Summit has good "views"
Morrell Mountain at 8161’ is a short ridgeline hike, less than a mile, with excellent views of the Seeley Lake valley and the Mission Mountains, Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness Areas. The trailhead is in the saddle/road switchback just below a closed-gate access to Morrell Lookout which is not the SOTA summit.
Trail miles: nearly 1. Elevation gain: `500’ Map: Lolo National Forest, Seeley Lake Ranger District
1.6 miles, 2,000 ft
Beartooth WMA – Open May 15 - December 2
This is a short, but very steep climb to a seldom visited ridge in the Beartooth Wildlife Management Area. It would be prudent to have 4wd in case if it rains, as the roads have the potential to be difficult if wet. The summit cliffs shelter growths of Kelseya Uniflora ( a special flower that is the symbol for the Montana Native Plant Society), and Moss Campion – both of which were in bloom during our activation.
Directions (From Wolf Creek – North of Helena)
Upper Table Rock is a very pleasant 1.25 mile, 736 foot gain (one-way) hike east of Central Point, Oregon. The trail is quite popular, but you should easily find a place to activate away from the crowds on the huge summit. The trail is wide and well-maintained, but it may be challenging to find a spot to park in the lot on busy weekends - it was about 80 percent full on a nice November day.
Skookum Butte is an old US Forest Service lookout at 7215’ on the Idaho/Montana border. The summit and lookout rests on massive granite boulders. Not having enough room at the lookout to secure our long wire antenna, K7PX Steve secured one end of the End Feed Long Wire to the top boulder, pitched the other end over the cliff and operated the antenna from below as a sloper. The lookout offers a fine view of the northeast end of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness.
We began our route from the west at the North Fork Blackfoot trailhead. Reaching the summit from here involves fording the North Fork of the Blackfoot River which can typically be accomplished in the later summer or the fall season. The other route is to go up the Bear Lake Trail and jump across a few small streams.
Table Rock, near Silver Lake, OR, is a distinctive flat topped butte that is visible for many miles away. It is a four point summit at 5621’ asl, that can be a drive up if you have a high clearance, 4x4 vehicle and some nerve. Its south central OR location is fairly remote, but I think it is worth the drive. My XYL, Christina, did most of the driving.
Park is closed until further notice due to a failed footbridge on the trail. There is no estimated date for reopening at this time. Park staff are assessing options for repair.
Wind Mountain is a nice hike in the Gorge with good views (in clear weather). It's about 2.5 miles round-trip and 1000 feet of gain. There's no pass required at the trailhead and it's often less busy than nearby Dog Mountain.
Head east on Highway 14 from Stevenson, Washington about 6.2 miles to Home Valley. Then turn onto Wind Mountain Road for 1.0 miles to turn right onto Girl Scout Road and go about 0.6 miles. This leads to a large dirt parking area at the end of the paving near 45.7145°, -121.7533°. This is usually the best place to park.
5.8 miles, 3,200 ft
Beartooth WMA – Open May 15 - December 2
Directions (From Wolf Creek – North of Helena):
· Drive north & west – cross bridge over Missouri River
· Turn right (south) – drive up river to Holter Dam, then continue south along Holter Lake.
· Continue on to the Beartooth WMA (Wildlife Management Area)
Drive-Up in Summer, Ski or Snowshoe up in Winter
Directions (should be drivable by mid-late June):
