractive open-space corridor.

The trail on the south side of the Clark Fork connects some popularcommunity parks and recreation areas.

McCormick Park, at the western end of the trail, is a 26-acre citypark with a public swimming pool, childrens fishing pond, tenniscourts, playground and ball fields. In winter, ice skating is available.

John C. Toole Park, a 12-acre city park west of the Madison StreetBridge, has a 400-meter running track and a large grassy area thats afavorite spot for tossing Frisbees. Youll find restrooms in this park.Along the river, look for several large rocks on which to perch andwatch the water flow.

P aths along the downtown riverfront are at the heartof Missoulas trail network. Walking, bicycling and,in some places, horseback-riding paths along theClark Fork River connect city parks and open space,neighborhoods, businesses and the University ofMontana. Routes branching off this central corridor linkurban Missoula with its surroundings and provide far-reaching access to the great Montana outdoors.

Riverfront trails extend from west of downtownMissoula into Hellgate Canyon, east of town. You cancross the river on any one of the three street bridgesacross the Clark Fork within this zone the OrangeStreet, Higgins Avenue and Madison Street bridges.Theres also a footbridge off Van Buren Street, just northof the University of Montana campus, and another offCalifornia Street, and under the Madison Street Bridge.

Missoulians of all ages enjoy these trails from sunriseto sunset. All the trails are wide and level, with virtually nochange in elevation. Youll find some nice views of themountains surrounding Missoula. Dogs are allowed onthese trails, but please keep them on a leash and cleanup after them.

The riverfront is a favorite place to take a middaybreak or an evening stroll after dining out. If youre avisitor to Missoula, go to the riverfront to stretch your legsand clear your mind after a day on the road. Youll get alook at Missoula and a feel for its unique character.

See Page 12to continue east on Kim Williams Nature Trail.

HIKE BIKE RUNMissoulian, Sunday, June 9, 2013 7

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MountJumbo(See

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Milwaukee Trail

Kim Williams

Sceduled to openin 2011

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See SOUTHSIDE, Page 8

Source: Missoula Parks and Recreation

Old Fox site to the Van Buren Street FootbridgeMiles: 2Elevation gain: NoneDogs: On leash

Caras Park, a 15-acre city park downtown along the Clark ForkRiver, is considered the hub of the Missoula trails network. Here,youll find ample parking, restrooms, picnic tables, benches and anoutdoor amphitheater for community events plus ready access to

downtown shopping, restaurants and other points of interest.In the summer, be sure to join the Out to Lunch program held

every Wednesday in Caras Park. Its a weekly Missoula celebrationwith free music and other entertainment, and a variety of foodoptions available for purchase from vendors.

On the west side of Caras Park, check out A Carousel forMissoula, a hand-carved carousel that was created through theeffort of Missoula volunteers, and its companion Dragon Hollowplay area.

From Caras Park east to Bess Reed Park, the trail is paved andreadily accessible to wheelchairs and people who need a smooth,level surface for walking. Enjoy the close-up view you have of theriver along this stretch and, in spring and summer, notice thewildflowers that bloom along the riverbank.

Just east of the Higgins Avenue Bridge, look for the sculptureReturning by Montana artist Jeffrey Funk. Children love to touchand climb on Funks trio of trout.

Theres a short gap in the riverfront trail just east of Bess ReedPark, but you can easily follow city streets to get back on the trailat Kiwanis Park. From Bess Reed, turn left (north) on WashingtonStreet, then right (east) on Kiwanis Street. This street dead-ends atKiwanis Park, where you can pick up the pathway on the levee nextto the river. Youll find a picnic area, a baseball field and tenniscourts in the park.

The trail follows the levee through Kiwanis Park to a residentialarea next to the Madison Street Bridge. At this point, youll need tomake another detour onto city streets to continue east. Go left(north) on Parsons Street to East Front Street. Turn right (east) onFront, continue across Madison Street and pick up the trail nearthe Van Buren Street Footbridge.

At the footbridge, you can cross the river to the Southside Trailor continue north to access trails in the Rattlesnake Valley and theRattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness. Note thatthe Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is just north of thebridge; inquire there if you need more information.

North Hills Moon-Randolph HomesteadThe historic Moon-Randolph Homestead, part of Missoulas

open space system, is open every Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., fromMay to the end of October (fire danger and weather permitting).Visitors are welcome to picnic in the apple orchard, tour thehistoric farm buildings with one of the trained volunteers, or justnap under the black locust trees. During the rest of the week, thehomestead is open for research, youth programs and artisticpursuits. The North Missoula Community Development Corp.works with Missoula Parks and Recreation to manage thehomestead for the public. Call 728-9269 or [email protected] to inquire about volunteeropportunities and programs.

Access: You can reach the homestead on foot from trailheadson Greenough/Duncan Drive. If you bike or drive, follow ScottStreet north over the bridge, take a left onto Rodgers Street, thenturn right on Shakespeare Street (which becomes Coal MineRoad). Turn right immediately after you go under the interstate andthen turn right again after the second cattle guard. The homesteaddiscourages car visitors, but if you do drive please park on theright side of the road before the cattle guard.

Northside

See Page 28for connectingNorth Hills trails

Jacobs Island, just south and east of the Van Buren Streetfootbridge, is a popular place to picnic or simply lounge. Warm,sunny spring and fall days draw University of Montana students tothe grassy banks of this nine-acre city park. The east end of theisland has the Bark Park, a designated area for dogs to play off-leash.

Another city park, the Clark Fork Nature Park, has been developedjust east of McCormick Park and the Orange Street Bridge.

Enjoy the natural vegetation along the trail, but pleaseremember not to trample plants along the rivers edge; they receivea yearly beating during high water. This vegetation is wildlifehabitat, so keep your eyes and ears open for beavers, songbirds,great blue herons, and, if youre fortunate, a bald eagle.

Just east of Jacobs Island, the trail becomes the Kim WilliamsNature Trail. You can follow this trail east of town through HellgateCanyon, cross the Van Buren Street footbridge to get on thenorthside riverfront trail or travel a short distance to the M trail.

To get to the M trail, follow the sidewalk south from the VanBuren Street footbridge for a block to Campus Drive and turn left;the trailhead is on your left about a half-mile up Campus Drive.

SouthsideContinued


Homesteadparking0.3 mile walk in.Parking on-site forthose with limitedmobility or by priorarrangement

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TowerComplexLoop

Miles: 0.78Elevation gain: NoneSurface: Gravel and earthDogs: Under voice control

This trail loops through theTower Street open space area,passing through a rich riparianzone and along the banks of theClark Fork. Trail users can getout on a rocky terrace on abend in the river and watchmany different birds that live inthe area. Access the trail fromthe parking area at the northend of Tower Street. To helpprotect the abundant wildlife inthe area, dogs must be undervoice and sight control.


Big Sky TrailMiles: 1Elevation gain: NoneDogs: Under voice control

Running between Tower Street and North Avenue, this trailprovides many entrances to Big Sky open space, Missoulasbiggest expanse of open space on the valley floor. It ties in with theEquestrian Park, and is popular with horse riders.

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On-street bike routeCity open space and parksConservation easement public access

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Playfair jogging trailsMiles: 1.75 total varies depending on route.Elevation gain: LittleSurface: GravelDogs: On leash

Playfair Park has a series of looping trails, 1.75 miles in total,that offer a variety of options for trail users. The perimeter trail is 1.4miles. The east and west loops are 0.6 miles each. The south loopis 0.5 miles. The trails are all relatively flat except for short lengthswhere the trail climbs up or down the parks stormwater levees.Dogs are welcome on the trails but must be leashed, and ownersmust remove their pets waste. The trails are great for walking,jogging and easy bicycling. Access the trails from parking lots onBancroft and Pattee Creek Drive. See map on Page 10.

South Avenue TrailMiles: 2Elevation gain: NoneDogs: Under voice control

Connects Fort Missoula and its historical museum complex, baseball and soccer fields and the Community Medical Center complex toMaclay Bridge and the Bitterroot River. The trail is a smooth asphaltsurface. The Fort Missoula Athletic Complex has its own network ofpaths and jogging routes among the playing fields.

South Missoula trails

Larchmont TrailMiles: 3/4 mileElevation gain: None

Part of the citys commuter link along Larchmont Golf Course,following South Reserve Street from Old Fort Road to Old Highway 93.

