Montana Trail Reports at Thehighroute.com

"Conservation is a foresighted utilization, preservation and/or renewal of forest, waters, lands and minerals, for the greatest good of the greatest number for the longest time."
Gifford Pinchot

Hiking in Northwest Montana

10 Great Hikes in Montana

Black Canyon Lake, Approx 14 miles roundtrip, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
Lake Plateau, Approx 34.5 miles, Gallentin National Forest
Iceberg Lake, Approx 9 miles roundtrip, Glacier National Park
Aero Lake, Approx 12 miles roundtrip, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
Beehive Basin, Approx 4.5 miles roundtrip, Spanish Peaks Primitive Area, Lee Metcalf Wilderness
The Pintler Loop, Approx 24 miles, Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness
The Chinese Wall, More or less 60 miles, Bob Marshall Wilderness
Little Ibex Lake, Approx 12 miles roundtrip, Cabinet Mountains
Leigh Lake, Approx 3 miles RT, short day hike, Cabinet Mountains
Timberline and Gertrude Lakes, Approx 9 miles roundtrip, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
Lost Cabin Trail, 8 miles roundtrip
Edith Baldy Basin Trail, 12 miles roundtrip

Yellowstone National Park

When it comes to national parks, Yellowstone National Park tops the charts. Yellowstone is unique in many different ways. Many people are not aware that it is the first national park ever founded in the United States.

The park was first established on March 1, 1872. Another interesting fact was that it was one of the favored camping spots of former President Theodore Roosevelt. The Yellowstone National Park campgrounds are renowned for their economical benefits and the unspoiled atmosphere that they....

Altrec

Feature Hike

Highline Trail / Ptarmigan Tunnel loop

One of if not the best extended hikes in Montana. Located in Glacier National Park, some of the special areas include:

1) Highline Trail

2) The Ptarmigan Tunnel (which is 120 ft long)

3) Swift Mountain Lookout

4) Iceberg Lake

5) Stoney Indian Lake

6) Granite Park Chalet

7) Ahern Pass

8) Sue Lake Overlook

9) Kootenai Lake

Spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, alpine lakes, and wild things abound on this hike. Apply as early as possible for your wilderness permit, they can be hard to get.

This hike is 65 miles long so you will want at least 7 days to do it.

Maps: USGS Many Glacier, Gable Mountain

The Jewel Basin

The basin has 27 lakes and 35 miles of trails. The area incompasses 15,349 acres'. Take Highway 83 to the Echo Lake Road and up to the Jewel Basin Road No. 5392. From the west there is access off the Foothills Road turning onto Krause Creek Road No. 5390. Located in the Swan Range just to the east of Kalispell. This area cries out base camp. Two possible base camps are Twin Lakes a 5 mile round trip, and Black Lake a 9 mile round trip. Get good topo maps of the area and pick a spot for your base camp.

Trailhead Elevation: 5500 ft
Maps: Big Hawk Mountain, Jewel Basin, USFS Jewel Basin Hiking Area, Crater Lake USGS Quad, USGS Jewel Basin
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Pictures of Jewel Basin

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