Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • FA L L 2 0 1 8 14 3 BOND AND TRINKUS LAKES Border Bond Creek's meander to the green waters of Bond and Trinkus Lakes, tucked high on the meadowed slopes of the Swan Crest. You're likely to encounter a steady stream of pack strings on the way to Bond Lake, owing to its fishing-friendly reputa- tion. But abundant huckleberries, and the far-quieter shores of Trinkus Lake, an 11.4-mile roundtrip, should persuade hikers. Sitting in a slide-scoured glacial cirque, Bond Lake offers horse-trampled campsites sites amid lush meadow of high fireweed, false hellebore, false huckleberry, and cow parsnip. Fish dimple its surface. Trinkus Lake occupies a high hanging valley just below the flowered defile of the Swan Crest, its wind-driven surface a kaleidoscope of color reflecting off the steep brushfields above. Conservationists (myself included) would like to see this portion of the Swan Crest set aside as wilderness. Hikers looking for a shorter excursion can make the 4-mile roundtrip hike from the trailhead to Bond Creek Falls, which plunges some 20 feet through a narrow crack in the bedrock into an inviting plunge pool. Be aware, though, that the best huckleberries on the trail—and some of the best in the area—lie a mile or so past the falls. GETTING THERE Two miles south of Swan Lake on Montana Highway 83 (milepost 70), immediately south of the lower Bond-Trinkus trailhead, turn east onto Lost Creek Road (Forest Road 680). Drive 1.5 miles, then bear left onto FR 9507, continuing for 0.7 mile to the road's end and trailhead (elev. 3350 feet). BIRCH LAKE e foot-traffic-only Jewel Basin Hiking Area has a lake for every preference. Like lounging on the grassy lawn of a shallow tarn? Pick Picnic Lakes. How about plunging into a deep, granite-set pool? Choose Crater Lake. For an easy introduc- tion to the calling cards of the Jewel Basin—quiet pools and copious flowers—hike the 6-mile roundtrip to Birch Lake. Aside from a brief ascent out of the trailhead, most of the hike follows a nearly level course as it sidehills across steep slopes awash in color from purple pen- stemon, lupine, aster, and more. e wildflowers thrive thanks to the copious snowfall of the Swans, the long north-south bulwark against the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Birch Lake occupies a broad, flat bench on the Swan Crest, its numerous spits and inlets sheltering semi-private swimming and tenting spots. Birch Lake is perhaps the busiest destina- tion in the Jewel Basin, but ambitious hikers can leave the crowds behind and continue another three miles—with blooms and berries as added motivation—to the granite tub of Crater Lake. Rock outcroppings plunge immediately into cold, chest-deep water below; you'd be hard-pressed to find a better shore from which to cannonball. GETTING THERE See directions for Jewel Basin Loop, previous page. 2

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