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 • S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 3 8 shoulder on your left with a trailhead sign marking the start to Huckleberry Mountain Lookout trail. The hike travels through a heavily forested valley and gains the north- ern end of the ridge. Next, traverse across a hillside with amazing views toward Apgar and Lake McDonald. Winding up and around the beautiful beargrass, you eventually reach a bend in the trail where spectacular summits such as Mount Carter, Rainbow Peak, Kintla Peak, and Glacier Park's northwestern moun- tain front captivate your view. Continuing on the trail, you finally get sight of the wooden lookout atop the summit of Huckle- berry Mountain. A beautiful winding trail takes you from the final ridgeline to its base, with unlimited views along the way. The views from the lookout are genuinely breathtaking, as you can see from Kalispell and Flathead Lake all the way north into Canada. STAHL PEAK LOOKOUT 7,453' TRAILHEAD: Located at the end of Forest Service Road 7022 HIKE DISTANCE: 4.7 Miles (One-Way) with 2,100' Elevation Gain RENTAL AVAILABILITY: Yes, $35 Per Night HIKE DIFFICULTY: Hard To reach the Stahl Peak trailhead, travel from Whitefish north toward Eureka, taking a right on Grave Creek Road Northwest until it changes to Forest Service Road 7022. Follow the road to a ten-car parking area marking the start of the Stahl Peak Lookout trail. As the trail winds up the heavily treed canyon, you gain a hillside that offers spectacular views of the Ten Lakes Scenic Area and its alpine valleys. Heading up the trail, you'll reach a number of trail crossroads where signed directions point you toward Stahl Peak Lookout. Nearing the top you will cross a small valley via a ridgeline that provides an expansive view of Glacier Park, with a beautiful alpine lake sitting below. Once reaching the summit lookout, you are greeted with a diverse view of nature, varying from treed hills to the Rocky Mountain front shooting skywards toward the north. This lookout is a great hike and a great overnight stay if you choose. The lookout can be reached throughout the year and is a great option for early or late season hikes. MEADOW PEAK LOOKOUT 6710' TRAILHEAD: Meadow Peak Lookout Road No. 511 DISTANCE: Drive up to base of Lookout RENTAL AVAILABILITY: Yes, $45 Per Night HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy To reach the Meadow Peak Lookout, travel from Libby east on Highway 2 forty miles until you take a left at Meadow Peak Lookout Road No. 511, continuing for 8.7 miles until you reach the base of Meadow Peak Lookout. The Meadow Peak Lookout provides a spectacular view from its 10' tall structure, entirely encircled by a catwalk that peers out into the heavily-treed Cabinet Mountain wilderness. This lookout offers a great family-friendly option with a minimal approach and maximum amount of time to spend enjoying the great outdoors with your family or loved ones. UP UP LOOKOUT 5,964' TRAILHEAD: Forest Service Road 3816 takes you to the base of the Up Up Lookout DISTANCE: 80 miles west of Missoula then 17 miles to the Lookout RENTAL AVAILABILITY: Yes, $45 Per Night HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy To get to the Up Up Lookout, travel 80 miles west of Missoula on I-90 and take Exit 26 to Ward Creek Road. Follow the zig-zag- ging dirt road until you hang a right on Forest Service Road 3816 and take it 14 miles to the base of the lookout tower. A gate re- stricting cars stands three miles from the base of the lookout and must be respected if closed. The Up Up Lookout is a spectacular getaway if you're around the Missoula area, with nothing but pristine St. Regis River country and endless alpine air to breathe in. The lookout is a popular destination throughout the summer, so consider making reservations many months in advance. The lookout stands 40 feet tall and is an impressive sight, one of western Montana's great gems! A few of the typical items found within lookouts: a wood stove, bunk beds, and playing cards. Even in summer, snow is always possible at these elevations, so be prepared Garnett Mountain Lookout stands proud among the Southwestern Montana Skies

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