Wild Montana Releases Fall Wilderness Walks Schedule

Helena – This year, Wild Montana will offer a fall Wilderness Walks season for the first time as part of the organization's effort to provide year-round educational opportunities. The free group outings combine education with wilderness experiences on public lands. Participants can graze on wild berries, marvel at constellations, summit a peak, and write poetry, all in the name of conservation and community.

"Thanks to our amazing volunteers, we're offering fall Wilderness Walks across the state. Every outing is a great opportunity to make new friends, learn about pressing conservation issues in Montana, and have fun on public lands," says Sonny Mazzullo, Wild Montana's education manager.

The fall season begins with a whortleberry walk in the East Pioneers, a sunset stroll around Lake Elmo, and an adventurous trek up Nasukoin Mountain in the Whitefish Range. In honor of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 23, our volunteer leaders will host four outings, including a birding walk in Giant Springs State Park and a celebration of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.

Wild Montana will offer 26 Wilderness Walks this fall. The complete schedule is available at wildmontana.org/walks. Wilderness Walks are free to join, but registration is required. Wilderness Walks are volunteer-led, often in partnership with supportive businesses and conservation partners. Registration opens for each Walk one month before the event date. September walks are now open for registration.

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Wild Montana is a grassroots conservation organization that unites and mobilizes communities around a shared love of wild places in Montana. Together, we make a positive impact on decisions determining the management of public lands and waters across the state that sustain the well-being of Montana's people, communities, and wildlife.

WILDERNESS WALKS HOSTED BY WILD MONTANA'S WILD DIVIDE CHAPTER

See the CDT

Moderate

Saturday, Sept. 16

6 miles

Near Lincoln

Join us for an out-and-back hike on a section of the Continental Divide Trail to see why it has been dubbed "the king of trails." This moderately paced journey from Rogers Pass north toward Cadotte Pass will feature sweeping ridgetop views of the Blackfoot Valley, Scapegoat Wilderness, and much of the country that stands to be protected by the Lincoln Prosperity Proposal. With fall in the air, we'll see some changing colors on the forest floor, rocky outcroppings on the high spots, and grassy vistas between.

Heart Lake Loop in the Scapegoat Wilderness

Strenuous

Thursday, Sept. 21

7 to 10 miles

Near Lincoln

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition will lead this hike from just west of the Continental Divide to picturesque Heart Lake. We'll see the foliage turning colors and view the vast expanse of the Scapegoat Wilderness on the gradual climb to the lake. We'll eat lunch at Heart Lake. There may be the option to hike around the lake to complete a 10-mile loop or turn back for a 7-mile out-and-back.

WILDERNESS WALKS HOSTED BY WILD MONTANA'S SHINING MOUNTAINS CHAPTER

Clearwater Lake Stroll

Easy

Thursday, Sept. 7

3 miles

Near Seeley Lake

Clearwater Lake is arguably the most scenic, easy hike in Montana, and it features abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, including loons, eagles, and swans. The Clearwater River begins here and feeds six lakes before joining the Blackfoot River about 25 miles downstream. With killer views of the Swan Range and peekaboo views of the Mission Mountains, this hike is an hour or two of pure Montana joy. We'll update participants on our efforts to pass the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, which will permanently protect 80,000 acres of Wilderness in the watershed.

Sweeney Peak Scramble

Extremely strenuous

Friday, Sept. 8

9 miles

Near Florence

Join us for a scenic mountain scramble in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. We'll hike up the Sweeney Ridge Trail before veering off-trail to the spine of Sweeney Ridge. From the ridge, we'll scramble up Sweeney Peak. From the summit, there are wonderful views of the Bitterroot Mountains and numerous alpine lakes nestled in mountain cirques. If you're comfortable with off-trail travel and like earning your way to sweeping vistas, this is the hike for you.

Equinox Star Party

Easy

Saturday, Sept. 23

0.5 miles

Near Missoula

Celebrate National Public Lands Day, the end of summer, and Montana's dark skies with a star party! We'll walk a short distance from the main trailhead at Blue Mountain Recreation Area before settling in for some constellation spotting. We'll learn eight to 10 constellations and their stories and discover what happens at the equinox. Bring binoculars to locate a few deep-sky objects, including the Andromeda Galaxy. We'll aim to be back at the trailhead shortly before 10 p.m.

Rooster Comb in the Sapphires

Extremely strenuous

Friday, Sept. 29

9 miles

Near Hamilton

Explore a slice of the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area on this hike to the Sapphire Divide. We'll enjoy a pleasant walk to the top of Rooster Comb, situated below Kent Peak, the highest summit in the Sapphires. We'll eat lunch on the Rooster Comb with views of the peak and the Rock Creek drainage to the east. See why Wild Montana works hard to protect the wild character of our state's wilderness study areas.

Bass Creek in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

Strenuous

Friday, Oct. 13

10 miles

Near Florence

Let's explore the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. Our hike will parallel Bass Creek, and our destination will be the cascading waterfall about 5 miles up the trail, far enough into the backcountry that we'll see more birds and wildlife than people. After lunch, we'll retrace our steps because the views are so nice we've got to see them twice!

Discover the Lolo: Four Lakes Loop

Strenuous

Saturday, Oct. 21

8.5 miles

Near Thompson Falls

The U.S. Forest Service recently started revising the Lolo Forest Plan. This plan will guide how the agency manages the Lolo National Forest for 20 to 30 years. Join Public Lands Director Maddy Munson and Field Organizer Mattea Prison in the Cube Iron/Silcox roadless area to experience the Lolo National Forest and learn how to get involved in the forest planning process.

Blodgett Canyon Hike

Strenuous

Monday, Oct. 23

10 miles

Near Hamilton

Blodgett Canyon is a local's favorite for good reason. Join us for a picturesque hike up this geologic wonder complete with jagged peaks and waterfalls. We'll follow Blodgett Creek past the first waterfall and enjoy lunch in the canyon before heading back to the Bitterroot Valley. This hike is a great opportunity to see the area for the first time or take in a familiar favorite in the company of fellow wilderness lovers.

WILDERNESS WALKS HOSTED BY WILD MONTANA'S ISLAND RANGE CHAPTER

Protecting the Badger-Two Medicine

Moderate

Sunday, Sept. 17

5 miles

Near East Glacier Park

Wild Montana will partner with the Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance at their annual Fall Gathering for a hike to the proposed Hall Creek drill site. Hall Creek is the epicenter of the decades-long fight to keep oil and gas out of the Badger-Two Medicine area. Along the way, we'll pass through some stunning country and enjoy outstanding panoramic views of Glacier National Park. Wildlife viewing opportunity abounds.

National Public Lands Day Birding Walk

Easy

Saturday, Sept. 23

2 miles

Near Great Falls

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a chorus of chirps, caws, warbles, whistles, hoots, shrieks, and tweets! Join Beth Hill, from the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Society, for a two-hour birding session at Giant Springs State Park. We'll discover the wonders of fall migrants. Beginning birders are welcome. We're happy to teach you the basics. Bring your binoculars or use ours and be prepared to see a variety of bird species.