Fitness Loop at Fort Missoula

Miles: 0.9 main, .55 addition, with .13 connector trailElevation gain: NoneSurface: gravelDogs: On leash when sports fields are in use

for league play.

This loop trail can be accessed from the parking areas offSouth Avenue and Fort Missoula Drive. It surrounds the softballdiamonds in the park and connects trail users to archery range,Bark Park (dogs can be off leash inside the fenced area),horseshoe pits and tennis courts.

Bitterroot Branch TrailMiles: McDonald to Livingston streets

two-thirds of a mile; Milwaukee Road right-of-way to North Avenue two milesElevation gain: NoneDogs: On leash

The city is working to acquire a 2,500-foot gap in the trail between North Avenueand Livingston Street. It provides access between Southgate Mall and the Safewaygrocery store as part of the Missoula Commuter Bike Network.


Pedestrian only trailMulti-use trailOn-street bike laneOn-street bike routeCity open space and parksConservation easement public accessConservation easement no public accessU.S. Forest Service public access

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RavenwoodPark Trail

Miles: 3/4 mileElevation gain: UnknownDogs: On leash

The trail winds through aravine and meadow betweenGharrett Street andMeadowood Lane in MissoulasSouth Hills. It features giantponderosa pine trees andnatural understory growth.

Meadow HillTrail

Miles: 0.93Elevation Gain: LittleSurface: 0.7 Asphalt,0.23 gravel/earthDogs: On leash

The Meadow Hill Trailconnects a string of parks inthe South Hills via paved andnatural surfaces. These trailsare open to all forms ofnonmotorized transportation.The main trail connectsWapikiya and Honeysuckleparks. This trail was recentlyexpanded and paved toprovide a better bicycle/pedestrian connection toMeadow Hill Middle School andparks. The trail is relatively flatexcept in areas where itdeviates from the top ofstormwater levees. The othernatural surface trail heads uphilland through Homestead Parkand connects toneighborhoods and trails to the south.

gully. The north end of the gullyis developed into a traditionalpark, but as the trail heads upthe hill to the south it enters anarea rich in plant and animallife. The forested hillsides andriparian areas provide amplehabitat for birds and animals.The north end of the trail canbe found in Garland Park at thecorner of Garland Drive and23rd Street. The trail ends atHillview Way just north of ChiefCharlo School.

Peery Park,Moose CanGully trails

Miles: 0.92Elevation gain: Peery Park

Trail very slight. Moose CanGully Trail about 60 feet

Surface: EarthDogs: On leash

The trails through PeeryPark and Moose Can Gully taketrail users through two differentnatural areas in the South Hills.The 0.33-mile trail in Peery Parktakes users through anundeveloped hillside prairie. Aparking area can be found onthe west end of the trail offPeery Park Drive. The east endof the trail connects to theMoose Can Gully Trail. MooseCan Gully is a natural drainagethat remains amid thedeveloped hillsides. This trail isa 0.58-mile earth surface forpedestrians only. It climbsabout 60 feet in elevation,taking hikers along the smallstream that runs down the

High ParkLoop

Miles: 1/3 mileElevation gain: ModerateSurface: DirtDogs: On leash

Looking north from theslopes of the South Hills, HighPark Loop offers an amazingview of the Missoula Valley. Thepark itself is an undevelopednatural area betweenresidential blocks. Deerfrequent the park in the earlymorning.

T he South Hills areaenjoys a well-connectedseries of trails andsidewalks that make it easierfor people to get aroundwithout a car. The main off-street trail connections arefeatured here. There are othersmaller neighborhood and parkconnections that help create aweb of bicycle/pedestrianconnections throughout thearea. The neighborhoods havealso developed undevelopedstreet rights of way and alleysas some of the main north-south trail connections.


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Pedestrian only trailMulti-use trailOn-street bike laneOn-street bike route

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South Hillstrail system

Kim Williams Nature Trail

Miles: 2.5Elevation gain: NoneDogs: On leash within 300 yards of trailhead and where posted

Feel like getting away from it all, but dont have time to leavetown? Take a walk, run, bicycle ride or horseback ride down the KimWilliams Nature Trail, the easternmost segment of the riverfront city

See Page 14for connecting trailsto Pattee Canyon.

Mount Sentinel trailsHIKE BIKE RUN

12 Missoulian, Sunday, June 9, 2013

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park and trail system.Named in remembrance of Missoula naturalist Kim Williams, the trail

follows the old Milwaukee Railroad grade through a 134-acre naturalarea in Hellgate Canyon. Its a good example of a Rails to Trails project an abandoned railroad right-of-way converted to a trail.

The Kim Williams Trail a good choice for people with smallchildren and those not interested in or capable of a strenuous outing.Youll find plenty to enjoy along the way. The river is to the north,Mount Sentinel towers above you to the south, and diverse riparianplant communities provide valuable wildlife habitat.

Hikers and equestrians can travel from the Kim Williams Trail tothe top of Mount Sentinel on the Hellgate Canyon Trail.

Hellgate Canyon Trail

Miles: 2.1Elevation gain: 1,600 feet (from 3,200 to 4,800 feet)Dogs: On leash within 300 yards of trailhead and where posted

This route on the north face of Mount Sentinel offers hikingopportunities on the periphery of Missoula. The trail links the KimWilliams Nature Trail in Hellgate Canyon with the Crazy Canyon Trail,which extends from Pattee Canyon to the top of Mount Sentinel.

Using this trail, you can take a Hellgate Canyon-Mount Sentinelloop hike. The Hellgate Trail isnt as steep as the M trail and routesabove the M, so you might prefer to start your hike on the KimWilliams Nature Trail.

About one mile down the Kim Williams Trail, watch for a narrowpath that heads off to the right (south). Follow this well-worn path forabout three-quarters of a mile until you encounter tread. A section ofthe trail takes you the rest of the distance up the mountain to theconnection with Crazy Canyon Road.

Youll pass through the area burned by the 1985 Hellgate Canyonfire and have great views of the Clark Fork River, East Missoula,Missoula and the Rattlesnake.

From the connection with Crazy Canyon Road, its a steepquarter-mile climb to the top of Sentinel and a 1.5-mile hike down thewest face of the mountain to the M trailhead.

Bicyclists should note that the Hellgate Canyon Trail, like otherroutes on the west face of Sentinel, is not open to bicycles.

M Trail

Miles: 3/4 mile to M; 1 3/4 miles to top of Mount SentinelElevation gain: 620 feet to M (from 3,200 feet to 3,820 feet).

1,958 feet to top of Mount Sentinel (3,200 feet to 5,158 feet)Dogs: On leash

The M on the west face of Mount Sentinel has been a Missoulalandmark since 1908, when Forestry Club members forged a zigzagtrail up the mountain and students carried up stones to shape thesymbol of the University of Montana.

Time brought several transformations to the M. In 1912, awooden letter replaced the one made of stone. When the woodenM was blown off the mountain in 1915, it was replaced with a morepermanent, larger stone M. That structure remained until 1968,when it was replaced with the concrete M we see today.

A hike to the M is a favorite Missoula outing for people of allages. After just a few minutes on the trail, you begin to get a birds-eye view of the University of Montana. As you gain elevation, the viewexpands to include the Missoula Valley, the Clark Fork River anddistant mountains.

While the trail is less than a mile long, the hike can be quitestrenuous youll climb a steep path with 11 switchbacks.

Most people make the M their final destination, but you cancontinue to climb for about another mile on one of two routes to thetop of Mount Sentinel. The view from the top of the mountain is evenmore exquisite. To the north, across Hellgate Canyon, youll seeMount Jumbo and the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area andWilderness. To the south, you can see the Bitterroot Mountains.

From the top of Sentinel, you can retrace your steps to the base ofthe mountain or follow the Crazy Canyon Trail into Pattee Canyon. Orfollow the Hellgate Canyon Trail linking the Crazy Canyon Trail with theKim Williams Trail.

Mount Sentinel Fire Road

Length: 1.79 milesElevation gain: LevelDogs: On leash within 300 yards of trailhead and private property,

and where posted

The Fire Road traverses the face of Mount Sentinel from abovethe M south to Pattee Canyon.

Access is at the south end of Maurice Avenue near the UniversityVillages Community Center or from a trailhead located adjacent to autility substation about three-quarters of a mile up Pattee CanyonDrive from South Higgins Avenue. Both trailheads have very short,steep ascents to the Fire Road, but the trail then levels out andfollows the contour of the mountain. The trail offers beautiful views ofthe city and Mount Sentinel.

