The hike to St. Mary’s Peak, outside of Stevensville, is guaranteed to provide stunning views and plenty of alpine scenery. You’ll begin by climbing steadily through fir and lodgepole pine forest, before following a broad ridge for about a mile. As you climb toward the summit, you’ll pass through windswept alpine terrain that offers tremendous views into the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. At the top, you’ll be greeted by a lookout tower, and perhaps a volunteer fire lookout during peak fire season - be sure to say thank you before heading back down! Photo by Elizabeth Wehling

Trail of the Week

St. Marys Peak

Pine Creek Lake might be one of the most popular destinations in the Paradise Valley, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit. The trail starts off by gently following Pine Creek, and before long it brings you to a spectacular waterfall that tumbles down from the lake above. From here, things get steeper as the trail switchbacks through the woods up to Pine Creek Lake. This spectacular gem is tucked into a rocky cirque, and it’s well worth spending the night up here to see the stunning stars that appear when the sun sinks behind the peaks. Photo by Laurie Thornton

Pine Creek Lake

If you’ve always wanted to take a boat to the trailhead, the Meriwether Canyon Trail is for you. Beginning on the banks of the Missouri River east of Helena, this moderately difficult trail switchbacks into the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, made famous by the breathless descriptions of Meriwether Lewis. After a long climb, the trail flattens out and opens up to great views of Sacagawea Mountain and the valley below. From the summit, enjoy the long downhill back to the banks of the Missouri and the boat shuttle back to the west bank. Photo by Bob Giltrap

Meriwether Canyon Trail

If you’re looking for an alpine adventure close to Missoula, the hike up Lolo Peak will fit the bill. It starts off by switchbacking through dense lodgepole pine forest for several miles, before transitioning into stands of western larch. Eventually, the canopy opens up enough to provide expansive views over the Missoula Valley and into the Bitterroot Mountains. You can turn around here or, if you’re up for an adventure, hike along the open ridge past Carlton Lake and scramble to the top of Lolo Peak. Photo by Tamra Winchell

Lolo Peak

North of Butte, the Haystack Mountain Trail is a shady summer hike perfect for a half-day adventure. The trail leads to the former site of an old lookout tower, and while the tower might be gone, the views from the summit are still spectacular: you can gaze out over the Boulder River Valley, Elk Park, and broad areas of the Continental Divide. The trail itself is narrow, forested, and intersected by numerous small creeks that flow down from the higher elevations, keeping things lush and cool on a hot summer day. Photo by Chris McDonald

Haystack Mountain Trail

The breathtaking views from Greathouse Peak, the highest point of the Big Snowy Mountains, is well worth a journey to central Montana. Starting from the Uhlhorn Trailhead at the bottom of Half Moon Canyon, you’ll weave back and forth across Half Moon Creek before breaking out into a lovely open meadow. Enjoy a snack and some wide-open views before climbing steeply to Half Moon Pass, an open and grassy ridgeline with great 360-degree views. Photo by Patrick Colleran

Greathouse Peak

If you're looking for a summer adventure, try out this loop hike around Edith Lake and Mount Baldy in central Montana's Big Belt Mountains! Photo by Julie Vollertsen

Edith Lake/Mount Baldy

In the Big Snowy Mountains south of Lewistown, the Crystal Cascades Trail leads you to a cascading waterfall. Starting at the Ice Caves Trailhead, the trail climbs and descends through old growth forest, crossing several small creeks along the way. The final ascent to the falls is steep but short, and your excitement will build as you hear the waterfall before you see it. Take care not to slip on the wet rocks and logs, and spend some time marveling at the cascade, which comes tumbling out of an opening in the limestone cliffs. Photo by Nikki Yancey

Crystal Cascades

Right now, Montana's highest peaks are still covered in snow, but that doesn't mean you have to wait to get up high. Cyclone Lookout in the Whitefish Range, just west of Glacier National Park, is always one of the earlier lookouts to melt out. From the top, enjoy views across the North Fork valley to the full panorama of Glacier's still-snowy peaks. Photo by Debo Powers

Cyclone Lookout

South of Red Lodge, the Bear Track Trail is a steep and steady climb to the rugged and windswept Silver Run Plateau near the edge of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The initial climb is steep, but the plateau itself is largely flat, so you can catch your breath and rest your tired legs. When you’ve reached the top, you can turn around for a 10-mile day hike or keep hiking into the Wilderness if you’re in the mood for adventure. Don’t forget that you’re in bear country, so be sure to travel safely. Photo by Keith Strong

Bear Track Trail

The Pryor Mountains - not far from Billings - are home to Montana's only true desert, yet also home to a stunning array of plants and animals. Upper Layout Creek is a short hike to a year-round spring surrounded by a giant mound of green moss and lush tree cover, making for a surprising oasis in this generally dry range. Photo by Dick Walton

Upper Layout Creek

Located in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, the Two Eagles Interpretive Trail is a short, flat, and paved path that winds past thousands of years of history. The trail passes by over 140 stone tipi rings, which Apsaalooke people used to hold down the edges of their tipis when camped in the area. Using radiocarbon dating, archaeologists have determined that the oldest of these rings dates from 700 C.E. Two Eagles is a place of rich history and cultural significance, and 12 interpretive signs provide a wealth of information along the quarter-mile loop. Photo by National Parks Service

Two Eagles Interpretive Trail

As one of the easiest and most spectacular hikes in the Whitefish Range, the trip to Thoma Lookout is a can’t-miss summer adventure. You’ll start off by hiking alongside a beautiful mossy creek while a dense spruce forest provides some much-needed shade. After a few miles, you’ll pop out of the trees to jaw-dropping views of the northern Whitefish Range and the towering peaks of Glacier National Park. Eat lunch while you soak in the amazing views, and be sure to say hi to the lookout who’s watching over this stunning slice of northwest Montana. Photo by Debo Powers

Thoma Lookout

In the Little Belt Mountains south of Great Falls, the South Fork Hoover Creek Loop is a tough and rewarding day hike through old growth forest. To complete the loop, you’ll actually follow the south, middle, and north forks of Hoover Creek, passing through stands of aspen, thimbleberry patches, lodgepole pine, and open grassland. Eventually, you’ll reach Pioneer Ridge, where you can enjoy views of forested mountaintops and scattered meadows. On the way down, you’ll descend back into the forest and enjoy the birdsong on the gentle walk back to the trailhead. Photo by Tim Faber

South Fork Hoover Creek

Sign up to get the Trail of the Week texted to you every week at wildmontana.org/totw

hubhopper

Trail of the Week

hubhopper