So you want to get away from it all and see some pristine country for a day or even perhaps an overnight adventure? There are some great day hikes and backpack trips to alpine meadows and lakes nestled beneath rugged Montana peaks.

The Leggat Spire/Branham Lakes area of the Tobacco Root Range is the perfect location for a day of adventure or car camping at a campground. The drive up Mill Creek from the small town of Sheridan to the 9,000-foot basin is breathtaking. Leggat Spire looming over the Branham Lakes is picturesque, the spires reflection on the lake is wrinkled by trout as they feed. Once at the campground at the end of the road a number of lakes, tarns and alpine meadows await. Some may want to trek a mile to the mountain pass beyond to see what is on the other side or explore the upper basin of fairy tale tarns and meadows with the mountain goats. An old mine adit provides some interesting exploring or perhaps lounging on one of the numerous rock slabs in the sun with a vantage point will seem fitting. It's all up to you.

The South Gorge Lake Basin of the East Pioneers makes for a wilderness-backpacking trip of two or more days. The trail climbs three and a half miles through the sub alpine forest and meadows and eventually into the scattered stands of gnarly, stunted pines to the lake. A head awaits South Gorge Lake at the foot of Tweedy Mountain, the highest of the Pioneer Range at 11,154 feet. Surrounding the lake on three sides are steep rugged peaks sprinkled with snowfields, crumholtzs, and alpine meadows. The brilliant dark blue skies at this altitude make for starry nights and unbelievable views of the Milky Way. The next day awaits good fishing, hikes or just taking in the scenery. Non technical scrambles can also be done to the top of most of the peaks including Tweedy Mountain. You can see forever up there on the roof of Montana!

Ron Brunckhorst

PO Box 78

Wilsall, MT 59086

Phone: 406-578-2155

ryp@climbmontana.com

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