Grouse Lakes Trail 219

Wise River Montana

Listing Type: National Forest Trail
City: Wise River Montana
Region: Southwest Montana
406-832-3178
http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d/

There is a stock unloading ramp 0.8 mile down the Pattengail Road past Grouse Creek at Pattengail Creek trailhead. The access road to the start of the Grouse Lakes Trail is not obvious as it appears as a two track road. A sign points the way but it occasionally gets vandalized. Trail is maintained yearly.

The trail starts to climb steeply for the first .5 mile. Many wildflowers such as Sego lily, shooting star, lupine, and others grow on this drier hillside early in the season. Near the top of the slope panoramic views of Pattengail Creek and the Wise River Valley below can be seen. After the first .5 mile the trail levels out somewhat and heads back towards Grouse Creek, then follows the stream closely for the next three miles. The vegetation is lush near the creek and spruce becomes common. The trail climbs sharply again about 3.25 miles in and switch-backs slightly and is rocky. About 0.5 miles later it levels out as it comes in Lower Grouse Lake, a granite basin lake. Here the forest is largely made up of whitebark pine and sub-alpine fir.

Length: 4 miles. Light use, high difficulty

Trail Begins: Road 186.Trail Ends: Grouse Lakes

Area Map: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Visitors Map .USGS Map1: Stine Mountain.Township 2S; Range 12W; Section 10

Directions: The trailhead may be difficult to find. Short access road on south side of Grouse Creek. Take left hand fork. There is a small sign on a tree that shows trail. Travel 9 miles south of Wise River on Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, then 1.5 miles west on Road 186 to Grouse Creek.

Grouse Lakes Trail 219
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Wise River, MT 59762

Activities
Hiking
Lake Fishing
Services
Trail

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