Outings

2012 Outings of the Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club

Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club Outings are free and open to the public. Liability release signatures required. No companion animals, please.

Saturday, 19 May — Lake Como Loop day hike, Bitterroot Mountains (women’s only). Take an easy day hike around beautiful Lake Como near Darby. A nice set of falls at the head of the lake will be our lunch stop, and we’ll complete the loop by walking across the dam. 7.5 miles total with minimal elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Janet Fiero at janetfiero77@gmail.com (preferred) or 970-260-7951.

Wednesday, 23 May — Stuart Peak-Wallman Trail Loop day hike, Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. This loop hike begins at the main Rattlesnake trailhead, parallels Spring Gulch for a couple of miles, passes through several pocket meadows, then climbs gently before descending back to the main Rattlesnake trail. Nice views of Lolo Peak on the descent. Shallow water crossing required. Eight miles total with 500 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Mary Owens at mowens320@gmail.com (preferred) or 493-1139.

Saturday, 2 June — Service Trip, Burnt Fork Creek, Bitterroot Valley. We will be partnering with Trout Unlimited to plant native tree and shrub species throughout a section of a heavily impacted stream channel. The Burnt Fork is an important tributary to the Bitterroot River, as it contains pure populations of westslope cutthroat trout at its headwaters and is a nursery for several species of trout and other aquatic species in the Bitterroot. The upper reaches of the watershed are National Forest lands while the last few miles of Burnt Fork Creek run through the Lee Metcalf Wildlife preserve. The land in between is privately owned and used primarily for cattle and agriculture. The section of stream that will be worked on was recently fenced off from cattle and this effort will jump start the establishment of a riparian community. Bring gloves, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water, and snacks. A sack lunch will be provided. To sign-up, and for meeting time and place, please contact Bob Clark at bob.clark@sierraclub.org

Saturday, 9 June - Bear Creek Overlook Day Hike, Bitterroot Mountains (women only). This is a moderate hike that will take us to a spectacular canyon overlook. The overlook is perched on a sheer cliff with incredible views of the Bitterroot Mountains and the canyon below. 5 miles round trip with 1200 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Fran Coover at fran@bresnan.net (preferred) or 544-2255.

Wednesday, 13 June — Bass Creek day hike, Bitterroot Mountains. Bass Creek Canyon is typical of those in the Bitterroot Valley — U-shaped and glacially carved. This moderate hike will follow the creek, gradually ascending to some spectacular waterfalls. We will hike through several pocket meadows, so expect to see wildflowers. 8.5 miles round trip with 1500 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Mary Owens at mowens320@gmail.com (preferred) or 493-1139.

Saturday, 16 June — Broadwater Lake day hike, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Our hike begins by immediately crossing a footbridge over the Lake Fork of Rock Creek, and gradually heading upstream along the beautiful Lake Fork. The water dramatically increases in volume and velocity as we follow alongside it the entire distance of our hike. There are no stream crossings on this hike. Often moose and their calves are seen along the lower sections of this trail. We’ll stop for lunch at “Broadwater Lake” which is simply a wide, beautiful place in the river. Depending upon our time and the needs of participants, we have the option of continuing another mile and a half up the trail where a left turn takes us to nearby “Lost Lake”, a popular destination for campers. Adding to the appeal of this trail is a series of waterfalls cascading down from mountain peaks along the way. Seven miles round trip with 600 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Donna Craig at benannod@aol.com (preferred) or 328-4386

Saturday, 23 June — Blodgett Canyon day hike, Bitterroot Mountains (women’s only). This moderate hike is in one of the most beautiful canyons in the Bitterroot, often described as “Yosemite like.” We will hike to the second set of falls. 9 miles round trip with 1200 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Mary Owens at mowens320@gmail.com (preferred) or 493-1139.