The Fire Road joins the Mo Z and Pengelly Ridge trails for steepclimbs to Sentinels summit. For a less strenuous hike, continuesouth and then east on the Fire Road to the Crooked Trail to PatteeCanyon.

Mo Z Trail

Length: 1.16 miles to Sentinel Fire Road.Elevation gain: 600 feet (from 3,280 feet to 3,880 feet)Dogs: On leash within 300 yards of trailhead and private property,

and where posted

The Mo Z trail was constructed to afford mountain bikers a moreaccessible route to the top of Mount Sentinel. The long switchbackswill give you plenty of time to enjoy great views of the city and a widevariety of wildflowers. Because the trail is shared by hikers andbikers, cyclists should exercise caution. Downhill traffic should yieldto uphill traffic at all times.

Access the Mo Z trail from the south end of the Sentinel FireRoad.

Pengelly Ridge Trail

Length: 1.76 milesElevation gain: 1,050 feet (from 4,000 feet to 5,050 feet)Dogs: On leash within 300 yards of trailhead and private property,

and where posted

The Pengelly Ridge Trail is a challenging climb to the top ofMount Sentinel and offers wonderful views of Pattee Canyon. Onyour way up, look for the rock cairn and painted rocks left by otherhikers. At Sentinels summit, you can continue north toward the Mon the ridgeline trail or head back down on the gentler switchbacksof the Mo Z trail.

Access the Pengelly Ridge Trail from the south end of the SentinelFire Road.


Pattee Canyon Recreation Area


Pattee CanyonRecreation AreaP attee Canyon has been a favorite Missoula recreation spotsince the 1930s, when Civilian Conservation Corpsmembers constructed the first picnic facilities. A downhill skiarea was also in operation in the 1930s.

The Nez Perce and Salish once traveled through this area toavoid Blackfeet attacks in nearby Hellgate Canyon. Pattee Canyonwas named for David Pattee, an early Bitterroot Valley settler andMissoula businessman. Through the years, the area has been amilitary timber reserve and target range, then part of the MissoulaNational Forest (todays Lolo National Forest). It is now the PatteeCanyon Recreation Area.

The recreation area has pleasant picnic grounds shaded bylarge ponderosa pines and a well-developed network of foot,horse, bicycle and cross-country ski trails.

Where dogs are allowed, owners are expected to pack out theirpets wastes.

Crazy Canyon Trail

Miles: 2.9Elevation gain: 1,258 feet (from 3,900 feet to 5,158 feet)Dogs: No restrictions west to city of Missoula land

For a spectacular birds-eye view of Missoula and surroundingmountains and river valleys, dont miss this Lolo Forest trail to thetop of Mount Sentinel. Its a great alternative to the M trail up the mountain, which rises above the city just east of the Universityof Montana.

Crazy Canyon Trail is actually a road thats gated at the trailhead.Motorized traffic isnt allowed beyond this point without a special-usepermit from the Missoula Ranger District. You might encounter somehang gliders who have permits to transport their craft.

Youll climb steadily on the road for the first 2.6 miles, passingthe edge of the 1985 Hellgate Canyon fire. The last stretch is asteep climb to Sentinels 5,158-foot summit. The climb is well worththe view of Hellgate Canyon and the Rattlesnake Mountains to thenorth, Lolo Peak and the Bitterroot Valley and mountains to thesouth, and the city of Missoula below you to the west.

Only foot and horse travel are recommended the last quarter-mile because the terrain is so steep. Hikers who want to continuedown the west face of Sentinel can follow one of two pathways thatconnect with the M trail. But remember, for safety and to preventsoil erosion, mountain bikes are prohibited on the west face ofMount Sentinel.

The Hellgate Canyon Trail branches off Crazy Canyon Trailabout a quarter-mile below the top of Sentinel. It traversesSentinels north face and connects with Kim Williams Trail inHellgate Canyon.

You might also want to explore several unmarked trails thatbranch off the lower reaches of Crazy Canyon Trail to connect withthe Pattee Canyon Picnic Area.

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See CRAZY CANYON, Page 16


Sam Braxton NationalRecreation Trail

Miles: 3.4Elevation gain: 350 feet (from 4,100 feet to 4,450 feet)Dogs: No restrictions

Named after a well-known Missoula skier, bicyclist andoutdoorsman, this trail loops around the southeast portion ofPattee Canyon Recreation Area.

You might want to pick up one of the Lolo National ForestsPattee Canyon brochures before exploring this trail. While the trail issigned, you can be confused easily by old horse-logging skid trailsand other paths that crisscross the area.

Look for giant old-growth western larch and ponderosa pine,Montanas state tree, near the beginning of the trail. Carefulobservers will discover remnants of Missoula homesteads alongthe trail. Savor your journey into the past, but remember theseartifacts are parts of archaeological sites protected by law. Leavefor others to enjoy and study.

The trail begins four miles up Pattee Canyon Road, just off thesouth side parking area. Bear to the right beyond the gate in theparking area and follow the roadway to the trailhead.


Northside trails

Miles: Variable, less than 1 mile to more than 3 milesElevation gain: 100 feet (from 4,100 feet to 4,200 feet)

For an easygoing outing on relatively level terrain, try the area justnorth of Pattee Canyon Picnic Area. Here, a network of unsigned trailstraverses meadow and forest land, all close to the picnic area.

History lovers may take special interest in the meadow. From theearly 1920s until 1940, it was the site of an Army firing range forsoldiers at Fort Missoula. You can still see earthen-mound firing linesthat run north-south through the meadow. At the meadows west end,theres a larger earthen mound backed by a wood retaining wall thetarget butt. Look for soldiers names carved on this wall.

Meadow Loop Trail, one of the most popular routes, skirts themeadows southern edge and continues north through the woods,a 2.2-mile loop hike or bike ride.

In winter, Meadow Loop Trail is a 3.2-mile cross-country ski trail,the extra distance added by the need to ski in from the locked gateto the picnic area. Missoulas Nordic Ski Club maintains this trailand others that run through the picnic area. Dogs and bikes are notallowed on the groomed ski trails in winter.

For a shorter trip, winter or summer, follow one of the pathwaysthrough and around the meadow. For a longer trip, look for anunmarked trail at the meadows northwest corner. It connects with

If you travel 3.1 miles up Pattee Canyon Road from itsintersection with Southwest Higgins Avenue, youll see the trailheadon the left (north) side of the road. Parking space is available for 12cars and two horse trailers.

Crazy CanyonContinued

Southside ski trails

Miles: 2.4Elevation gain: 100 feet (from 4,100 feet to 4,200 feet)Dogs: Not allowed during ski season

Designed specifically for cross-country skiing and groomed by theMissoula Nordic Ski Club, these are some of Missoulas best ski trails.

The main loop is 2.4 miles long, but three cut-off routes allowyou to ski a shorter distance. For a more challenging outing, tryone of the ungroomed trails that connects with the main loop.

Dog owners take note: To maintain a good skiing surface, your pet and bike isnt allowed on these groomed trails during skiseason.

Because they gain only 100 feet in elevation, these are also goodtrails for an easy summer or fall hike, horseback ride or bike ride.

Crazy Canyon Trail to the top of Mount Sentinel.The Picnic Area is just off Pattee Canyon Road, 3.6 miles up

from its intersection with Southwest Higgins Avenue. In summer,park at one of the group picnic sites (open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.).The road into the Picnic Area is closed in winter, but you can parkat the Pattee Canyon main trailhead.

Small groups may use any of the areas 22 family picnic sitesfree of charge. If you have a party of more than 10 people, you mustreserve one of the three group picnic sites (fee required). Phonethe Missoula Ranger District at 329-3814 to reserve a group site.

Missoulian, Sunday, June 9, 2013 17HIKE BIKE RUN

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Forty-two-acre Greenough Park, alongRattlesnake Creek, was donated to the city of Missoula by theGreenough family with the understanding that the area would bemaintained in its natural state.

The main trail, a 1-mile paved walking and bicycling path,circles the park, following the creek for part of the way.Footbridges cross the creek at either end of the park. Severalunpaved trails branch off the main loop to take you through thewoods and along the creek. Bicycles arent allowed on theseunpaved trails.

