This hike to St. Paul Lake will probably be blazoned ceaselessly in my reminiscence as a result of it was the primary hike I ever did in Montana. I used to be out west this previous summer time visiting some mountain climbing associates. They have been wanting to share their favourite hikes with me and determined this average hike to a distant alpine lake can be a becoming introduction. It was.
St Paul Lake is situated within the Cupboard Vary of Western Montana, near the Idaho-Montana border, about 2 hours southeast of Spokane, Washington. This area has its share of 8000′ peaks and glacial cirques, with over 20 alpine lakes teeming with cutthroat trout. The hearth hazard is all the time very excessive in summer time, and the world has a grizzly bear inhabitants, which I discovered somewhat intimidating, however my associates took it in stride since they’ve been mountain climbing on the market for years. I’ve by no means needed to carry bear spray earlier than, and it was a sobering wake-up name to get handed a bear spray canister and learn to use it shortly in an emergency.
For the ten days I visited, we deliberate most of our hikes utilizing a guidebook titled “Trails of the Wild Cupboards” by Dennis Nicholls and Jim Mellen, the native mountain climbing bible. The Benchmark Maps Montana Street Atlas was additionally an indispensable information for navigating the Forest Service roads that present entry to the encircling cities and Wilderness Areas.
The St Paul Lake Path (#646) is about 6 miles up a gravel highway from the freeway and was near the compound the place we have been tenting. The hike to the lake is 4 miles a technique with 1600 ft of elevation achieve by way of an old-growth forest of hemlock and large cedars.
After we have been chased from the car parking zone by agitated bald-faced hornets (nasty bugs), we began mountain climbing uphill on switchbacks overlooking the East Fork of the Bull River. I’d introduced Tenkara Fly Fishing gear on this journey, however the water stage on the streams was too low to fish efficiently. In hindsight, I ought to have introduced a rod and sort out to fish within the alpine lakes we visited, however I don’t personal any flatwater fishing gear and must purchase some earlier than my subsequent go to.
As we climbed, we handed the Cupboard Wilderness Boundary, and I mirrored on how a lot I admire the Nationwide Forests and Wilderness Areas in the US. I stay in a Nationwide Forest again dwelling and felt a direct connection to the panorama once we handed the Cupboard Wilderness signal early in our hike. Residing amidst huge timber and mountains and having quick access to nice mountain climbing, fishing, and snowboarding has enriched my life and well being throughout the previous six years I’ve lived of their proximity, and I by no means wish to stay removed from a Nationwide Forest once more. They’re greater than a refuge for nature.
Certainly one of my associates is a mountain climbing path builder and an equestrian, so I used to be handled to a proof of what it takes to construct a path hardened for horses since mixed-use is far more prevalent in Montana. Along with leisure use, path maintainers used horses and mules to haul heavy instruments to extra distant areas and better elevations on a few of our hikes.
As we approached the lake, the vegetation thickened significantly, and I grew to become somewhat nervous a few potential bear encounter. We have been all speaking and making loads of noise, however this being my first time in brown bear habitat, I used to be understandably nervous. I relaxed extra on our later hikes.
When the lake got here into view, I used to be amazed by the view of St Paul Mountain overhead. It regarded just like the Matterhorn! The encompassing mountains and ridges have been gigantic and prolonged so far as the attention may see, whereas the lake was picture-perfect, nestled in a cirque on the foot of the height. All of us scrambled down the steep financial institution to have lunch and marvel on the view. The water was low however clear, and a waterfall thundered on the alternative financial institution. And that was my introduction to mountain climbing in Western Montana, a spot I plan to return to once more.
