Distinctly Montana Magazine

it is. Its graceful arcs and broad faces are irresistible to the individu- al who has acquired a taste for lofty places. Even with the incompre- hensible peaks of Glacier National Park nearby, this mountain attracts many climbers solely on the virtues of its beauty and isolated splendor. This is a difficult route suitable only for backcountry hikers with strong GPS and off-trail mountain- eering skills. ILLINOIS PEAK LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate LENGTH: 10-mile round-trip; out-and-back or overnighter TRAILHEAD: 45 miles west of Missoula in the Bit- terroot Mountains. Perhaps because the higher seg- ments of the Bitterroot Mountains north of Lolo Pass are not vis- ible from a major highway, they remain relatively unpursued. On a map they are easily overlooked and underrated. None of the peaks exceeds 8,000 feet. At 7,690 feet, Illinois Peak is one of the high- est peaks in the northern Bitter- roots. The scenic out-and-back trek wends through subalpine country and offers many supreme views, as does the peak itself. LOLO PEAK LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate LENGTH: 9-mile round trip; out-and-back or overnighter TRAILHEAD: 5 miles west of Highway 12 in Lolo. Lolo Peak is very close to Missoula. Due to that short proximity, Lolo Peak (the northernmost 9,000+ foot high point in the Bit- terroots) is one of the most journeyed local peaks. Lolo Peak Trail takes hikers to the crest of Carlton Ridge, part of the cirque that contains Carlton Lake. As you hike you will see the North Summit, the splendid mountain towering above the Missoula Valley to the southwest. It is often mistaken for Lolo Peak, which is hidden and not visible from certain van- tages of the valley. Depending on whether you head for the North Summit or Lolo Peak, it is a strenuous 2,900 or 3,300- foot climb. Carlton Lake offers a bevy of well-used campsites. For those who venture onward, the trail is precipitous but the payoff immense: spectacular views into the neighboring Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the Missoula Valley. www.distinctlymontana.com Looking down from the top of Stuart Peak Lake on the hike to Great Northern MOUNT AENEAS LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy LENGTH: 10-mile loop hike; out-and-back TRAILHEAD: 4 miles south of Jewel Basin and Bigfork Road cutoff. Mount Aeneas is a gorgeous mountain apex in Flathead County, which climbs approxi- mately 7,500 feet above sea level. Thanks to its awesome views, premier mountain goat watching opportunities and mellow tread, Mount Aeneas is an extremely popular destina- tion. Situated in the tower- ing Swan Mountains, Mount Aeneas is one of the easiest summit ascents in western Montana. The 5.9-mile loop trail tops out at 7,528 feet, yielding big views for minimal work. The peak overlooks Jewel Basin, a 15,349-acre hiker-only area holding 27 radiant lakes, and its summit panorama includes Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. NORTHWEST PEAK LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate LENGTH: 4.6-mile round trip; out-and-back TRAILHEAD: 40 miles northwest of Libby Northwest Peak, elevation 7,705-feet, is the principal attraction of a high mountain ridge, the most striking por- tions of which are included in the Northwest Peak Scenic Area, an official designation of the Forest Service. The peak is a long drive from almost everywhere except the Yaak Valley, so make sure that the gas tank is full and the food and water supplies are stocked. This area normally 15

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