Thick, riparian vegetation makes Greenough Park a great placeto watch birds within city limits. You can see common residentbirds such as the downy woodpecker, dipper and mountainchickadee as well as red-tailed hawks, black-chinnedhummingbirds, green-winged teal and other summer residents.Occasionally, youll see great blue herons and screech owls.

To the west of the footbridge in the southern part of the park,youll find picnic tables and benches along the creek. Theres a group picnic area on the east side of the park off Monroe Street.

Rattlesnake ValleyT he Rattlesnake Valley, extending north from Missoula, is apleasant and popular area for walking, jogging andbicycling. Rattlesnake Creek, which originates in theRattlesnake Mountains, runs through the valley on the way to itsconfluence with the Clark Fork River.

Passing through lush vegetation along the creek, you have asense of being far away from it all, when in reality youre still withinor just outside town. The northern portion of the valley offers viewsof Mount Jumbo, on the eastern side of the valley, and theRattlesnake Mountains to the north.

You can follow a variety of trails and streets to make loop tripswithin the valley, passing through city parks, natural areas andneighborhoods. Trails and streets willalso take you to the Rattlesnake NationalRecreation Area and Wilderness in theLolo National Forest. Theres a verygradual but consistent gain in elevationas you head north into the valley.

Rattlesnake Valley trailsDogs: On leash

To access more Rattlesnake Valley parksand open space, follow city streets and county roads north ofGreenough Park. Several popular loop routes, delineated on themap, take you through the Bugbee Nature Preserve, Tom GreenMemorial Park and Pineview Park. You can cross RattlesnakeCreek on the Lolo Street Bridge, on a footbridge in Pineview Parkand at the north end of Duncan Drive.

To get to the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area andWilderness from the riverfront, take Van Buren Street/RattlesnakeDrive to Sawmill Gulch Road and turn left (west). Or follow themapped routes north of Greenough Park.

Dogs must be leashed and are not allowed in Bugbee NaturePreserve.

See Page 28 forMount Jumbo trails.


North Hills trails

Miles: Ridge Trail 1.8 miles (fromWaterworks trailhead to Duncan Drive 3 miles); Cherry Gulch Trail 1.1 miles; Fire Line Trail 1.7 miles; Froelich Trail 1.4 miles; Mountainview Trail to RidgeTrail 1.1 miles

Elevation gain: VariesDogs: On leash within 300 yards of

trailhead and private property, and whereposted

Hikers must cross private land toreach the public acreage on the hills thatform Missoulas northern backdrop. Themain access points are a Mountain WaterCo. utility road off Greenough Drive and apath opposite Mountain View Drive,farther up Duncan Drive.

The hillsides feature rare communitiesof cushion plants, including the Missoulaphlox and bitterroots. They also providebirds-eye views of the citys railroadyards, downtown and into the BitterrootValley. Hikers are asked to stay onestablished trails and obey landownersigns and fences. Because of thesensitive ecology of the area, bikers areasked to not use these trails.


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Mount Jumbo trails

Miles: North Loop Trail 3.8 miles; Saddle Trail 1.1 miles;Backbone Trail 1 2.5 miles; L Trail 2/3 mile

Elevation gain: Varies. The Saddle and North Loop areeasiest, at logging-road grade, while others can be very steep.

Dogs: Following are the restrictions on dogs on the trails: North of Saddle closed to dogs and people

Dec. 1-April 30. On leash within 300 yards of trailhead and privateproperty, and where posted May 1-Nov. 30.

South side of Saddle closed to dogs and people Dec. 1-March 15. On leash within 300 yards of trailhead and privateproperty, and where posted March 16-Nov. 30.

Lands below Upper Lincoln Hills Drive, trail to L but notbeyond, and U.S. West easement above Interstate 90 dogsmust be leashed Dec. 1-April 30. On leash within 300 yards oftrailhead and private property, and where posted May 1-Nov. 30.

At all times, dog owners must pick up and pack outyour pets waste.

Missoula voters passed a bond issue to buy most ofthe southwestern face of Mount Jumbo as public openspace in 1995. Large herds of elk and deer winter on thesteep hillsides, and paragliders like to launch from its

summit. Elk feeding activity limits public accessduring the winter. Loyola Sacred Heart High School

has its L initial overlooking the city, and the trailto it is one of the more popular exercise routes.

Access points include Lincoln Hills Road;Poplar, Cherry and Locust streets;

Marshall Mountain Road and WoodsGulch.

Bikes are not allowed at the Poplarand Locust street entrances, as wellas parts of the Backbone (Ridge) Trail.

Call 721-PARK for moreinformation about bikeaccess on MountJumbo.


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F ew communities enjoy a place quite like the 60,000-acre Rattlesnake NationalRecreation Area and Wilderness just north of Missoula. Here, youll find avariety of hiking, backpacking, horseback riding and bicycling opportunities afew miles from town. A well-developed trail network in the Rattlesnakes lower reachesgives you a variety of options for day trips or you can pack overnight gear andventure farther into the high-country wilderness.

You can camp anywhere beyond a three-mile radius from the Rattlesnakes maintrailhead, known as the South Zone (off Sawmill Gulch Road just west of RattlesnakeDrive). But remember: No motorized vehicles are allowed, and bicycles are prohibitedwithin the wilderness boundary.

Despite its name, there have been no verified sightings of rattlesnakes in this area.You will, however, find ample opportunities to view many other wildlife species,including beavers, deer, elk, mountain goats and black bears. During spring and fall,you can see more than 40 bird species.

1. Main Rattlesnake Travel Corridor

2. Spring Gulch/Stuart Peak Trail

3. Woods Gulch/Sheep Mountain Trail

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness

24 Missoulian, Sunday, June 9, 2013HIKE BIKE RUN

Spring Gulch/Stuart Peak Trail

Miles: 12 (7 miles to wilderness boundary)Elevation gain: 3,838 feet (from 3,700 feet to 7,538 feet)Dogs: No dogs are allowed in the area Dec. 1-May 15. During

Main RattlesnakeTravel Corridor

Miles: 15Elevation gain: 1,248 feet (from 3,850 feet to 5,098 feet)Dogs: From the southern national forest boundary north past

the main trailhead to milepost 1.7 and on Ravine Trail 34, there areseasonal restrictions on pets: Dogs are not allowed from Dec. 1 toFeb. 28; dogs must be leashed from March 1 to Nov. 30.

If youre looking for easy access to the Rattlesnake, this is anexcellent choice. The route has no official trail name but iscommonly referred to as the main travel corridor. Its actually anold farm-access and logging road (Forest Road No. 99) that hasbeen closed to public travel by cars and other motor vehicles since1984.

Expect to encounter other people along the corridor: Its afavorite of hikers, bicyclists, runners, equestrians and others. Manyother Rattlesnake trails connect with this main artery, so there areplenty of opportunities for exploration and loop hikes.

The trail is on a wide, gentle grade that runs parallel toRattlesnake Creek. Although the water quality in the creek looksgood, beware: Its a source for the Giardia parasite, so dont drinkit unless you boil it first. The creek is a reserve source of municipalwater for Missoula, so it is especially important to protect waterquality. Use the toilets near the trailhead or bury human waste andtissue well away from the stream.

Throughout the main valley and Spring Gulch, you can seeevidence of homesites established more than a century ago andvacated in the 1930s. Look for building foundations and oldorchards with a few scraggly apple trees remaining.

You have a good chance of seeing mountain goats on cliffsabove Rattlesnake Creek at Franklin Bridge, about eight miles upthe trail. Elk Meadows, at the 12-mile point, is a popular destinationfor horseback riders. Theres forage here, and you can easily makeday trips into the wilderness.

The road ends at about the 15-mile point, but severalconnecting trails will take you farther into the RattlesnakeWilderness. Remember that bicycles are prohibited in thewilderness.

The travel corridor begins at the main Rattlesnake trailhead, onSawmill Gulch Road just west of Rattlesnake Drive. To get there, gofour miles north of the intersection of Interstate 90 and Van BurenStreet/Rattlesnake Drive.

the remaining months, dogs must be on a leash from theconfluence of Spring Creek and Rattlesnake Creek to milepost 1.3.

Another popular Rattlesnake route, Stuart Peak Trail branchesoff the main travel corridor at about the half-mile mark. For the nextthree miles, you follow an old farm lane along Spring Gulch. After awinding, steep climb for another four miles, you reach thewilderness boundary, near Stuart Peak.

