Shows / Trail of the Week
Trail of the Week
Sign up to get the Trail of the Week texted to you every week at wildmontana.org/podcast
Episodes
Trail of the WeekLoco Mountain
In the northern Crazy Mountains, the long hike up Loco Mountain serves up stunning views of the Crazy, Bridger, and Absaroka ranges.From the trailhead outside…
Trail of the WeekDunham Creek Trail
Just north of Ovando and not far from Missoula, a walk along Dunham Creek makes for a great spring stroll. You'll cross a waterfall along the way, have a…
Trail of the WeekAntone Peak
In southwest Montana’s Snowcrest Range, the hike up Antone Peak serves up big views of the surrounding country,and you’re likely to have them all to yourself…
Trail of the WeekThe Rims
For a unique perspective on Billings and the Yellowstone Valley, try hiking around the Rims at Zimmerman Park. The band of rocky cliffs are a well-known…
Trail of the WeekSouth Fork Lolo Creek Trail
Beginning with a gentle climb along its namesake creek, the South Fork Lolo Creek Trail is a lovely way to explore Missoula’s beautiful and wild surroundings…
Trail of the WeekSkeeboggan Trail
South of Butte, the Skeeboggan Trail is a perfect family adventure in all seasons. Following the trickling creek, the trail passes short but captivating rock…
Trail of the WeekWilderness Stories: Defending Native Land from Exploitation
Having spent 35 years working for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), the National Park Service, and Salish Kootenai College, she has firsthand…
Trail of the WeekRinging Rocks
What?!? Ringing Rocks? Yes, it's true. This week's trail is a truly unique trail right near Butte. If you don't believe it, go see - and listen - for yourself…
Trail of the WeekOusel Falls Park Trail
Located in the heart of Big Sky, the Ousel Falls Park Trail is a short stroll to a cascading waterfall, popular with locals and visitors alike. The smooth…
Trail of the WeekGraham Canyon Trail
In the Highland Mountains just south of Butte, the Graham Canyon Trail is the starting point for a moderate hike full of history and pleasant scenery. After…
Trail of the WeekDevil's Glen
If you haven't been to Devil's Glen, this magical little canyon makes for a great winter trip. It's an easy snowshoe or XC ski into the canyon, where the red…
Trail of the WeekChalk Buttes
Before winter takes hold, how about a visit to Chalk Buttes, an aptly-named rocky high point just south of Ekalaka? It's this week's Trail of the Week. Photo…
Trail of the WeekBlack Diamond Trail
A walk along Big Sky’s Black Diamond Trail is a great way to get out for some exercise and fresh air without committing to a long day. Starting from the middle…
Trail of the WeekBitter Creek Wilderness Study Area
North of Glasgow, you have the chance to stroll through 60,000 acres of grasslands and badlands in Bitter Creek Wilderness Study Area. It's a prairie…
Trail of the WeekWolverine Lakes
A stone’s throw from the Canadian border, the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area is home to the spectacular spectacular Wolverine Lakes. A steady but short climb…
Trail of the WeekWillard Creek
The Willard Creek Trail is just 2 miles from point to point, but there's a lot to enjoy on this moderate hike south of Helena. The start of the trail winds…
Trail of the WeekWarm Springs Ponds Wildlife Management Area
If you’re looking to watch birds or just stretch your legs as you drive along I-90 north of Anaconda, Warm Springs Ponds Wildlife Management Area is a great…
Trail of the WeekUpper Seymour Lake
Starting from Storm Lake outside Anaconda, the trail to Upper Seymour Lake provides a great taste of the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness. From the popular Storm…
Trail of the WeekMonument Meadows
On the edge of Yellowstone National Park between Big Sky and West Yellowstone, the Sage Creek Trail leads to big views and stunning scenery. After navigating a…
Trail of the WeekGrant Ridge Trail
On the Grant Ridge Trail outside West Glacier, you can expect to find stunning views of Glacier National Park and the Great Bear Wilderness. As you gradually…
Trail of the WeekDiane Gabriel Hadrosaur Trail
If you’ve ever wanted to see a dinosaur fossil, the short Diane Gabriel Hadrosaur loop trail in Makoshika State Park is for you! The trail winds along the rim…
Trail of the WeekBear Track Trail
South of Red Lodge, the Bear Track Trail is a steep and steady climb to the rugged and windswept Silver Run Plateau near the edge of the Absaroka-Beartooth…
Trail of the WeekAllen Peak Trail
Northeast of Trout Creek, the Allen Peak Trail serves up broad vistas of the southern Cabinet Mountains. It’s a steep and steady climb to the top, but the…
Trail of the WeekOdell Creek Trail
One of only two trails in the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, the Odell Creek Trail provides a great taste of southwest Montana. At the trailhead…
Trail of the WeekBig Creek
Southwest of Emigrant, the Big Creek Trail is a great way to explore the heart of the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area. It’s great for both…
Trail of the WeekBig Pryor Mountain
The climb up Big Pryor Mountain to the Crater Ice Cave is short, steep, and well-worth the effort! The trail winds its way through dense Douglas fir forest…
Trail of the WeekSawtooth Lake
In the West Pioneer Mountains near Polaris, the hike to Sawtooth Lake is a great adventure for all ages. The well-maintained trail follows Clark Creek through…
Trail of the WeekLost Lake
Nestled on the Idaho/Montana border, Lost Lake is a lovely alpine lake accessed by an easy day hike. The trail winds along Lost Creek, passing through emerald…
Trail of the WeekEast Fork Hyalite Divide
Overshadowed by more popular trails nearby, the East Fork Hyalite Divide Trail is a wonderful escape from the summertime crowds. It meanders through lush…
Trail of the WeekUpper Cedar Lake
