Lakeside to Blacktail trails near completion

The Lakeside to Blacktail hiking trail is now fully cleared and the final digging of tread will probably be finished this season.  The trail can be easily followed for hiking now.  A map is attached.

The trail will start at FS Road 9549 which intersects Blacktail Road between about 0.4 miles past the 4 mile marker.  The road, currently gated, passes though an easement on Plum Creek property and the trail will begin shortly after the FS 9549 enters forest service land.  A new gate will be installed at that point.  Currently one can park near the gate on Blacktail Road and walk up FS 9549 about a mile to the start of the trail.  About a quarter of a mile from Blacktail road a moderately steep animal trail short cut can be taken to greatly reduce the distance. Turn left when the animal trail rejoins the road and the trail starts around the corner.

The trail roughly follows an abandoned pack trail that served a fire lookout on Blacktail Mountain prior to the building of the radar station about 50 years ago. From the trailhead it proceeds up the ridge south of Stoner Creek for about three miles, where it intersects an abandoned logging road.  Turn left on the cleared roadbed and go about 0.5 mile to the intersection with the Foys to Blacktail Trail.  Proceed left on this trail approximately 1.2 miles to the summit of Blacktail Mountain.   

Youth crews under the direction of Montana Conservation Corps did most of the work. 

For more information contact Bob Hermes (rahermes@gmail.com).