At 7,960 feet, Stuart Peak is one of the Rattlesnakes highestpoints, offering great views of adjacent peaks and the MissoulaValley. Theres no designated trail to the peak, but you can reach itby traveling cross-country for about a mile. From this vantagepoint, you can drop down to Twin Lakes or get back on the trail andhead farther into the high country.

The trail continues northward past the Lake Creek drainage,which contains six lakes, and then descends past three more lakesinto the Wrangle Creek drainage, where it joins the main travelcorridor 15 miles from the trailhead.

Most of the high-country lakes have been stocked with cutthroattrout. However, there are no fish in Twin Lakes or Farmers Lakes.

Youd be wise to carry plenty of water on this hike. Itsdemanding, and you cant always count on finding water along theway. If you do drink surface water, the Forest Service recommendsthat you boil or filter it first.

And please, tread lightly in this unique area. Because of itsproximity to town, the Rattlensake receives a lot of use. Try to campwhere there are established fire rings, pack out all that you carry in and be courteous to others you might encounter on the trail.

Woods Gulch/Sheep Mountain Trail

Miles: 11 miles to Sheep MountainElevation gain: 3,846 feet (from 3,800 feet to 7,646 feet)Dogs: No restrictions

To explore one of the less-traveled portions of the Rattlesnake, try Sheep Mountain Trail, on the recreation areas southern boundary. Start at the trailhead on Woods Gulch Road, east ofRattlesnake Drive.

The trail rises steeply through Woods Gulch for the first twomiles, then ascends the ridge on a gentler grade for nine moremiles. The main attraction is the continuous panorama ofsurrounding mountains and valleys.

Blue Point, just a short distance off the trail about four milesbefore Sheep Mountain, is a good stopping-off point for scenicviews. Theres no trail to Blue Point, but cross-country access iseasy.

Sheep Mountain Trail is high and dry so carry plenty ofwater.

For an overnight trip, you can continue north from SheepMountain and follow the East Fork Trail (No. 1531), which intersectsthe main travel corridor near Franklin Bridge. From the bridge, itseight miles back to the main Rattlesnake trailhead.



Sawmill/Currytrail system

Miles: 10Elevation gain: 995 feet (from

3,920 feet to 4,915 feet)Dogs: Prohibited year-round

The Sawmill Gulch-Curry Gulcharea was acquired by the LoloNational Forest in 1986 byexchanging land with a privatelandowner.

A network of trails that hasdeveloped over more than a centurycrisscrosses the area. Somepathways were made byprospectors, settlers and theirlivestock in the late 1800s. Others aresteep skid roads left by woodcutterssalvaging timber after a fire early inthe 1900s. Gentler, wider roads wereleft through timber-harvest areas in the 1960s and 1970s.

You can select a number of routesthrough this part of the Rattlesnake,depending on your interests,available time and stamina. Just upfrom the Sawmill Gulch trailhead, youcan follow a short loop past an oldranch site. The old Curry Cabin isnear a trail farther to the north.

Just south of the Curry Cabin, atrail down Curry Gulch connects withone of two trails that run parallel toSpring Gulch. Either of these SpringGulch trails will take you to the maintravel corridor.

The trail farthest to the north in theSawmill-Curry System joins StuartPeak Trail about three miles south ofthe wilderness boundary. From thisintersection, you can continue northtoward Stuart Peak or head backdown through Spring Gulch.

Depending on what trail youre on,you can enjoy some great views intothe Grant Creek area, other parts ofthe Rattlesnake or the MissoulaValley.

The Sawmill-Curry trailhead issmall and has no turn-around spacefor vehicles with trailers. To get there,go 1.2 miles past the mainRattlesnake trailhead parking area on Sawmill Gulch Road.

HIKE BIKE RUN

Blue Mountain Recreation Area



Blue Mountain Nature TrailMiles: 1/4 mile loopElevation gain: 50 feet

(from 3,650 feet to 3,700 feet)Dogs: No restrictions

This popular trail is a stopping-off point on your way up ForestRoad No. 365 to the Blue Mountain lookout. One of the fewMissoula-area trails with interpretive information on-site, its also apopular destination for individuals, families, school classes andother groups interested in environmental education.

The path is on a fairly level grade, making it quite accessible toyoung children and people not interested in or able to take morestrenuous hikes.

Numbered wooden posts along the trail mark points of interest,and a pocket-sized brochure furnishes corresponding interpretiveinformation. You can learn about prescribed fire, Glacial LakeMissoula, forest recycling, Montanas state tree, and aboutlichen, kinnickinnick, ninebark, serviceberry and many other plants.

Midway down the trail, youll come upon a rock outcrop wheretheres a vista of distant mountains, the Missoula Valley and theBitterroot River winding toward its confluence with the Clark Fork.There is wheelchair access from the trailhead to this viewing area.Be sure to stop at the sign showing a photographic panorama ofthis view it identifies all the peaks in your range of sight.

The trail starts about two miles up Forest Road No. 365.Vandals continue to remove Forest Service signs that direct you tothe trailhead, so look for it to the right (east) side of the road justbefore a switchback. Youll see a trailhead sign a few feet down thepath. There isnt a parking lot here, but three to four cars can beparked along the road.

You can generally get one of the Nature Trail interpretivebrochures at the trailhead sign but because the supply issometimes depleted, its a good idea to pick one up from an areaVisitor Center. The Lolo National Forest Visitor Center is at FortMissoula, just a short distance from Highway 93 and ReserveStreet on your way out of town.

Blue Mountain Recreation Area

Maclay Flat Interpretive TrailMiles: 1.25 mile and 1.8 mile loopsElevation gain: NoneDogs: Leash required; pack out waste

For an easygoing outing beyond the city limits,try the trail at Maclay Flat. The path is wide, leveland surfaced to accommodate wheelchairs. It takes you along theBitterroot River and through adjacent meadows, with some greatviews of mountains around Missoula.

You can learn a lot along the way: 16 interpretive signsdescribe the river system, wildlife, vegetation and archaeology ofthis area.

A cut-off trail gives you the option to go 1.25 or 1.8 miles.Traveling in a clockwise direction, you pass huge cottonwood andponderosa pine trees. Be observant and you may see evidence ofporcupine and beaver. Also look for wood duck nesting boxesattached to trees and for bluebird boxes on fence posts.

About a third of a mile down the trail, youll come to a flatgrassy area along the river a good picnicking spot. There arealso some fishing spots along this stretch of the river.

You have an excellent chance of seeing bald eagles, osprey,blue herons, mallards, red-tailed hawks and white-tailed deer atMaclay Flat. At the southern edge of the meadow, along theirrigation ditch, listen for the songs of meadowlarks and look forred-winged blackbirds. Depending on the time of year, you cansee a variety of wildflowers and other plants.

The parking area and trailhead are a short distance west of theroad up Blue Mountain. To get there, go about two miles south ofReserve Street on Highway 93, turn right at the Montana AthleticClub and follow Blue Mountain Road (County Road No. 30) forabout 1.5 miles. Youll see the parking area on the right.

You can also approach from the north on Blue Mountain Road.From this direction, the trailhead is about two miles south ofMaclay Bridge.

Youll find wheelchair-accessible restrooms at the parking area.Theres also a carry-in board ramp 200 yards from the parking area.The ramp is wheelchair-accessible. Note that horses and bicyclesarent allowed on this trail, and you must keep dogs on a leash.

A number of community groups have cooperated with the LoloNational Forest over the years to develop this addition toMissoulas trail system.

T he 5,500-acre Blue MountainRecreation Area, just two milessouthwest of Missoula, is anotherclose-to-town area to explore. The LoloNational Forest worked closely withMissoula-area recreation groups toestablish this areas trail system and otherrecreational facilities.

Blue Mountain is one of the few peaksaround Missoula that can be reached by

road, and youll find breathtaking views and aforest-fire lookout at roads end. The areaalso features off-road trails for hikers,equestrians, bicyclists, people in wheelchairs

and ATV enthusiasts.To accommodate this diversity of uses,

recreationists helped develop trailclasses that specify which type of use ispermitted on each trail. Because of thevariety of trail users at Blue Mountain, itsespecially important to follow the rules oftrail courtesy.

Dogs area allowed in the area, but petowners must pack out their waste.

See Page 26 for Blue MountainRecreation Area map.

