Scalplock Lookout

After hiking the Highline Loop, we spent a day driving around Flathead Lake, which claims to be the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the Western states. Along the way, we stopped at a couple of state park units, a winery, and a brewpub.

On the next morning, Dave and I got up early to hike Scalplock Lookout, which Dave picked out because it looked challenging (over 3000 vertical feet in 5 miles) and did not require driving through the national park. The trailhead was an easy drive east on Hwy 2.

I was concerned that the climb would be unpleasant, based on some reviews. However, Dave picked a perfect hike for both of us. The ascent was gradual in the beginning, crossing a creek on a wobbly bridge rated for one hiker at a time. Although it was very windy, the heavy forest shielded us.

The terrain seemed like favorable grizzly country, so we passed the time alternately yelling out, “Hey Bear;” and out-of-tune singing of old classic rock songs from our youth. Eventually, we rose above tree line and were greeted with amazing views and brooding skies.

From the false summit, we climbed more steeply across a beautiful meadow of wildflowers. If I was a bear, this is where I would hang out all day, but no bears were seen on this hike.

At the summit, there was an unoccupied ranger lookout: a sign indicated that they would be back by the weekend. We ate trail mix at their small picnic table (who hauled that up there?) and rehydrated. We gave each other high fives just like we did in ninth grade basketball and headed back down for just under ten miles. A perfect hike and a great day with an old friend.