Montana Wilderness Association announces free guided hikes

The Montana Wilderness Association recently announced seven free guided hikes for the upcoming season.

Saturday, June 9: Kootenai Archaeology (Libby), led by Becky Timmons, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., easy.

Retrace the steps of the fur traders, 19th century miners, and Native Americans who walked the lands of what is now the Kootenai National Forest. On this easy outing, we will start our journey at the Heritage Museum and move on to discover pictographs and other historic sites of the Kootenai.

Sunday, July 8: Cube- Iron - Silcox (Thompson Falls), led by Mark and Karen Sheets, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., strenuous.

Join us and Cube-Iron Cataract Coalition for a hike on the east side of the Cube-Iron Silcox Roadless area, where you’ll find great views of a sprawling and empty valley from the heads of two drainages. Wildflowers should be abundant.

Monday, July 16: Little Spar Lake (Troy), led by Sandy Compton and Marjolien Groot Nibbelink, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., strenuous.

Offered in partnership with Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. Little Spar Lake Trail No. 143 traverses a lush glacial canyon benefited by over 80 inches of precipitation a year. Wildflowers, leftover avalanche debris, and an icy alpine lake are just a few of the many highlights.

Thursday, July 26: Rock Lake (Noxon), led by Mary Freniere and Grete Gansauer, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., moderate.

Hike with us into the heart of the Cabinet Mountains to Rock Lake. Although the hike ascends steeply to the lake, we will take it slow and steady to make sure that all can enjoy the beautiful views along the way. As we go, we’ll pause to search for wildflowers and wildlife unique to the Cabinets.

Saturday, Aug. 11: Canyon Peak (Thompson Falls), led by Grete Gansauer and Pat McLeod, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., strenuous.

Hike with us to the top of Canyon Peak at the southern edge of the Cabinet Mountains and experience one of the last remaining wild and unprotected wildlife corridors in the Kootenai region.

Friday, Aug. 17: Bluebird Lake (Eureka), led by John Larson and Carol Barnes, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., moderately strenuous.

This hike moves through lush forest and offers scenic views and wildflower meadows. Bluebird Lake is in a meadow at the foot of a cliff face with plenty of space for relaxing. There is great fishing for cutthroat trout.

Sunday, Sept. 16: Mount Henry (Yaak), led by Jessie Grossman, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., extremely strenuous.

Offered in partnership with the Yaak Valley Forest Council. Hike with us to the summit of Mount Henry and enjoy views of the Yaak Valley, one of the wildest remaining landscapes in Montana. We’ll break through the damp old-growth forests of the Yaak and emerge on a rocky ridge line where views of the Yaak and into Canada abound.

For more information, contact Grete Gansauer at 406-284-1747 or ggansauer@wildmontana.org.