Missoulian, Sunday, June 9, 2013 29Missoulian, Sunday, June 9, 2013 23HIKE BIKE RUN

Motor vehicle trailsMiles: 12Elevation gain: 2,460 feet (from 4,000 feet to 6,460 feet)Dogs: No restrictions

Blue Mountain is one of the few places near Missoulathat has motorcycle and four-wheeled ATV trails. Themotorcycle/ATV trailhead is three miles up Forest Road No. 365 onthe left (south) side of the road.

An extensive network of trails originates at this trailhead,providing access to the southern portion of the recreation area.Like other Blue Mountain trails, those in this network are classifiedto accommodate different trail uses. ATV-ers can use four miles oftrail here. Motorcyclists can use the ATV trails as well as anothereight miles of trails. (See map on Pages 34-35.)

Bicyclists, equestrians and hikers can use all of the trails in thisnetwork, but many prefer other Blue Mountain routes wheremotorized vehicles are not allowed. One such trail begins at themotorcycle-ATV trailhead and continues east for about two milesto the National Recreation Trail trailhead at the base of BlueMountain.

Several of the motor-vehicle trails pass over or near HayesCreek, where youll find stands of western red cedar. Hayes Pointis a popular destination in this part of the recreation area, and itcan be accessed by both motorcycle and ATV.

Deadman Ridge Trail to Blue Mountain lookout is another

Forest Roads No. 365 and No. 2137

(to Blue Mountain Lookout)

Miles: 11Elevation gain: 3,260 feet (from 3,200 feet

to 6,460 feet)Dogs: No restrictions

A drive on Forest Road No. 365 up Blue Mountain will give yousome tremendous views of the Missoula Valley and, at the righttime of the year, an opportunity to visit a working Forest Servicelookout.

The road heads west off Blue Mountain Road (County Road 30)about 1.25 miles from the intersection with Highway 93 South. Onthe way up the mountain, notice the different vegetative zones. Atfirst, you pass through open, parklike ponderosa pine stands, thenDouglas fir-ponderosa pine, and, finally, Douglas fir-western larch.

Trailheads for Blue Mountains motorcycle-ATV trail network anda short self-guided natural trail are situated along this road. Youcan access the areas National Recreation Trail from several pointsalong the roadway.

At about the 9.5-mile mark, look for a road that branches off tothe left. This is Forest Road No. 2137, which takes you to thelookout. The lookout is in service through the fire season (usuallyJuly and August). At other times, the gate is locked.

You can climb steps all the way to the top of the lookout duringfire season and if the lookout is on duty and has time, he or shewill often give you a tour.

The scenery from this vantage point is breathtaking. Youll havea memorable view of Lolo Peak, a landmark on the Missoulahorizon, and the impressive pinnacles of the Selway-BitterrootWilderness to the south and west. On a clear day, you can see theMission Mountains to the northwest.

If you take a tour, please remember that the lookout is on thejob. Dont overstay your welcome and be considerate if a fireemergency demands the lookouts attention.

A gate a quarter-mile below the lookout is closed during theoffseason, restricting motor-vehicle access to the lookout.However, you can still walk or bike up to the lookout.

In winter, the first mile of Forest Road No. 365 is normally opento provide access to skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers, but nomotor-vehicle traffic (except snowmobiling) is permitted beyond alocked gate at this point. A hill just below the gate is a favoritesledding and tubing spot for Missoulians of all ages.

Blue Mountain NationalRecreation Trail

Miles: 7Elevation gain: 3,260 feet (from 3,200 feet to 6,460 feet)Dogs: No restrictions

Theres opportunity for both day and overnight trips on this trailfrom the base of Blue Mountain to the lookout. You can start fromthe trailhead on Blue Mountain Road or go up Forest Road No.365 to points where the road intersects or passes near the trail.Remember, this trail is closed to mountain bike use.

Signs are scarce, but the route has been marked with blazeson trees. Be sure to look for these blazes numerous old loggingroads and skid trails crisscross Blue Mountain, and this can be adifficult trail to follow. You wont find water along the way, so takeenough to last your entire trip.

Dont let these words of caution discourage you from trying thistrail. It passes through some fine country with occasional views ofthe Missoula Valley and Bitterroot River. In fact, its a favorite oflocal equestrians. Backcountry Horsemen of Missoula sponsorsan annual trail ride and clearing to help with maintenance. Thisgroup also helped develop the trail.

Hikers often take a one-way trip up or down the trail byarranging a shuttle.

You can camp and build a campfire west of Forest Road No.365 above milepost 4.5 on Road No. 365.

The trailhead (also called the horse-loading facility) is on BlueMountain Road, just one mile north of its intersection with U.S.Highway 93.

favorite, but because of its difficulty, it should be used only byexpert motorcyclists. ATVs are not permitted on this trail.

If youre planning to try these trails, pick up a Blue MountainRecreation Area brochure from a Forest Service or Chamber ofCommerce visitor center. The brochure provides more detailedinformation on what uses are permitted on different trails in thisnetwork.

Theres ample parking and a loading ramp at the trailhead.Remember that if your vehicle isnt licensed for street use, youmust transport it to the trailhead with a licensed vehicle. Off-roadmotor vehicles must be equipped with spark arresters and ridersmust have a bucket and shovel. Helmets suffice for buckets andmany people carry small folding shovels.


Clearwater River Canoe TrailSeeley Lake Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Use: CanoeDifficulty: EasiestTrail Length: 3.5 miles along canoe route (one-way); 1 mile

hike to return to canoe launch.Start: Canoe launch off of Forest RoadFinish: Canoe landing at the Seeley Lake Ranger Station.Directions: Turn west off of Highway 83 approximately

3.7 miles north of the town of Seeley Lake onto Forest Road 17597;go 0.7 miles to the trailhead. (Road 17597 is about 1 mile north ofthe Seeley Lake Ranger Station). To access the take-out, turn intothe Ranger station compound and proceed to the south end of theranger station building, then continue east to the lake shore andtake-out area.

The canoe trail follows a slow-moving, meandering stretch ofthe Clearwater River upstream of Seeley Lake. The 3.5 miledistance, going with the slight current, can be canoed at a leisurelypace in about 2 hours. There are no rapids, but be on the lookoutfor downfall trees. The river empties into the northern end of SeeleyLake. From the mouth of the river, travel east to the Seeley Lake

Ranger Stationand the canoetake-out. The trailis suitable forcanoes andtouring kayaks.Motorizedwatercraft areallowed, but anowake speedlimit is in effect forthe river portion ofthe trail.

There isparking at thetrailhead at theend of ForestRoad 17597 and atthe take-out areafor approximatelysix vehicles;outdoor toilets areprovided at both

the launch and the takeout. Drinking water is not available.You can take a one-mile hiking trail back to the canoe trail

trailhead, eliminating the need to shuttle vehicles.

Short trips from Missoula

TH

Seeley Lake

Clearw

ater River

Takeout

Seeley LakeRanger Station

ClearwaterCanoe Trail

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17597

Bo

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Hiking trail

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Cha-paa-qn

Miles: 3.5 miles on Reservation Divide Trail; 2.2 miles on Sleeping Woman TrailElevation gain: Reservation Divide Trail, 1,836 feet (from 6,158 to

7,994 feet); Sleeping Woman Trail, 2,296 feet (from 5,698 to 7,994 feet)

On Missoulas western horizon, a lone mountain rises to a delicate, symmetricalpoint. This is Cha-paa-qn (its Salish for treeless peak or shining peak), on theboundary of Lolo National Forests Ninemile Ranger District and theFlathead Indian Reservation. The areas many interesting features makeit a prime destination for a day trip.

Its less than a one-hour drive from Missoula to the historicNinemile Ranger Station and Remount Depot. Here, you canlearn about a fascinating chapter of Forest Service history:How mules were used, and continue to be used, to fightforest fires and accomplish backcountry work.

Be sure to stop at the ranger stations visitorcenter and historic buildings. You can take aself-guided tour with a brochure/mapavailable at the visitor center.

From the ranger station, you candrive 10 miles up Edith Peak Road(Forest Road No. 476) to theReservation Divide trailhead.This trail is only 3.5 mileslong, and its a relativelyeasy hike.

The trail doesnot climb directlyto the summit ofCha-paa-qn, butyou can scrambleover rocks andboulders to thetop. Youll enjoy agreat view in alldirections from thispinnacle. The MissionMountains and FlatheadReservation are to the north andwest, and you can see east andsouth into the Frenchtown, Missoulaand Bitterroot valleys.

