Bob Marshall Wilderness – Trail Suggestions?

[Scot Reed]

Hi All –

My friends and I are heading to the Bob Marshall wilderness the first week of August. From what I've read, it looks like we're in for a spectacular trip. We're going through the trail guides and trying to put together a detailed route (there sure are a lot to choose from). We'll be on the trail for 6 days, and we're looking for an approximately 50+ mile loop. I'd be grateful if anyone could share their experiences or suggestions. Thanks!

[Richard Lyon]

Scot,

You're correct, there are endless possibilities. I especially like the Necklace Lake region, accessible from Lower Holland Lake. Be sure to study Erik Molvar's guide book (from Falcon Press), as its descriptions are extremely accurate. I'll look at my notes and map tonight and see if I can be a bit more specific.

Richard

[David Chenault]

So many choices! The Bob is big (duh) and surprisingly heterogenous in its terrain. Where you go ought to be determined by your preferences (high mountains, lakes, river valleys, forests) as well as where you'll be driving in from.

Richard's suggestion of doing a loop out of Holland Lake is a good one. Upper Holland Lake, Necklace Lakes, and Pendant Lake are lovely alpine ponds with great camping and views. You could do a loop down to the S Fork of the Flathead, down Burnt Creek and up Big Salmon Creek for instance, and see a good variety of terrain.

Another lovely loop, that I did last fall, starts at Monture Creek (in the southern Bob). Up over Falls Creek and Camp Pass, then down Canyon Creek to the Dry Fork of the Blackfoot. Up over the gentlest pass you'll ever find into the upper Danaher, then over Limestone Pass and down into Monture Creek and back to the TH. Spectacular hiking, and you get to spend a bit of time in valley, forest, and alpine in quick succesion. Great campsites throughout. Might be a bit shorter than 50 miles.

Of course, the Chinese Wall, Larch Hill, and My lake are justifiably famous. You can see our photos from that stretch (with lots of snow and no people!) in Le Parcour race report on this site. Doing a West Fork Sun River, Chinese Wall, Rock Creek loop from Gibson Reservoir would be nice. I'd also like to see that area by hiking up the Flathead to White River and White River Pass, then returning via Spotted bear.

You can't go wrong.

[Chris Roane]

I've only done one trail in the bob marshall so far, and the lake we went to was absolutely amazing!

I highly suggest going to Koessler Lake. You can see my detailed trip report here: http://chrisroane.blogspot.com/2009/08/bob-marshall-koessler-lake.html

I did this trip last year and it was the best backpacking trip I've done. Where ever you go on the bob marshall, be prepared for rain (especially on the west side).

We're doing a trip to the bob this June to Sunburst lake, which looks great.

[Richard Lyon]

Chris, I led a service trip to Doctor/Koessler Lakes last August, and another to Sunburst Lake in September 2008. Both are marvelous spots, and very lightly traveled. There may be pictures on Wilderness Volunteers' website.

Scot, The Bear Creek Trailhead, just off US 2 across from Glacier NP, provides many wonderful loop opportunities, most with access to unspoiled sections of the Middle Fork of the Flathead. The Birch Creek Trail, in the Rocky Mountain Front, has numerous options too, and the least visited of the Front trails.

Keep us posted!

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