Elk Mountain

All four of us resolved to hike together.  Dave did such a good job of picking out the Scalplock Lookout hike that we let him research the hike for the group.  He picked Elk Mountain because it was “only” about three miles up once the trail started.  Unfortunately, it was also 3000 feet of vertical climb.  We did not reach the summit, but it was a great adventure.

The trail is not well-marked, and we drove past the turn-off twice before we drove out on to a gravel access road at the base of the mountain.  Even then, we had to use my Gaia app and research some trail maps before we confirmed that we were in the right spot. The right spot is on Road 1066 directly across from Mile Marker 192 on Hwy 2.

There is no trailhead sign that we could find, but we did find an unmarked trail to the right of the gravel road (and just before all of the “no trespassing signs”), which leads to the railroad access road.  That access road crosses the tracks.  Soon after that, there is a trailhead sign for Elk Mountain.

This hike was a lesson in patience.  Everyone has different hiking styles.  Dave and I like to get up and go.  Ruth and Julia prefer to rise a bit later and enjoy a pancake breakfast. As a result, by the time, we started hiking,  the sun had already come up over the mountain.

The steep ascent grew hotter and dryer as we climbed.  The hike was challenging for all of us, but Ruth had never hiked anything quite so challenging.  Ruth is almost always in a good mood, and that changed as the hike became more and more brutal. 

We took a long siesta in a meadow to discuss whether to proceed.

Ruth was willing to continue or wait for us as we continued, but we decided as a group to head back down.  While the descent was not as heart-pounding, it wasn’t easy either.  I slipped a few times and almost ended up flat on my butt.  Turning around improved Ruth’s mood.  Soon, she was back to smiling and singing. We made it to the railroad tracks and back to the vehicle, no worse for wear.

The women decided that the hike wasn’t nearly as beautiful as some of the other trails that we hiked in the park.  On the other hand, Dave and I appreciated the challenge of the hike. We also appreciated the solitude of not seeing another hiker for four hours.  That doesn’t happen on the popular trails.

Someday, I’d like to finish that hike, but there are so many great trails in the area.  I know one thing. I want to return to this area of Montana again but with the Brew Hut (Scamp trailer).

That night, we celebrated our hike with excellent “Jersey-style” pizza at North Fork Pizza in Columbia Falls.  Then we hung out at the Farmer’s Market, which included live music.  A great day with friends!  One more day to hike, and then it’s time to go  back home.