Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 24 BEEHIVE BASIN TRAIL LOCATION: Big Sky DISTANCE: 6.6 miles (out and back) DIFFICULTY: Moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 1,500 feet e hike to Beehive Basin offers every hallmark of Big Sky Country: glacier-cut mountains, alpine lakes, and top-of-the-world views. It was even ranked in the top ten greatest hikes in the world by Austin-Lehman Adventures for Fox News. is 6.6 mile hike slopes up moderately giving stunning views of Lone Peak along the way. After 3.3 miles, the trail enters Beehive Basin, a u-shaped gla- cial cirque with an unnamed crystal clear lake that overlooks Lone Peak. Scramble another half mile up to 10,742-foot Beehive Peak to enjoy even more views. HOW TO GET THERE: From downtown Bozeman, head west on Huff- ine Lane toward Four Corners. Take a left onto Hwy. 191 toward Big Sky and drive 34 miles. Turn right onto Big Sky Spur Road and continue 10 miles to Beehive Basin Road on your right. Turn right and drive 2 miles to the posted trailhead on your left. BLODGETT CANYON TRAIL LOCATION: Hamilton DISTANCE: 7 miles (out and back) DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 600 Feet It's been called by some the Bitterroot Valley's version of Yosem- ite. Blodgett Canyon was carved out by ice age glaciers, which left behind sheer granite cliffs that rise more than 2,000 feet above the waters of Blodgett Creek. e trail is surprisingly gentle as it slowly meanders along and above the creek. e Nez Perce Buttress, Blackfoot Dome, and Shoshone Spire pass by on the right as you make your way to the three-mile mark, where a bridge crosses the creek from south to north. A good lunch spot and turnaround point for winter hikers falls around the 3.5 mile mark, which is also where you'll be met by the charming Blodgett Falls. HOW TO GET THERE: Take Highway 93 south and turn right onto Bowman Road. Take the first left onto W. River Road, turn left onto Ricketts Road and continue onto Blodgett Camp Road. Turn right to stay on Blodgett Camp Road and continue to the trailhead. 6 7 Hiking deep snow to hot springs www.distinctlymontana.com/hikes201 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL SO ZIP UP YOUR JACKET, STRAP ON YOUR YAKTRAX, AND HEAD FOR THE TRAILHEAD FOR A QUICK REMEDY TO YOUR CABIN FEVER. BOB WEBSTER KURTIS MINSTER 1906 TRAIL ON MOUNT HELENA LAVA LAKE TRAIL FOUR DANCES TRAIL OUSEL FALLS TRAIL MILWAUKEE RAILROAD TRAIL BEEHIVE BASIN TRAIL BLODGETT CANYON TRAIL

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