Wilderness walks on tap
The sun sets along Hurricane Ridge and Walling Reef on the Rocky Mountain Front in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Throughout the summer, the Montana Wilderness Association will offer free day hikes and overnight trips in the state’s magnificent backcountry. The intention of the Wilderness Walks program is to build grassroots support for wilderness and public lands by uniting the community around Montana’s special places.
Below is a list of the summer hikes near Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest.
Thursday, June 1
Columbia Mountain Wildflowers, Columbia Falls
Enjoy an evening wildflower walk with the Montana Native Plant Society. This walk will go at an easy pace and make numerous stops to view blossoms. 2.5 miles, moderate.
Saturday, July 8
Stanton Lake Loon Tunes, West Glacier
On this hike to Stanton Lake in the Great Bear Wilderness, look and listen for loons. 4 miles, moderate.
Saturday, July 15
Coal Ridge Lookout, Polebridge
This hike climbs steadily through a region of undisturbed forest and occasional open meadow until it reaches an old fire lookout on Coal Ridge, offering broad views of Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park. 6.8 miles, strenuous.
Saturday, July 29
Field Journaling, Bigfork
Slow down and observe the wilderness in the Jewel Basin. Grab a pencil and journal. 5-7 miles, moderate.
Friday, Aug. 4
Birch Lake, Bigfork
Birch Lake is situated on the crest of the Swan Range and highlights the beauty of the Flathead region. 6 miles, moderate.
Sunday, Sept. 17
Review Mountain, Polebridge
Steep climbs, exposed ridgetop, and spectacular vistas in the heart of roadless land. 11 miles, extremely strenuous.
For more information, contact Amanda Hagerty at 443-7350 ext. 108 or ahagerty@wildmontana.org.