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
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