Hiking around Flathead Lake

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The Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam, Formally KERR Dam

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Went hiking around the Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ dam the other day. The gates are open wide at the south end of Flathead Lake. Really, if you haven’t seen it, it is worth the time spent. You wont even need bear spray. The staircase is steep on the way back up. Mike’s advise:  take it one step at a time.

See you on the trail.

The Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam, Formally KERR Dam

The Dam is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana. It is a concrete gravity-arch dam, built in 1938. The Dam is owned and managed by The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in conjunction with others. The purchase was complete in 2015. During the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ celebration of their acquisition of the dam, the Tribal Council announced renaming the complex to reflect the three confederated tribes.

The Kerr Dam, officially known since 2015 as the Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam

The Go Hike With Mike Trail Guide

Purchase the Go Hike With Mike Trail Guide. Read the Table of Contents

Mission Mountain Wilderness Videos

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Mission Mountain Wilderness

The Mission Mountain Range is the gateway to the Mission Mountain Wilderness Area, a 73,877-acre paradise for hiking, camping and fishing. An area of outstanding scenic beauty–rugged, snowcapped peaks, several small glaciers, alpine lakes, meadows and clear cold streams. Popularly known as the American Alps, the overpowering western face of the Missions pierces the sky almost 7,000 feet above the valley floor. The apex of the range is a glacier-studded 9,280-foot McDonald Peak in the rugged south, where a dozen other summits rise above 9,000 feet. Permanent snow fields feed hundreds of gem-like tarns (glacier formed lakes) in one of the highest densities of alpine lakes in the Northern Rockies. Waterfalls are abundant, with the best known being the 1,000-foot plunges of Elizabeth and Mission Falls.

In 1979 the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes designated 89,500 acres of privately owned tribal lands along the western slopes as Wilderness. This is the only Tribal Wilderness in the nation to be established by the actual tribe. In the words of the Mission Mountains Committee: ‘These mountains belong to our children, and when our children grow old they will belong to their children. In this way and for this reason these mountain are sacred.’

The west side Tribal Wilderness is managed with a priority for wildlife. Each summer grizzlies gather on the snow fields of McDonald Peak to feast on swarms of cutworm moths and ladybugs. In order to avoid displacing these great bears, the tribe closes about 12,000 acres to all public use from mid-July to October, The closed area is part of a larger trail less region that serves to discourage humans from entering the grizzly’s home during a critical time.

If you are not a tribal member, and are between the ages of 18 and 64, you must obtain and carry a tribal recreation permit, which entitles you to hike, fish, camp and enjoy the Wilderness as well as other Flathead Reservation lands that are open to recreation.

Flathead River Videos

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This page contains videos of Montana’s Flathead River. Thank you for visiting. You can subscribe to Mike’s YouTube channel to enjoy new videos as those hikes get hiked. See you on the trail.

Flathead Lake Videos The Flathead River, in the northwestern part of Montana, originates in the Rocky Mountains near Glacier National Park and flows southwest into Flathead Lake.

These videos of the Flathead River were taken near Sloan’s Bridge west of Ronan.  The land you see in these videos resides within the Flathead Reservation.

A Tribal permit is required to recreate.

You can purchase your permits at these locations..

Pablo, MT at Zimmer Tackle
Plains, MT at Plains Service Center
Polson, MT at – CSKT, DFWRC, 406 6th Avenue East and Wal-Mart
Ronan, MT at Westland Seed
St. Ignatius, MT at Allard’s Stage Stop

 

Flathead River Videos

The Go Hike with Mike trail guide contains most every trail head in the Flathead and Kootenai Forest as well as the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness.

Click here to purchase your copy.

The Go Hike with Mike Trail Guide contains most every trail head around Flathead Lake.  The guide includes trails as far north as Polebridge.  It contains the Hungry Horse recreation area, the Swan Front and Swan Valley to the east.  To the north the guide contains trail head and campground information around Tally Lake.

Flathead Lake Videos – Yellow Bay

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Videos of Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake

Yellow Bay on Flathead LakeYellow Bay is in the heart of the famous Montana sweet cherry orchards. Cherry blossoms color the hillsides during spring. In the summer, cherries can be purchased at nearby roadside stands or U-Pick orchards. The park includes Yellow Bay Creek and a wide, gravelly beach. Among its attractions are boating, lake trout fishing, water skiing, bird watching, swimming, camping, and scuba diving. The park is 15 acres in size at an elevation of 2,907 feet. It offers 5 tent sites.

There are both flush and vault toilets, a group day-use area, pedestal grills, picnic tables, trash cans, and drinking water. No open fires are allowed, only charcoal. There is a 14 day camping limit during a 30 day period. Boat ramp and dock available. A joint state/tribal fishing license is required at this sit. Campground open May 1 through September 30.
Fees are charged for camping and day use.

For more information about Yellow Bay State Park on Flathead Lake visit http://stateparks.mt.gov 

Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake

The Go Hike with Mike trail guide contains most every trail head in the Flathead and Kootenai Forest as well as the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness.  Click here to purchase your copy.

Flathead Lake Videos

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Flathead Lake VideosThese are all Flathead Lake Videos. There are thirteen public access sites around the lake. These sites include: Sportsman’s Bridge, Somers, Bigfork, and Juniper Beach fishing access sites; Wayfarers, Woods Bay, Yellow Bay, Finely Point, Walstad Memorial, Big Arm, and Elmo. These state recreation areas, complete with toilets, boat launch, camping areas, as well as, swimming and picnic facilities.

One of the greatest attractions on Flathead Lake in Big Arm is Wildhorse Island. The Island is a 2,165-acre state park. The park is accessible only by boat and is a public day use and picnic area only, no overnight camping.

The Go Hike with Mike trail guide contains most every trail head in the Flathead and Kootenai Forest as well as the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness.  Click here to purchase your copy.

Flathead Lake Videos

-hidden harbor

The Go Hike with Mike trail guide contains most every trail head in the Flathead and Kootenai Forest as well as the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness.  Click here to purchase your copy.

Recreation on and around Flathead Lake: sailing, power boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and camping. In the summer, roadside stands along the east shore offer a variety of locally grown cherries, apples, plums, and other fruits. There are numerous motels and rental cabins in addition to public campgrounds scattered all around the shoreline. The major population centers around the lake are Kalispell, Bigfork, and Polson, all of which offer a complete variety of groceries, supplies, and information.

Hiking Videos Montana

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Hiking Videos Montana:

Hiking Videos MontanaHiking in Montana is a great way to explore the state while experiencing nature and wildlife. Mike has taken some videos of day hikes.  He thought you might enjoy watching them. Each trail offers an adventure into the vast openness of Montana. From scenic day hikes in Glacier National Park to multi-day wilderness excursions in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Grab your backpack and find a trail that’s right for you.

See you on the trail.

Thank you for viewing our hiking videos Montana.  Mike hopes you enjoyed them.

If you are looking for a good trail that is easy to get to and find, consider Bear Dance Trail. The Flathead Lake Bear Dance Trail is 6.7 miles long and climbs about 2,200 feet. It begins off of Highway # 35 from the Beardance Trailhead and follows Forest Road #10222 and terminates at Crane Mountain Road #498.  The trail is open to: hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

The Go Hike with Mike trail guide contains most every trail head in the Flathead and Kootenai Forest as well as the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness.  Click here to purchase your copy.