DatesJul 5th - Jul 11th 2009 Service ProjectTrail re-route Free DaysExplore the wilderness, hike peaks, cold lake swimming AccommodationsBackpack camping Trip RatingStrenuous : 5 mile backpack. High altitude, digging, rockwork, sawing. Pack animal supported. LeadersTom Laabs-Johnson Equipment |
The Mission Mountains Wilderness is west of Big Bear Bob Marshall Wilderness Areas, east of Flathead Lake, and about an hour and a half south of Glacier National Park. A wide variety of wildlife, including grizzly and black bear, elusive mountain lion, mountain sheep and goat, moose, elk, deer, eagles and other raptors can be seen. Area streams, rivers, and lakes hold trout and pike. There are 225 lakes and elevations can vary from 4,500 to 9,300 feet. The slopes and valleys are heavily forested, rocky, and lush with undergrowth. The hike into the base camp is about 5 miles with about a 1000 foot increase in elevation before we top out and then drop down into the valley where we'll be working. Our campsite will be by a lake - cold enough for Cutthroat trout but warm enough for an afternoon swim. The main project for this year will be working with a Forest Service crew re-routing the trail we helped plot last year. We'll be using traditional tools, i.e. two man cross cut saws, axes, shovels, Pulakis, picks, and such; no power tools due to wilderness designation. We may also be doing some trail stabilization with clearing, building, and replacing water bars, and brushing and cutting out deadfalls. The Forest Service will provide packstock for the food and tools. On our day off, we'll explore the wilderness, swim in a lake, climb a peak or just relax and soak up the solitude.
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