Hikes – Page 27 – On the Loose Live

Bozeman, MT: Hyalite Creek Trail Hike

November 7, 2016January 13, 2019livevigorously

Headed out from Bozeman to the nearby Hyalite Creek Trail Hike.

Wanted to make it to the lake and back. The trail is one of the best in the area with 11 waterfalls on the way. It was heavily wooded so the views of the waterfalls and the dramatic canyons and the cliffs weren’t always visible without a slight ramble on spur to the right.

Hiking distance: 11 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1,900 feet

Unfortunately, the trail was heavily iced and snow-covered so I had to turn back at Chasm Falls about a mile and a half short of the lake. In the video below, I misnamed the hike Hyacinth – it is Hyalite. Must have been the brain freeze.

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Here’s a close up of the icicles by the falls.

By the way, do you think my jacket is bright enough? I’m hoping the hunters will too. Heard a couple shotgun shots on the way down. Ended the hike via the accessible and lovely 1.5 mile Grotto Falls trail.

Ah, closing a day of hiking with a great meal at Ted’s Montana Grill and a big sky sunset, does it get better than this?

Butte Hike: Thompson Park, Pipestone Trailhead / Continental Divide

November 6, 2016November 14, 2017livevigorously

What began as a collection of small mining claims, became a large and booming mining center in the 1900s. This is Butte, aka The Richest Hill on Earth.

Had time for a short stop at the Butte Visitor Center and for a quick hike in wilderness that’s just out of town. (You know my priorities after sitting in a car for most of the day.) Drove the city’s main drag up the hill to the historic district and back down. If you’re into mining, historic towns or fly fishing, you’ll want to make a stop in Butte…

Driving down the historic hill, Butte, MT

A side street off the top of the hill, Butte, MT

The visitor center had an extensive George Grant fly fishing exhibit and the requisite Montana taxidermy specimens/ natural history display.

We chose to hike in Thompson Park as hunters aren’t allowed in recreation areas, but they are everywhere else and it’s high season. Took the Pipestone Trailhead, which morphed into the Continental Divide Trail, and was rewarded with the vista in the feature photo at the top of the page. A pleasant way to end the day.

Next stop on this 10 day whirlwind road trip from Washington through Idaho and Montana: Bozeman

Missoula, Mt: Rattlesnake Rec Hike

November 5, 2016November 15, 2016livevigorously

Just had time for a quick hike in the Missoula area so chose the Rattlesnake Rec Area. Very tame woods and fields with fire-road size trails and some single track. Went up Curry Gulch and looped around via Sawmill Gulch. Super easy terrain, even I could mountain bike the trails I saw. Good trail running, if not a bit dull. Better for mt. biking.

Avalanche Creek Trail to the Lake, Glacier National Park

November 3, 2016December 13, 2016livevigorously

The Going to the Sun Road was closed at Avalanche for the season so hiking options were a bit limited. Started at the Trail of the Cedars, where a wooden walkway leads through dense old growth.forest, the ground plush with almost iridescent green moss and a spectacular view of roaring avalanche creek. All this in a half mile or so and wheelchair friendly.

The rest of the Trail of the Cedars was closed, but I continued up along Avalanche Creek to Avalanche Lake. This easy, couple mile trail (4.5 miles roundtrip with 730 feet elevation gain) winds along Avalanche Creek and then up to the lake, and is one of the most popular in the park. One of the advantages of hiking in the off-season, and in the rain, is having it almost all to yourself.

Road trip: Taking the scenic route Sandpoint to Libby, MT

November 1, 2016October 25, 2017livevigorously

Highlight: Kootenai Falls

Got a tip from a coffee purveyor in Sandpoint to take the scenic route route 200 and 56 to Libby, Montana before jumping on the 2 to Kalispell, Whitefish, and beyond. After all, aren’t road trips all about the scenic route?

Scenery was fantastic along the way and Kootenai Falls is a must stop. Breathtaking views and a cool suspension bridge just a short, easy stroll off the freeway!

The bridge and the rushing turquoise waters remind me of New Zealand.

Next stop was Kalispell, which I found a bit underwhelming. It seemed unremarkable, caught between old historic and the not so nice of new (chain retailers). Perhaps I was expecting too much as I’ve always fantasized about these storied Montana towns, and after all, what can live up to ones imagination?

Whitefish, on the other hand, closely matched my expectations. I was surprised by the lake – an added bonus of this idyllic western ski resort town. Drove up Big Mountain, an easy 6 miles from downtown. Tiny in comparison to CA ski resorts, but so accessible.