Saturday, 23 June — Elk Lake day hike, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The trail begins by winding through trees burned in the late nineties in the Shepherd Mountain fire. We will hike along and above East Rosebud Lake where evidence of the Shepherd Mountain fire still exists, but the forest has grown back substantially. As the trail climbs upward to Elk Lake, views of the surrounding mountains soar above the dramatic waterfalls of the East Rosebud River. We’ll have lunch at Elk Lake then return the way we came. Six miles round trip with 500 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Donna Craig at benannod@aol.com (preferred) or 328-4386.

Saturday, 30 June — Sourdough Ridge exploration. Within view of Bozeman are some little-known gems of wild country. Walk a ridge you may have never noticed on a user-created trail. Explore deep woods and ridge top meadows. Look for early summer wildflowers and seek views of the Gallatin Valley. Learn about why this area may deserve Wilderness protection. This hike is moderately strenuous — 8 miles round trip with at least 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 8 participants. Phil Knight, a long time Sierra Club member and local organizer, conservationist, guide, naturalist and author of two books about traveling and living in the backcountry, will accompany us on this hike. To sign-up, contact Zack Waterman at zack.waterman@sierraclub.org (preferred) or 919.696.8329.

Wednesday, 18 July — St. Mary Peak, Bitterroot Mountains. This moderately strenuous day hike will take us to the top of St. Mary Peak at 9,300 feet in elevation. There is a working fire lookout on top and the views are incredible. 7.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2400 feet. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Mary Owens at mowens320@gmail.com (preferred) or 493-1139.

Saturday, 27 July — Lake Dinah Trail from Lake Elsina, Mission Mountains (women’s only). Both Lake Dinah and Lake Elsina are gorgeous subalpine lakes in the high country basins of the Mission Mountains. The trail winds through lush brush, dense forest and grassy meadows. 5 miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign-up, contact Janet Fiero at janetfiero77@gmail.com (preferred) or 970-260-7951

Saturday, 18 August — Hidden Canyon Waterfall Day Hike. Despite being well traveled, Hyalite Canyon holds some hidden gems that few people get to see. Come walk a little known route along hidden waterfalls to a high ridge above the East Fork of Hyalite. Look for signs of wildlife and enjoy breezy views from a remote summit. Learn about some of the controversial history of land management in the Gallatin Range and discuss the idea of Wilderness protection for the Gallatins. This hike is steep and strenuous! Ten miles total, with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Phil Knight, a long time Sierra Club member and local organizer, conservationist, guide, naturalist and author of two books about traveling and living in the backcountry, will accompany us on this hike. Limited to 6 participants. To sign-up, contact Zack Waterman at zack.waterman@sierraclub.org (preferred) or 919.696.8329

Wednesday, 29 Aug to Sunday, 2 September — Missouri River Breaks Canoe Trip (women’s only). Join us for a peaceful 3 1/2 day float thru the inspiring "White Cliffs" section of this famous river. Late summer can be ideal with less heat, less wind, less folks, almost no mosquitoes and tranquil riverside camping among the cottonwoods and coyote howls. Side hikes and fossil explorations will be on the agenda. Rent or BYO Boat/gear. To sign up, contact Janet Fiero at janetfiero77@gmail.com

Saturday, 29 September, Carlton Lake day hike, Bitterroot Mountains. The Larch trees should be showing their autumn colors, making for a beautiful fall hike. We will hike to Carlton Lake which sits at the base of Lolo Peak. This is a moderately strenuous hike that is 9.5 miles round trip with 2600 feet of elevation gain. Limited to 10 participants. To sign up, contact Mary Owens at mowens320@gmail.com (preferred) or 493-1139.

Get Involved - To find out more about participating in the Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club outings program, or if you'd like to share your favorite wild places by leading a hike or canoe trip in your region, please contact the Outings Coordinator, Mary Owens at mowens320@gmail.com

For information on over 270 national and international Sierra Outings, visit: www.sierraclub.org/outings/ or call (415) 977-5522

Enjoy, explore and protect the planet.

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