W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M
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JEWEL BASIN LOOP
e Jewel Basin Hiking Area, east of Bigfork, is the centerpiece of the Swans: a clutch of subalpine tarns, from grassy
lawns to deep lakes set under massive shadowed peaks, dotting wildflower-clad meadows and open ridgelines. Outside of
Glacier National Park, this hiker-only trail system is perhaps the only place in western Montana where you'll encounter a
full trailhead parking lot. But the hiking hordes are adequately spread out over dozens of miles of singletrack, and nowhere
more than on this 10-mile highlight reel of the Swan
Range. From the popular Misery Camp trailhead, the
Jewel Basin Loop climbs to a notch in the Swan Crest
before descending to the shallow pair of Picnic Lakes,
which sprawl out below a large cirque, before crossing
crocus-filled meadows and spruce forest to Black Lake
at the base of Mount Aeneas (a worthwhile hike in
its own right). e loop continues to the shallow and
grassy Jewel Lakes and the burnt snags and brush of
Blackfoot Lake before climbing back to the Swan
Crest and an aerial view of Twin Lakes before a return
to Misery Camp.
GETTING THERE From the junction of Montana highways 35
and 83 north of Bigfork, head east on MT 83 for 2.7 miles to
the community of Echo Lake. Turn left (north) on Echo Lake
Road and proceed for 2.2 miles, then turn right onto Foothill
Road. After 1.1 miles, continue straight on Jewel Basin
Road and follow this steep, washboarded road for 6.3 miles
to the road's end at Misery Camp trailhead (elev. 5750 feet).
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