High up in the Cabinet Mountains, the loop hike around Upper Cedar Lake is a great multi-day adventure. Be sure to take your time, because this 22-mile trek is…
Trail of the WeekMedicine Point Lookout
If great views are what you’re after, the trail to Medicine Point Lookout in the Bitterroots won’t disappoint! It’s a steep climb to the ridge through both…
Trail of the WeekDavid Creek
If you’re looking for a new backpacking adventure, the David Creek Trail in the East Pioneer Mountains is well worth a visit. The real attraction is the…
Trail of the WeekMusselshell Breaks
Near Winnett, a short hike in the Musselshell Breaks Wilderness Study Area is a great way to get a taste of this wonderland of rugged river breaks and wild…
Trail of the WeekWilderness Stories: The Great Bear – Smoke Elser
What do a fishing trip and a bulldozer have to do with designated Wilderness? Join MWA’s Shining Mountains Chapter for a story told by Smoke Elser, an iconic…
Trail of the WeekLouise Lake
Hiking to Louise Lake, in the heart of the Tobacco Root Mountains, is the perfect adventure to add to your summer to-do list. The road to the trailhead is…
Trail of the WeekWhitaker Bridge Rail Trail
East of Missoula, the Whitaker Bridge Rail Trail is an easy stroll along the Blackfoot River. The well-packed gravel trail follows an old railroad grade…
Trail of the WeekPilgrim Creek
Get away from the hot summer sun by enjoying a shady hike along Pilgrim Creek in the Little Belt Mountains. After leaving the trailhead, you’ll walk through an…
Trail of the WeekDeadman Lake
Wayyy down in southwestern Montana, the Deadman Lake trail is a scenic gem with a wonderful view of the Italian Peaks. The trail actually starts from Deadman…
Trail of the WeekThoma Lookout
As one of the easiest and most spectacular hikes in the Whitefish Range, the trip to Thoma Lookout is a can’t-miss summer adventure. You’ll start off by hiking…
Trail of the WeekLost River
Tucked up against the Canadian border northwest of Havre, Lost River Wildlife Management Area is a remote and scenic hike where you’ll see more wildlife than…
Trail of the WeekCrystal Lake
A short hike to the shores of Crystal Lake, on the Idaho border west of St. Regis, is a great half-day adventure. While it’s not long, the trail does climb…
Trail of the WeekJones Gulch
On the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Jones Gulch is an easy hike that provides great views into Montana’s premier wilderness area. Leaving the…
Trail of the WeekBaldy Mountain Trail
North of Plains, the hike up Baldy Mountain offers great views into the Cabinet Mountains and the southern end of the Flathead Valley. The trail that leads to…
Trail of the WeekSand Arroyo
There are no official trails through Sand Arroyo, to the east of Fort Peck Lake, but that just makes it more fun to explore! The badlands hide all sorts of dry…
Trail of the WeekHanging Valley
East of Helena, the Hanging Valley Trail leads to one of the most spectacular views in central Montana. Starting from the Vigilante Campground, the trail…
Trail of the WeekOur Lake
If you’re looking for sparkling alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and lots of wildlife, you can’t beat the hike to Our Lake, on the Rocky Mountain Front west…
Trail of the WeekNorthwest Peak
If you really want to get off the beaten path, try a trip to Northwest Peak. Tucked wayyy up in northwest Montana, it’s a tough place to get to, but that just…
Trail of the WeekBoulder Creek
The Boulder Creek Trail, at the far southern end of the Bitterroot Valley, is a great adventure to an impressive waterfall! The trail climbs gently through…
Trail of the WeekBuck Creek
Southwest of Broadus, Buck Creek is a wild and scenic area in the remote Powder River Valley. There are no trails here, but the exploring is top-notch. Take…
Trail of the WeekRogers Pass
Following the Continental Divide Trail south from Rogers Pass is a great way to experience the rugged spine of the continent. This section of the CDT begins by…
Trail of the WeekHeadquarters Pass
On the Rocky Mountain Front west of Choteau, the trail to Headquarters Pass is a classic wilderness adventure. It’s not a long hike, but the scenery is…
Trail of the WeekSkeebogan Trail
South of Butte, the Skeeboggan Trail is a perfect family adventure in all seasons. Following the trickling creek, the trail passes short but captivating rock…
Trail of the WeekSunset Loop
North of Ekalaka, the Sunset Loop Trail in Medicine Rocks State Park is a wonderful place to experience eastern Montana. This short trail winds through a…
Trail of the WeekPine Creek Lake
Pine Creek Lake might be one of the most popular destinations in the Paradise Valley, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit. The trail starts off by…
Trail of the WeekCow Island
The hike to Cow Island, in the heart of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, is a historical and scenic treasure. Starting off on high bluffs…
Trail of the WeekMann Gulch
The hike to Mann Gulch, near the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness outside Helena, provides big views and lots of history. The trail starts from a historic…
Trail of the WeekBlacktail MountainXC
Don’t let the cold weather trap you indoors this winter. Instead, visit the cross-country ski trails of Blacktail Mountain. Located high above Flathead Lake…
Trail of the WeekHellroaring Creek
In the southwestern corner of Montana, nestled against the Idaho border, Hell Roaring Creek is a lovely and seldom-travelled section of the Continental Divide…
Trail of the WeekKing Mountain HRA
If you’re tired of following others’ footsteps, head to the King Mountain Hiking and Riding Area south of Ashland. There are no established trails here, so you…
Trail of the WeekWelcome Creek
Hidden away between Missoula and Phillipsburg, the Welcome Creek Trail is an easy hike to the tumbledown remains of an old cabin. Right after leaving the…