Trail:
Humbug Spires
DISTANCE: 6 miles round trip TIME: 3 hours DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate
OVERVIEW Sit. Stay. Healthy.
Slinky, keeping things on the down low since 2009.
Pete, helping manage the office since 2007.
If you and Fido are looking for a uniquely scenic hike near the Butte area, Humbug Spires is a great choice. It follows a tributary of the Big Hole River, Moose Creek, to unusual gran- ite outcroppings in the Boulder Mountains. The spires, some of which tower a few hundred feet, are a large attraction for rock climbers. The hike provides a variety of flora including the willowy creek side and sparsely populated pine forests peppered with a few grassy meadows. The creek and its forks provide plenty of water for the pups along the way.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
From Butte, drive south on I-15 25 miles to exit 99, Moose Creek Road. Go south on Moose Creek Road three miles on the gravel road to the trailhead parking lot.
Faithful FriendsAnimal Clinic
Small animal services including: Surgery, House Calls and 24-Hour Emergencies.
Douglas Rains D.V.M. Scott & Jennifer Baumgardner D.V.M.
406.585.PETS(7387) 205 Edelweiss Drive Bozeman, MT 59718 www.faithfulfriendsanimalclinic.net
Wag to us on Facebook! 84 DISTINCTLY MONTANA • SUMMER 2012
HIKING DIRECTIONS The trail starts just below the trail sign below the park- ing area. The path follows Moose Creek, with views of its willows and shrubs that make an ideal habitat for its namesake moose. Continue to stroll through a few meadows and woods along the creek. There are plenty of opportunities for your dogs to find new sticks to chew and chomp along the way.
After
about a mile and a half, the trail leaves the path of the creek and climbs a bit. You will come across the remains of a log miner's cabin. Continue to hike the last, but steeper, mile and a half to reach "The Wedge," which is one of the more pronounced outcroppings.
This handy paperback is available for $18.95 from bookstores or pruettpublishing.com.
Uma's notes:
For a surly bird dog like myself, it was a great place for a good run and no bird scents to dis- tract me from the sights. Just enough gain to work off the extra biscuits, but not too hard on my swollen joints.
Milo's notes:
I love finding random sticks along the way. The last climb was a good one, but I loved the downhill relief back to the creek.
