Rattlesnake National Wilderness Area

[Gabe P]

Several years ago I climbed to the top of Stuart Peak in the Rattlesnake National Wilderness Area, mostly because I was bored and it was close by. I didn’t think I’d find anything worth revisiting.

After hiking throughout the lower eight miles of the Rattlesnake for several years, I was convinced that the area was great for quick hikes but it wasn’t worth backpacking into. I was wrong, which I learned the day I hiked up to Stuart Peak. What I saw up there were two beautiful lakes (i.e., Twin Lakes) and miles of good-sized mountains.

In Late July, I decided to finally head up to Stuart’s Peak again, to see what else was out there. I’m glad I did. It’s beautiful out there.

top half of the map

on the way up to Stuart Peak

Twin Lakes

McKinley Lake

Worden Lake

Unnamed Lake

abundance of rain this year made for some great flowers

Glacier Lake

nice view

Glacier Lake

detour to Glacier Lake

Glacier Lake

up to Sanders Lake

Sanders Lake

Sanders Lake

Sanders Lake

Sanders Lake

Sanders Lake

Sanders Lake

North of Sanders Lake

Sanders Lake

Sanders Lake

Camp

great sunset

kept getting better

and better

like the sky was on fire

Little Lake

Lake Creek

stream coming out of Sheridan Lake

Carter Lake

up to Big Lake

Big Lake

McKinley Lake

McKinley Lake

McKinley Lake again

and now back to the bottom 8 miles

Montana has a lot to offer, even if you aren't willing to drive a few miles to get away from the larger cities…

[Philip Delvoie]

Very nice. Definitely looks like some beautiful country.

[Ken Thompson]

Very nice. Looks like you had it all to yourself too. Thanks for posting.

[Ronald Groth]

thanks for the photos. this is they type of posts I enjoy! the outdoors in its simplicity!

[Gabe P]

thanks Ken… I actually didn't see anyone the whole time, except along the final four miles on the way back to the trail head.

[Chris Jones]

I have to ask… did you see (or hear) any rattlesnakes?

Great sunset pics, by the way…

[David Chenault]

The 'snake is great to have in the backyard. I've to go backpacking, but spend lots of time mountain biking and skiing there. Gabriel's pictures show the ski terrain nicely.

Never seen a snake, much less a rattler there. Last month our riding group did unintentionally tree a black bear cub (and confused mama), and I had a close encounter with a moose and calf climbing Woods Gulch two years ago.

[Tom Clark]

Wow, there were a lot of lakes in your trip report! Thanks for sharing.

[Author]

Posts