You have a good chance of seeingwildlife. Red-tailed hawks, golden eagles and other birds of prey are common along thedivide, as are pikas, small mammals that inhabit thetalus slopes above timberline (listen for their peculiarsqueaks). Depending on the time of year, you can also seebeargrass and a variety of wildflowers and pick somehuckleberries.

Sleeping Woman Trail (No. 707) is a shorter but steeper routeto Cha-paa-qn. The trailhead is on Forest Road No. 2178, about 11 miles from the Ranger Station. This 2.8-mile-long trail connects with theReservation Divide Trail.

A third route, up Kennedy Creek Trail (No. 746), is about eight mileslong. The Kennedy Creek trailhead is about 14 miles from the ranger stationon Road No. 5507.

Other points of interest in the vicinity include Lolo Forests Grand Menard picnic area anddisabled-accessible interpretive trail, an old Civilian Conservation Corps campsite and KreisPond, a good swimming hole on a hot day.

From Missoula, the ranger station is about 23 miles west on Interstate 90, then 4.5 miles north on Highway 10 and Remount Road.


North Summit/Lolo Peak

Miles: 5.5 miles to North Summit; 6.5 miles to Lolo Peak

Elevation gain: North Summit, 2,894feet (from 5,800 to 8,694 feet); Lolo Peak,3,296 feet (from 5,800 to 9,096 feet)

Dogs: No restrictions

North Summit is the magnificentmountain towering above the MissoulaValley to the southwest. Its oftenmistaken for Lolo Peak, which is behind itbut not visible from some parts of thevalley.

Either of these peaks is a gooddestination if you want to get into the highcountry around Missoula. Plan for astrenuous, all-day trip. Depending onwhether you head for North Summit orLolo Peak, its a 2,900- or 3,300-footclimb. The trail is steep, with an averagegrade of 23 percent and 30 percent to 40 percent grades along some sections.

Youll be rewarded with a spectacularview into the adjacent Selway-BitterrootWilderness and the Missoula Valley.Carlton Lake, below the two peaks, is agood place to take a rest or set up campfor the night.

Start at the Mormon saddle onMormon Peak Road, 8.5 miles fromHighway 12. Follow Lolo Peak Trail (No.1311). As you gain elevation, notice thatthe vegetation is changing fromlodgepole pine and alpine fir to alpine larch.This species of larch is unique to highelevations in the Northwest, and this is theonly place youll find it in the Lolo ForestsMissoula Ranger District.

After about four miles, youll come toCarlton Ridge, elevation 8,252 feet. CarltonLake, North Summit and Lolo Peak arevisible from here, but there are nodeveloped trails to either peak. However, thecountry is quite open and it wont be difficultto find your way. Depending on your route,its about 1.5 miles to North Summit and 2.5miles to Lolo Peak. Youll be scramblingover rocks for much of this distance.

You may notice a primitive road endingat Carlton Lake.

Mormon Peak Road ends about one milebeyond the Mormon saddle at the summit ofMormon Peak. This road is closed to motor-vehicle traffic from Dec. 1-May 15 to reducedisturbance of elk on winter range. Usually,the trail isnt clear of snow until early July.

HIKE BIKE RUN


L eave your stress behind. You will find this spectacular 1.6 million-acre forest in southwest Montana and Idaho tobe a priceless piece of our national heritage. Half of theforest is dedicated to the largest expanse of continuous pristinewilderness in the lower 48 states the Selway-Bitterroot, FrankChurch River of No Return and the Anaconda Pintler wildernessareas. Much of its beauty can be attributed to the heavilyglaciated, rugged peaks of the Bitterroot Range. Drainagescarved by glaciers form steep canyons that open into the valleyfloor. Breathtaking scenery is provided by these 30 deep, rocky,glaciated canyons breaking the sharp face of the BitterrootRange at regular intervals to the west. Much of this rugged rangeis wilderness.

To the east, the Sapphire Range presents a gentler horizon.The forest has plentiful big game, high-quality water andbackcountry recreation opportunities including wild rivers, 26 developed campgrounds, eight rental cabins and lookouts,and more than 1,500 miles of trails. For more information visitwww.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot.

Hiking and horsetrails on Bitterroot National Forest

PERRY BACKUS/Ravalli Republic

Blodgett Canyon


Bass Creek Trail No. 4Stevensville Ranger District

Miles: 2.5 (West end of Charles Waters Memorial Campground toSelway-Bitterroot Wilderness boundary)Elevation gain: 830 feetDifficulty: ModerateUse: Heavy

Approximately 2 miles up the trail is a small 4-acre pondcreated by an old log dam. The dam was severely damaged by ahuman-caused fire in 1977. One-half mile beyond the pond, alarge boulder is located between the trail and stream. In February1978 this rock dislodged from the cliffs above and fell more than1,000 feet to the valley below. One can still see the path it createdIts an impressive lesson in geology.

There are several dispersed camping sites located along thissection of trail, offering close spots to set up fishing or huntingcamps. When leaving camp, make sure to pack out everything youpacked in.

The trail is fairly gentle, with most grades averaging 10 percentto 20 percent. Although there are a few spots with 30 percent to 40 percent slopes. Trail No. 4 offers pleasant day hikes and fishingaccess, or the option of a longer trip into the Selway-BitterrootWilderness.

Other Opportunities: The trailhead offers adequateparking, hitching rails, stock loading ramp and garbage can.Toilets and campground units are available at adjacent CharlesWaters Memorial Campground. This is a mainline trail whichfollows an old jeep road to Bass Lake. The trail parallels the creek

for most of its length so there is ample stock water available. Thereis little or no forage along the lower reaches of this trail.

Please note this trail is closed yearlong to motorized vehicles.Access: From Stevensville take the Stevi cut-off road to U.S.

Highway 93. Travel north 3.7 miles and turn west (left) onto BassCreek Road. Travel approximately 2 miles. Trailhead is located justpast the campground.

Parking and Camping: Bass Creek Trailhead hasadequate parking for both cars and trailers. It offers access toBass Creek Trail No. 4 and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.Facilities include hitching rails and a stock ramp.

Blodgett Creek Trail No. 19Stevensville Ranger District

Miles: 6 (to wilderness boundary)Elevation gain: 1,180 feetDifficulty: ModerateUse: Heavy

The trail follows the stream offering numerous fishing andpicnic spots. There are many dispersed campsites located alongthe trail. The canyon is also frequented by rock climbers testingtheir skill on the south-facing walls.

Forage is somewhat limited along the first 3 miles of the trail.Above the 3-mile bridge the trail passes through several meadowswith ample forage. Stock water is available along the entire lengthof the trail.

See BLODGETT CREEK, Page 37

Approximately 4 miles up the trail is a series of cascadesadjacent to the trail. Moss-covered rocks and wildflowersincluding; monkeyflower, lupine, shooting stars and others givethis area added attraction for photographers.

About 1 mile before the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness boundary,trail No. 303 branches off the main Blodgett Canyon Trail. Trail No.303 provides access to the High Lake area. This low-maintenancetrail is steep, climbing nearly 2,000 feet in less than 2 miles. Thosewilling to tackle the climb will find a beautiful alpine lake. Anglersmay have some luck fishing for rainbow trout which were plantedby Montana Fish, Wildlife and Game.

Blodgett Creek Trail is closed to motorized vehicles yearlongunder authority of the current Bitterroot National Forest Travel Plan.

Attractions and considerations: Trailhead facilitiesinclude stock loading ramp and hitching rail. The adjacentBlodgett Canyon Campground offers tables, fire grills, toilets andample parking. There is limited firewood in the camping area. Thetrail parallels the stream providing water for stock. There is verylittle forage in lower sections but availability improves beyond the 3 mile mark.

Access: From Hamilton take County Road No. 68 west for3.1 miles. At the junction with Forest Road 736 travel northwest for2 miles to the trailhead.

Blodgett CreekContinued

See Page 36 for Mill Creek Trail information.



Mill Creek Trail No. 364Stevenville Ranger District

Miles: 2.5 (to wilderness boundary)Elevation gain: 340 feetDifficulty: Easy to moderateUse: Medium

Mill Creek Trail parallels the stream for its entire length. Alongthe first mile visitors will notice an irrigation flume, carrying water toone of the many ditches in the valley. The lower stretch of the trailclimbs through an impressive area with high cliffs and numerousrock slides. There are many opportunities for photographs in thisarea. Hikers may find some productive huckleberry patches and anoccasional thimbleberry bush. There are several dispersedcamping sites in close proximity to the stream. Fishing for nativecutthroat in early summer is said to be fair. Trail No. 364 providesaccess to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness for hikers and horseusers interested in extended trips.

