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...

Edited by Gabe on 08/14/2010 17:31:04 MDT.

Very nice. Definitely looks like some beautiful country.

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

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

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.

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

Great sunset pics, by the way...

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.

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