Otokomi: This east-side hike has handfuls of rewards
Story and photos by Seth Anderson
Tucked away behind the Rising Sun Motel in St. Mary lies the often looked over Otokomi Lake and its rugged country of the Rose Creek drainage. From the Rose Creek trailhead one hikes just over 5 miles to reach Otokomi Lake. Don’t be fooled by the minimal amount of mileage because this hike packs a punch. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain to reach the lake the views are surely well earned.
In Blackfeet Otah-komi means “Yellow Fish.” The Lake and Mountain were named after a friend of George Bird Grinnell’s that accompanied him during his early expeditions and place-naming of Glacier Park. Exploring new areas of Glacier is always a treat and this hidden gem made for a great day out hiking on Monday.
As I began lacing up my hiking shoes a cool morning breeze made its way through my under dressed frame reminding me that fall is near. As darkening clouds begin to brew to the west I quickened my pace and readied my rain coat for the worst. Weaving up and through the coniferous forest and fireweed-laden hillsides of the Rose Creek area one can’t help but marvel at the deep canyon guarding Rose Creek far below. As I made my way into a small clearing a family of grouse stood watch while I crunched my way down the trail, nearly unfazed by my close proximity. Sheets of rain could be seen blanketing the nearby mountains I could clearly see minutes ago and I knew it was time to hunker down. Finding a thick pine tree I sat and waited for the rain and hail to run its course, and after about 15 minutes the skies began to clear.
The remaining water on the overgrown trail made it feel like you were walking through a washing machine’s spin-cycle. Thankfully just as I began hiking again the trail began to bloom with huckleberries and thimbleberries dotting both sides of the trail, getting riper the closer I got to Otokomi Lake. The once gray skies now sported an intoxicating blue that radiated heat from the crunchy shale I traversed my way across. Upon reaching Otokomi Lake the dramatic red cliffsides in every direction contrasted the deep blues and green surrounding the lake very nicely, a perfect place to sit and have lunch. Munching away on my newfound huckleberry dessert I watched a number of fish repeatedly jump out of the lake for their own lunch. The warming sun dried my damp layers before I packed up and headed back for home. Nearly reaching the trailhead the once blue skies again crashed down with booming thunder and lightning, unleashing the hardest hail storm of the day.
I dashed my way through the parking lot back to the warm safety of my car nearly within reach, but not before Mother Nature could give me one more rinse before heading home.
A handful of hucks make for a snack. (Seth Anderson photo)
Flowers bloom along Rose Creek. (Seth Anderson photo)