Mike

ESTES LAKE TRAIL #96

The Estes Lake trail is 1.5 miles long. It begins at the junction with Road #498 and ends at Estes Lake.

The trail starts out climbing slightly, goes over a knoll, and then descends, winding through the topography and between small wetlands; there is a small cedar grove near the lake. Estes Lake is a tannic lake bordered by lily pads and scattered with blue dragon flies (depending on the time of year).

The trail is open for Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) less than or equal to 50 inches wide, 2 wheeled vehicles, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.

Estes Lake trail directions, from Bigfork, go south on Highway 35 for 0.7 miles, turning left onto Hwy 209. Stay on 209 for 3 miles, turning right at the light onto South Ferndale Rd. After 2 miles, merge right.

Mike has been up and down this trail many times. It is a favorite for out of area friends and guests. If you want to make it interesting you can begin the trail down and it breaks off to many different points. The beauty is it is really hard to get lost. If you Hike down you end at Flathead Lake, or Crane Mountain. In either case civilization is just around the corner.

If you are hiking somewhere other then around Montana’s Flathead Lake be sure to check out the Top 100 Hiking Blogs from Feed Spot.

Hiking in Montana Videos

Hiking in Montana. Enjoy some videos from Mike’s Hikes around northwest Montana. There are unlimited hiking options available to you. If you are looking for more vacationing information and less hiking information try the Montana’s Flathead Lake Vacation Guide. If your still reading I will assume you are interested in our trail guide, or maybe to enjoy some video clips. Be sure to subscribe to Mike’s YouTube channel.

Hiking in Montana

The Mission Mountain Wilderness

Hiking in Montana

Mike receives countless inquires about good trails and camping spots around Flathead Lake. There is clearly a need for more detailed information about hiking around Flathead Lake. This website and trail guide are the trails Mike would like to recommend to you during your visit to northwest Montana.

Hiking Flathead Lake The trail guide is focused on trails, camping and being in the woods. Mike’s Flathead Lake Trail Guide breaks the area in five easy to use sections. North of Flathead lake, including The Talley Lake area and due north to Polebridge. East of Flathead Lake, including the Swan Front, Swan Valley, and on into the Hungry Horse recreation area. The guide contains most every trail Mike has hiked in the last 20 years or plans to hike in the next 20 years.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR COPY.

Don’t need the hiking guide, just some basic trail information, do not fret. Mike has included some beginner to medium hikes on this website. Depending on were you as staying there is most likely a trail head near you. Thanks for visiting, hope to see you on the trail.

Mission Mountain Wilderness Videos

The Mission Mountain Wilderness 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, over the age of 11, 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

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

Videos of Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake

Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake Yellow 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

These 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

Hiking Videos Montana:

Hiking Videos Montana Hiking 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.

Videos of Glacier National Park

The above video is of Bowman Lake in Glacier National Park. Approximately one mile wide and eight miles in length, this peaceful lake offers a front country campsite at its head and a backcountry one at its base. The Polebridge Mercantile is the only nearby store, so stock up on your camping supplies there.

Videos of Glacier National Park A picnic area provides day use visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful lunch, and there are day hiking opportunities near Bowman Lake for hikers eager to experience Glacier’s wilderness. Fisherman, canoers, and kayakers will enjoy the recreational opportunities Bowman Lake offers.

The Bowman Lake Trail departs at the northeast corner of campground, near the northwestern lakeshore. 6.7 miles from Bowman Lake Campground to Brown Pass.

Videos of Glacier National Park

Bowman Lake is in the northwestern portion of Glacier National Park in Montana. It is not commonly visited by most visitors to Glacier National Park, because it is located in one of the more remote areas of the park. It is more well-known among local residents, though, who use the small, uncrowded campground.

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.

ESTES LAKE TRAIL #96