Attractions and considerations: Mill Creek Trailhead hasadequate parking for both cars and trailers. Trailhead includeshitchrail and loading ramp.

Access: From Stevensville take the Stevi cut-off road to U.S.Highway 93. Travel south (left) 14.8 miles and turn west (right) ontoDutch Hill Road. Go 2.5 miles and turn south (left) at BowmanRoad. Go 0.3 miles and take the second right onto Mill Creek TrailRoad. Follow 0.7 miles to the trailhead.

Boulder Creek Trail No. 617West Fork Ranger District

Miles: 9.7 Elevation gain: 2,960 feetDifficulty: ModerateUse: Heavy

The Boulder Creek Trail takeoff at Sam Billings Campgroundhas sanitation and stock-handling facilities, a wildernessinformation sign and registration box. The trail runs along the creekbottom through a glaciated canyon. These canyon walls are goodplaces to observe goats. The trail is well maintained, hasnumerous camping spots and is heavily traveled. Families will findthis a good trail for day or weekend use.

Access: Four miles south of Darby, take the West Fork Roadfor 13 miles and turn north (right) onto the road to Sam BillingsCampground. The trailhead is at the end of the campground.

See Page 35 for Mill Creek Trail map.


Bitterroot ParkwayBike-Ped Path

The Bitterroot Parkway Bike-Ped Path is a paved45-mile easy route through the scenic Bitterroot Valleyfrom Lolo to Hamilton. It begins at the LoloCommunity Center and ends at the Hamilton RiverTrail.

The Pathway has adjacent trails from Florence tothe river; the Stevensville Wye to Stevensville; andWoodside to Corvallis. There is also easy dirt roadaccess to the fishing sites of the Bitterroot River andto the different trailheads in the Bitterroot Mountains.Travelers Rest State Park is accessible by the U.S.Highway 12 Pathway.

The Bitterroot Parkway Bike-Ped Path hasnumerous rest areas but one should bring water.Many of the restaurants and businesses along theroute are open seven days a week and welcomecyclists. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on thepathway with the exception of wheelchairs.


BitterrootRiver

(Brown trout, mountainwhitefish, rainbow trout,westslope cutthroat trout)

Forest Cooper Riverleft, mile 82

Day use only. Undeveloped.Hunting and/or discharge ofweapons prohibited.

Directions: 4 miles south ofDarby where U.S. Highway 93meets West Fork Road.

Hannon Memorial River right, mile 82

Five campsites feecharged; hand launch only;latrine. This site is split into twoareas a day use area and acamping area. The day use areahas a concrete boat launch;latrine; no fee. Hunting and/ordischarge of weaponsprohibited.

Directions: 3.7 miles south ofDarby, turn east on RockyMountain Road, travel 0.2 milesto day use site. Campsites are0.2 miles farther south off ofU.S. Highway 93.

Darby Bridge River left,mile 78

Day use only; concrete boatlaunch; latrine. Hunting and/ordischarge of weaponsprohibited.

Directions: 0.5 miles south ofDarby, turn east on Water Streetfor 0.5 miles to FAS sign, turneast, 0.2 miles.

Wally Crawford Riverleft, mile 72

Day use only; concrete boatlaunch; latrine. Hunting and/ordischarge of weaponsprohibited.

Directions: 3.7 miles north ofDarby on U.S. Highway 93, turneast on Old Darby Road, 0.25 miles.

Anglers Roost Riverright, mile 62

Day use only; concrete boat

launch. This site is privatelyowned, but open to public use.Check in at the Anglers Rooststore office prior to using.Hunting and/or discharge ofweapons prohibited.

Directions: 2.5 miles south ofHamilton on U.S. Highway 93.

Demmons River right,mile 57

Day use only; no boatlaunch. Hunting and/ordischarge of weaponsprohibited.

Directions: In Hamilton, from U.S. Highway 93, travel 1.0 miles west on Main Street.

Woodside Bridge River right, mile 52

Day use only; concrete boatlaunch; latrine. ADA fishingplatform; adjoining private landtrail system open to the public atno cost.

Hunting and/or discharge ofweapons prohibited.

Directions: From U.S.Highway 93, take Highway 373(Woodside Cutoff Road) 0.5 miles east toward Corvallis.

Tucker Crossing Riverleft, mile 47

Day use only; concrete boatlaunch at West Tucker; latrine.The majority of the site lies eastof the river and is known as EastTucker. Access to East Tucker isgained off of the EastsideHighway. Discharge of weaponsrestricted as posted on-site.

Directions: 3 miles south ofVictor off U.S. Highway 93.

Bell Crossing Riverleft, mile 41

Day use only; gravel bar boatlaunch. Discharge of weaponsrestricted as posted on-site.

Directions: 1.5 miles north ofVictor on U.S. Highway 93, then0.5 miles east on Route 370(Bell Crossing Road).

Bass Creek River left,mile 30

Day use only; no boatlaunch. Walk-in access only.Discharge of weapons restrictedas posted on-site.

Directions: 4.5 miles north ofStevensville on U.S. Highway 93.

Poker Joe River left,mile 28

Day use only; no boatlaunch; latrine. Walk-in access(0.25 miles to river) only.Discharge of weapons restrictedas posted on-site.

Directions: 3.0 miles south ofFlorence to Luby Lane, east 0.5 miles to Simpson Lane,follow signs for 0.6 miles.

Florence Bridge Riverleft, mile 23

Day use only; gravel bar boatlaunch; latrine. Hunting and/or

discharge of weaponsprohibited.

Directions: From Florence, 1 mile east on EastsideHighway.

Chief Looking Glass River left, mile 21

17 campsites fee charged;hand launch only; latrine. Freeday use. Hunting and/ordischarge of weaponsprohibited.

Directions: 6.5 miles south ofLolo on U.S. Highway 93 toChief Looking Glass Road, east1.0 miles.

Public fishing access sites on ClarkFork, Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers

See BITTERROOT, Page 41


0 5 0

Miles

Chief Looking Glass

Florence Bridge

Poker Joe

BellCrossing

CORVALLIS

HAMILTON

TuckerCrossing

Woodside Bridge

Wally Crawford

Hannon Memorial

Forest Cooper

Darby Bridge

AnglersRoost

Demmons

STEVENSVILLESTEVENSVILLESTEVENSVILLE

VICTOR

Bass Creek

FLORENCE

DARBY

W.W. White MemorialW.W. White MemorialW.W. White Memorial

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Burnt Fork Bitterroot RiverBig Creek

Fred Burr Creek

LakeComo

Rock Creek

Wes

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Bitterro

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Rye Creek

Skalkaho Creek

Sleeping Child Creek

East For

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Blodgett Creek

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Bitt

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Bitt

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Bitterroot River fishing access sites

West ForkBitterrootRiver

(Brown trout, mountainwhitefish, rainbow trout,westslope cutthroat trout)

W.W. White Memorial(see Bitterroot River map) River left, mile 2

Day use only; hand launchonly. Hunting and/or dischargeof weapons prohibited.

Directions: 4 miles south ofDarby on U.S. Highway 93, turnsouthwest on West Fork Roadfor 3.5 miles.

BitterrootContinued


BlackfootRiver

(Bull trout, brown trout,mountain whitefish, rainbowtrout, westslope cutthroat trout)

Non-motorized watercraftonly for the Blackfoot River andits tributaries.

Special recreation rulesapply to the Blackfoot River andall sites in the BlackfootRecreation Corridor.

Glass containers areprohibited on the BlackfootRiver.

Cedar Meadow Riverright, mile 64

Day use only; hand launchonly. Hunting and/or dischargeof weapons prohibited.

Directions: From Helmville(starting from the post office),take the Ovando-Helmville Roadnorthwest for 4 miles.

River Junction Riverright, mile 52

Six campsites fee charged;Primitive boat launch; latrine.Road to site is very rough.Discharge of weapons restrictedas posted on-site.

Directions: 38 miles east ofBonner on Highway 200, turnsoutheast on an unmarkedcounty road (FAS sign at thejunction) for 9 rough miles,follow the signs.

Scotty Brown Bridge River right, mile 45

Day use only; hand launchonly. Parking limited to fourve

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Hike Bike and Run 2013