Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/1285019
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 • F A L L 2 0 2 0 30 WHERE Near Marias Pass, Highway 2 WHY GO Beautiful hike to the pass, great views and color from the top; lower elevation hike through aspens and meadows WHEN TO GO Late September for up high; early October for lower elevations NEARBY CAMPGROUNDS Summit Campground at Marias Pass (Forest Service) ACTIVITIES HIKING/PHOTOGRAPHY: Firebrand Pass—moderate, 4.9 miles, 2210 ft elevation gain; Autumn Creek—easy, up to 15 miles total, level elevation gain HOW TO GET THERE Highway 2 at mile marker 203, approximately 5 miles east of Marias Pass and 6 miles west of East Glacier The Firebrand Pass/Autumn Creek trails traverse both high country and lowlands, so it takes in zones that show off their colors both at the end of September (Firebrand Pass—high elevation shrubs, such as mountain ash, huckleberry and grouse whortleberry, which turn deep red), and early October (Autumn Creek—aspens and cottonwoods, for yellows and light oranges). The pass gets its name from a wildfire that raced over the ridge line in the early 1900s, but there is no trace of that now. Park at mile marker 203 on Highway 2. A dirt trail leads across the railroad tracks and into the Park. Almost immediately the trail passes through lush aspen groves. After 1.4 miles the trail crosses the Autumn Creek Trail. Turning left or right on this relatively level trail takes you through more aspen groves and meadows, affording tunnel views of the John Stevens Canyon through the bright yellow canopy. From there, the Firebrand Pass Trail begins to climb, first through more aspen groves, but eventually emerges with sweeping views to the southeast to the Badger-Two Medicine area, south of Highway 2. The trail is lined with brick red mountain ash full of bright crimson berries. Circling around Calf Robe Mountain, the pass is reached at the 3.5-mile mark from the junction with Autumn Creek Trail, affording expansive views to the west of the southern reaches of the Park. FireBrand Pa Autumn Crk