AE7AP's blog

1.7 miles, +1,260 ft, -160 ft (From Lake Levale); 18.8 mile approach from Silvertip TH

(3.6 miles, +2,400 ft, -300 ft, 7.4 mile approach)

0.7 miles, +750 feet, 5.2 mile approach

Rock Island Butte is in the southern portion of the Absoraka-Beartooth Wilderness.  We climbed it from the Chief Joseph Trailhead as part of an extended backpacking trip, but it is also reasonable to climb it as a day-hike.  If camping overnight, there is an excellent isolated campsite on the south side of Widewater Lake near where the trail dips closest to the lake.  There are also numerous campsites in the Widewater-Big Moose area.

Gem Peak is a drive-up with a fire lookout at the top that is available to rent.  This is an L-4 type lookout on top of a 30-foot tower that was constructed in 1964.  The road up is suitable for most vehicles, so long as they have a bit of clearance.  The road is gated just below the summit & it is likely that the lookout is being used if the gate is closed.

(2.8 miles, +2,200 feet)

Haystack Mountain is a nice hike up a well-maintained trail.  The summit is a large rockpile that has the scattered remains of an old fire lookout (“L-4” type lookout constructed in 1936 & destroyed on 1977).  Although there is room to setup on the summit rockpile, there is a more comfortable flat area about 20-feet below the summit that is well within the activation zone.  The trail may be accessed as follows:

(1.4 miles, +2,000 feet)

Treasure Mountain is a non-descript forested summit that is located south of Elliston, MT.  Head south on the Little Blackfoot road (which leaves the highway east of Elliston) and trend left up Telegraph Creek 3.0 miles later when the road forks.  Follow the Telegraph Creek Road SSE for 4.9 miles, and take the major turn to the right (westerly).  Continue across Telegraph Creek, and follow the road 0.6 miles to where it intersects the Treasure Mountain Road.  The Treasure Mtn. Road may be driven at least another 1.8 miles, except Oct.

The Loneman hike is long but rewarding.  The trail is 7.4 miles long with 3,900 feet of vertical elevation gain.  It is necessary to ford both the Middle Fork of the Flathead and Nyack Creek.  The hike is most feasible in August or September once streamflows have subsided and the NPS has had time to clear the trails.  Wading shoes and a trekking pole or a sturdy stick are advisable for the crossings.  The flow in the Middle Fork was about 2,300 cfs for our crossing, which was about hip deep for me (6’-2” tall).  The crossing would become quick

The Scalplock Lookout Trail is 4.7 miles and 3,100 vertical feet on a very nice trail that begins at the Walton Ranger Station near Essex, MT.  This is a less visited side of the Park.  No entrance fees are required and it is much less crowded than many other park trails.  The following link offers an excellent trail description:

http://enjoyyourparks.com/glacierparkscalplocklookout.html