National Trails Day: 8 Trails Less Traveled

The Crown Mountain Trail (Bob Marshall Wilderness)

Most times when people think of The Bob, their minds jump directly to The Chinese Wall, with its soaring reef and long approach. There’s another reef worth mentioning, though, that’s seldom visited and has one of my favorite campsites in The Bob: The Crown Mountain Trail, aka The Scapegoat Loop. It’s a 30-mile, multi-day cherry-stem that starts with a quick summit over Crown Mountain Pass, then drops down into a large, recently burned area. (In fact, about 80% of this hike is burned, so I’d highly recommend not hiking it in peak summer as my wife and I did.)

After descending the pass, the route briefly follows the CDT and then cuts south along the Green Fork. It’s here that you’ll have the opportunity to drop your packs and head up to Scapegoat Mountain if you have the energy; if not, head down into Halfmoon Park, a campsite ringed on one side by a massive reef with easy access to water and shade. You’ll then have the option to follow three separate drainages to finish the loop around Halfmoon Peak to the CDT and back up to Crown Mountain Pass. This is a somewhat strenuous hike through a burn area with little shade, but the opportunity to camp a night at Halfmoon Park beneath the soaring reef is definitely worth it. And while you’re out there, be sure to say hi to the ranger at the Green Fork Guard Station!

– Mike Rooney, development manager

Getting there: Explore the Crown Mountain Trail

Roundtrip Distance: 8.8 mi.
Elevation Gain: 3,067 ft.
Highest Elevation: 8,340 ft.

Continental Divide

The wild place I turn to, again and again, is the Continental Divide. There is a hike, ski, or snowshoe for each season. Flesher Pass offers a choice of two wildlands. South of Flesher Pass, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) enters the Specimen Creek Roadless Conservation Area. Continue south all the way (11 miles) to Stemple Pass.

To the north, the CDT ascends into the Anaconda Hill Roadless Conservation Area. From the very first overlook, you can look south and see Specimen Creek, Nevada Mountain, and – in the distance – the Electric Peak Roadless Conservation Areas along the winding Divide. North a turn reveals glimpses of massive Red Mountain (9400'), the highest peak of the Scapegoat, Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness region. The face of Red Mountain – home to grizzlies, mountain goats, elk, and wolverines – is proposed for inclusion in the Scapegoat Wilderness. In summer, this reach of the CDT offers spectacular vistas of mountains and prairie all the way to Rogers Pass (13 miles). Be prepared for wind! 

In spring, fall, and early summer, I am drawn to the crown jewel of this stretch of the Great Divide: the Nevada Mountain proposed Wilderness. There is something special about the way these mountains rise and roll unmarred by roads, and open up into intimate cirque basins along the headwaters of Little Prickly Pear. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail follows the twisting rise of the Divide through excellent wildlife habitats. Watch for tracks of elk, moose, grizzly, lynx, or wolverine along the wild divide, and wildflowers! 

– John Gatchell, senior conservation adviser

Baldy Mountain (near Butte)

Hiking Baldy Mountain (10568’) proves an excellent introduction to the East Pioneers, Montana’s fifth-highest range and one of the best in southwest Montana. Because of
a higher elevation approach, this hike/climb does not drain your battery and affords fabulous, 360-degree views. Most of the route is flagged, and once you’ve reached the saddle you veer left (west), upwards through thinning lodgepole. At treeline, a moderate switchback trail through the talus slopes winds up and just south of the false summit to the real one. From here, one sees into Idaho to the west, the Madison Range to the east, the Pintlers to the north, and the Beaverhead, Grasshopper, and Big Hole valleys. It presents an excellent picture of southwest Montana’s basin and range country. Pro tip: on the descent, don’t cut to the right (west) and avoid wandering below Black Mountain.

– Alan Weltzien, MWA Southwestern Wildlands Chapter volunteer

Getting there: Drive from either Badger Pass or the Argenta Flats Road to FS2400 (the Dyce Creek Road) and park at an elbow below the saddle between Black and Baldy Mountains.

Crystal Cascades in the Big Snowy Mountains(photo by Nikki Yancey)

Crystal Cascades in the Big Snowies (near Great Falls)

After numerous hikes to the crest of the Big Snowies – leading hikes to the Ices Caves for MWA, friends, and family – I took the time last summer to hike a trail that I’d passed on the way to Crystal Lake. The Crystal Cascade Trailhead is about 2.5 miles before Crystal Lake and is well marked. When I pulled into the parking lot, there were a few other cars and one couple just starting their hike. As I headed up the trail, I encountered the couple I spotted earlier already on their way back. They were daunted by a stream crossing but, receiving a quick word of caution, I continued up the trail. Within 200 feet I encountered the first of many stream crossings (22 in total if I remember correctly). The trail travels about 3.5 miles and gains 1,000 feet to reach the Crystal Cascades, which is a beautiful 100-foot, stepped waterfall emerging from the mouth of a cave. If you’re looking for a longer trip, about a mile from the falls you can take a spur trail that connects to the Ice Cave trail. Apart from the first couple who quickly gave up, I had the trail entirely to myself. 

– Zach Angstead, central Montana field director

Getting there: Explore Crystal Cascades Trail #445

Roundtrip Distance: 7 mi.
Elevation Gain: 770 ft.
Highest Elevation: 6,809 ft.

Mount Thompson-Seton, Whitefish Range

Up in northwest Montana, many of the trails in the Whitefish Range still have snow this time of year, but in the coming weeks, I highly recommend checking out the Mount Thompson-Seton trails.

Named for British author Ernest Thompson-Seton, this mountain is a joy to hike. After walking over the kelly hump at the end of Whale Creek Road, continue down the old roadbed (Whale Creek Trail #11) for a few hundred feet until you reach Inuya Creek. The creek can be a rushing torrent during spring run-off but becomes easier to cross on rocks as the water level drops during the summer. After crossing Inuya Creek, take the Inuya Creek Trail #79 to the right. This is easy to miss if you are not looking for it, as sometimes the trail sign is up and sometimes it isn’t.

After climbing for a mile or two, the vegetation thins and the trail parallels Inuya Creek rushing below. When you reach Inuya Pass, Trail #79 intersects with Trail #28, the Ninko-Thompson Seton Trail. The trail signage can be easy to miss, so I suggest familiarizing yourself with your map before heading out. Once you reach the summit, there are the remains of an old lookout. The views from the top are some of the best in the entire Whitefish Range and you can gaze at a sea of peaks in every direction.  You’ll also see spectacular views into Canada and Glacier/Waterton National Parks and the Cabinet Mountains. Thompson-Seton is the second tallest peak in the Whitefish Range and it also provides an overview of the whole of the proposed wilderness that hopefully will encompass Tuchuck, Hefty, Review, Nasukoin, and Thompson-Seton.  

– Allie Maloney, northwest Montana field director

Getting there: Explore Mount Thompson-Seton #79, #28

Roundtrip Distance: 11.2 mi.
Elevation Gain: 3,048 ft.
Highest Elevation: 7,820 ft.

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Keely Damara
Communications Coordinator

Keely provides communications support for our chapters, programs, and campaigns and manages our social media channels. In her free time, she enjoys fly fishing on Montana's scenic rivers, hiking, camping, and exploring public lands in her home state.
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