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kvpair Member


Joined: 18 Apr 2018 Posts: 51 | TRs Location: Sammamish
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Hello all,
We're planning on a road trip out to Jackson in the 2nd-3'rd week of July and wanted to do some day trips along the way. We were looking at stopping either in Kalispell (detour) or in Missoula for a break and some hiking.Wife and I have a 8 year old with a range of about 7-8 miles, wife doesn't backpack.
(1) Near Kalispell we were looking at the Jewel Lakes basin or the Glacier View Ranger District - we'd like to do Mt Aeneas but not sure if our Toyota Camry will make it up, otherwise Link Lake, Tongue Mountain and Blackfoot Lake also seemed like possibilities. So did Link Lake/Lake Mountain or Nasukoin Mt
(2) Near Missoula there did not seem to be all that much other than Sentinel Peak though I could be totally wrong.
So, is it worth it to make the detour to Kalispell? Or are there better options?
thx
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whitebark Member


Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 1819 | TRs Location: Seattle
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Missoula has some good alpine hiking areas south of town in the Bitterroot Mountains. The hike up to St. Mary's Peak is spectacular. Near the town of Hamilton is Blodgett Canyon. Further south, The Lake Como Loop trail is relatively easy and scenic.
Right in Missoula is the Rattlesnake Creek recreation area. The walk up the canyon is easy and scenic, good if you are limited for time and need a quick forest getaway.
Mt. Sentinal (starting from Patee Canyon) is quick to reach also. Most of the way, this is a mellow forest hike. Good view from the top.
So you can easily spend several days staying in Missoula and doing hikes.
Hope this helps! |
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kvpair Member


Joined: 18 Apr 2018 Posts: 51 | TRs Location: Sammamish
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Thanks Whitebark. So is your take not to divert to Kalispell since our ultimate destination is Jackson Hole? Just trying to figure out if the Kalispell diversion is worth it or can be more usefully included in a separate trip to Glacier NP...... |
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olderthanIusedtobe Member


Joined: 05 Sep 2011 Posts: 5991 | TRs Location: Shoreline
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To chime in, Kalispell doesn't make any sense if you aren't planning to go to Glacier NP.
I definitely enjoyed poking around in the Bitterroots a little bit. Blodgett Canyon (saw a young moose crashing around by a creek right by the trail head) and Trapper Peak. The peak is the high point of the range and is a walk up, fantastic view at much of the rest of the range. |
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Pyrites Member


Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Posts: 1099 | TRs Location: South Sound
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Evening in Missoula. Short season A baseball.
Go Osprey.
Best. |
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monorail Member


Joined: 06 May 2012 Posts: 235 | TRs
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Great bookstore in Missoula: 'Shakespeare & Co.' |
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sarbar Hiking Momma!


Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 7826 | TRs Location: Freeland, Wa
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Kalispell is the gate to GNP. It's a LONG drive off of 90 to get there. A pretty drive, but still a drive. You can find plenty to do along the way to Jackson Hole - are you driving though Yellowstone??
-------------- Freezer Bag Cooking, Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear And Beyond:
http://blog.trailcooking.com/ |
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kvpair Member


Joined: 18 Apr 2018 Posts: 51 | TRs Location: Sammamish
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Yes, it seems that Kalispell is a better detour when we do Glacier - likely next year. So Missoula it is - on the way to the Tetons and Yellowstone. Our plan is to stay in Jackson Hole and make a few drives to Yellowstone early in the AM.
I'm sure Yellowstone will be a complete zoo..... |
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kvpair Member


Joined: 18 Apr 2018 Posts: 51 | TRs Location: Sammamish
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Quote: |
Near the town of Hamilton is Blodgett Canyon. Further south, The Lake Como Loop trail is relatively easy and scenic. |
Blodgett seems really spectacular, so we are definitely doing that one, Lake Como seems pretty nice too, so probably save it for on the way back.
Missoula also looks like a good food place too - especially for cheapos like me. |
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olderthanIusedtobe Member


Joined: 05 Sep 2011 Posts: 5991 | TRs Location: Shoreline
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kvpair wrote: |
I'm sure Yellowstone will be a complete zoo..... |
I would certainly expect it to be
Another worthwhile side trip is to exit the NE corner of Yellowstone near Cooke City and take the Beartooth Highway up to Beartooth Pass. Over 11,000 ft., lakes everywhere, pretty area. |
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