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 23 LAVA LAKE TRAIL LOCATION: Between Bozeman & Big Sky DISTANCE: 5.5 miles (out and back) DIFFICULTY: Moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 1,620 feet Lava Lake is a challenging hike that climbs to a beautiful mountain lake in the Spanish Peaks section of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. e trail is located in the Gallatin Canyon between Bozeman and Big Sky and is one of the most popular trails in the area. e majority of the hike fol- lows Cascade Creek up and through a dense evergreen forest. e hike is a steady uphill climb on a well-trodden, rocky single-track. At the end of the hike you will emerge from the trees to a stunning view of the 47- acre Lava Lake, nestled among its snow-dusted mountain surroundings. HOW TO GET THERE: Take Hwy. 191 south into Gallatin Canyon. Drive 20 miles to the Lava Lake trailhead parking area on the right, just north of the Gallatin River Bridge. FOUR DANCES TRAIL LOCATION: Billings DISTANCE: 2.6 miles (round trip) DIFFICULTY: Moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 590 feet Four Dances Trail is located in the Four Dances Natural Area, a special recreation management area comprised of 765 acres of undeveloped open space two miles east of downtown Billings. Located on a plateau high above the Yellowstone River, the area affords spectacular views of the valley and the city itself. At just over 2.5 miles, Four Dances is a great challenge for intermediate hikers. If you head left at the begin- ning, you'll walk along the rim of the plateau that is edged with cliffs that drop 200-500 feet down to the Yellowstone River. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the panoramic views of Billings, the Yellowstone River, and Pryor Mountains. HOW TO GET THERE: From Old Hardin Road (U.S. Highway 87), turn south onto Coburn Road just east of the Interstate 90 exit. Signs for the Pictograph Caves State Park mark the spot to turn onto Coburn Road. Drive 1.5 miles on Coburn Rd. to the Four Dances parking lot. OUSEL FALLS TRAIL LOCATION: Big Sky DISTANCE: 1.6 miles (out and back) DIFFICULTY: Easy ELEVATION GAIN: 400 feet Ousel Falls Trail is a short but stunning hike in the heart of Big Sky along a well-maintained trail system with beautifully crafted timber frame bridges. is 1.6 mile hike crosses a ravine over the South Fork of the Gallatin River and meanders through the woods before ending at the 100-foot Ou- sel Falls. e waterfall itself is very broad and forms a large, ever-changing wall of ice during the winter. ere are multiple locations to observe the falls once you reach it and the chance of seeing ice climbers. HOW TO GET THERE: From Four Corners, head south on Hwy. 191 toward Big Sky. Drive about 30 miles, then turn right onto Big Sky Spur Road. Continue 3 miles and turn left onto Ousel Falls Road. Look for the Ousel Falls Park sign on the left. MILWAUKEE RAILROAD TRAIL LOCATION: Butte DISTANCE: 4.5 miles (out and back) DIFFICULTY: Easy ELEVATION GAIN: 400 feet Just a few miles south of Butte, the Milwaukee Railroad Trail through ompson Park offers a scenic and historic journey along a section of the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. is gently sloping trail extends from the forest boundary south to Pipestone Pass and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. is section of railroad was one of the first in the country to be electrified; omas Edison even came out to Butte to ride the Milwaukee Road. e relics of the past are highlights of this trail and include two tunnels and a breathtaking 600-foot trestle that rises 130 feet above the valley floor. e trail ends just 100 yards from the 2,300-foot-long Pipestone Pass tunnel, which is closed to the pub- lic. Not only is the Milwaukee Railroad Trail a fairly easy hike, it also gives hikers an unforgettable glimpse into Montana's history. HOW TO GET THERE: Take State Route 2 south of Butte for about nine miles and follow the signs. 2 3 4 5 Lava Lake Ousel Falls CHRISTINA McEVOY

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