0.2 Miles, +150 feet
This is an easy, pleasant summit. The road is suitable for most vehicles and the hike up is through an open meadow/clearcut.
Following is a description:
From Hwy-2 & the McGinnis Meadows Rd just east of the USFS Pleasant Valley Campground:
This summit is a drive-up. The summit is a fantastically beautiful flower-covered meadow with views in all directions. The road is suitable for a Rav4, Subaru, etc., but one may have to go slowly due to some full-width potholes. With a higher clearance vehicle (e.g. 4-Runner), it is fast and easy. The potholes were full of water in late May, but none were muddy or super deep.
May 23, 2024
We stayed at the Wenatchee Guard Station and drove along FS-44 to 3C Spring, where we were stopped by a snowdrift and walked the 3-miles from there to Kelly Camp - then up to the summit. There was still lots of snow cover along the road - it looked like it would be another 2-weeks or so before the road was open to Kelly Camp. The foot trail to the summit was still heavily drifted, so we went up the nearby slope that had a southern exposure. It was a great hike.
1.3 mi, +513 feet
This is a super pleasant hike on nice trails. It would also be a great winter activation with skis or snowshoes. There is a very nice enclosed warming hut near the top (within the activation zone) with a wood stove and a picnic table.
Although this isn't a very spectacular summit, it is located on the Continental Divide and can be either a drive-up in the summer, or a ski-up in the winter. There are also possibilities to snowshoe up in the winter. Each of these options is summarized below. During our activation we hiked up the "Northern Approach". The activation zone for this summit is very large.
Northern Approach Directions (From Priest Pas)
4.4 Miles, +1,233 feet, -30 feet
Winter Access Directions to TH:
From I-15 north of Helena – Exit at Lincoln Road (Exit-200) – Head West on Hwy-279 for 22.3 miles
Turn Left (west) towards Stemple Pass – drive 8.3 miles to the Pass (Pass is plowed in winter)
Park in the parking area on the left (west) side of the road at the pass.
1.7 miles, +884 ft, -47 ft; On ATV Trail
Driving Directions from Checkerboard, MT