Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 17 5 1 ONE-DAY MOUNTAIN HIKES COTTONWOOD LAKE CRAZY MOUNTAINS PROPOSED WILDERNESS e Crazy Mountains near Livingston rise dramatically from the Yellowstone River to 11, 214-foot Crazy Peak, more than 7,000 feet, about the same elevational rise as the Tetons above Jackson Hole! e Crazy Mountains were severely glaciated creating jagged peaks and beautiful cirque lakes, one of which is Cottonwood Lake. Indeed, a few relict glaciers remain hidden in pockets, including above Cottonwood Lake. e 11-mile round trip hike to Cottonwood Lake is a leg stretcher, but the scenery is as good as anything in Glacier National Park. To find the trailhead go six miles east of Livingston to Highway 89 which you follow north towards the rural community of Clyde Park. Just beyond Clyde Park, the Cottonwood Bench Road (Forest Road 198) heads east towards the range. Follow twists and turns of the road towards the Ibex Ranger Station. At a road junction on Upper Cottonwood Road, instead of continuing on to Ibex Cabin continue straight 3 more miles to the Trespass Creek/Cot- tonwood Trailhead. e first couple of miles are on an old jeep trail, now closed. At about 2 miles stay left on Trail 197. e next stretch of trail is fairly steep, but that provides lots of opportunity to stop and catch your breath and to enjoy the outstanding mountain scenery. e trail slope eventually moderates as you pass through countless flowery meadows the rest of the way to the lake, which sits in a steep glacial bowl. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Custer - Gallatin NF, Yellowstone Ranger District 5242, High- way 89, South Livingston, Montana. article & photos by GEORGE WUERTHNER M ONTANA'S WEALTH OF PUBLIC LANDS SUPPORTS A STRONG OUTDOOR INDUSTRY and is one of the main attrac- tions for relocation of retirees and businesses, not to mention it is part of the "Blue Sky Payment" that all residents enjoy daily. e following is a short sample of the many hikes available to anyone who wants to venture off the pavement. Most hikes require nothing more than a good pair of walking shoes, a daypack with a few basic items like a water bottle, map, raincoat, bug repellant, snacks, your camera and your desire to slow down and see wild nature. It is a good idea to carry a can of bear spray whenever you are in grizzly country, although much of Mon- tana is not occupied bear habitat. EVEN CHILDREN ENJOY THESE HIKES. Children with marmot at Piegan Pass Dennis Glick at Cottonwood Lake COTTONWOOD LAKE T O PP I N G O U T CONTINUED

• Cover