Bagging a cross?Sundance Move is likely one of the many particular locations within the Beartooth Vary of southcentral Montana. The scenic cross (elevation 10,991 ft.) will be accessed from the West Fork Trailhead or the Lake Fork Trailhead, each inside 15 miles of Pink Lodge. It may be performed as an out-and-back from both trailhead however many choose to do it as a one or two evening backpacking journey, beginning at one trailhead and ending on the different – a 21 mile stroll with 4,300 toes of elevation acquire that crosses Sundance Move close to the mid-point of the journey.
Rain, rain, go away.Our household gathered for a 5-day keep at a cabin close to Pink Lodge to have a good time my step-son Mark’s fiftieth birthday. The plan was for Mark, my daughter (Amy), and I to begin on the Lake Fork Trailhead on Wednesday (7/16/25), stroll 8 miles to September Morn Lake, spend the evening, hike up and over the cross, ending on the West Fork Trailhead Thursday afternoon. Sadly the weatherman didn’t get the memo. It rained all day Tuesday, and the forecast for Wednesday didn’t look a lot better. Thursday appeared excellent although, so Amy and I made a decision to begin early and do the whole journey that day. Mark opted to hike half approach with us, then drive over to choose us up on the end line later that afternoon.
Epic.We began on the West Fork Trailhead round 7 am and completed on the Lake Fork Trailhead shortly earlier than 5 pm. It was superb! We particularly loved the West Fork aspect the place the range was unimaginable. The path transitioned backwards and forwards between forrested areas and large grassy meadows dotted by wildflowers. The West Fork was our fixed companion exhibiting us raging whitewater, cascades, and occasional broad, light stretches as effectively. The path led us up towards the mountainous headwaters the place we may see the quite a few patches of snow that present runoff for the West Fork. The surroundings bought higher and higher the nearer we bought to the cross. One of the crucial spectacular options of the hike was the handfuls of well-designed switchbacks that ascend the west aspect of the cross – three miles value of switchbacks to achieve 1,500 toes of elevation!
All downhill from right here.We spent 40 minutes on the cross, having fun with the views and snacking earlier than beginning down the Lake Fork Path. That aspect was good too, though not fairly as spectacular because the West Fork aspect. We handed proper by September Morn Lake and will see different lakes off within the distance as we made our approach down. Mark and his spouse, together with a few of their youngsters walked three miles up the path to satisfy us. We walked out collectively, then drove into city the place we gathered the entire household for burgers and beers on the Pink Lodge Brewery – An ideal finish to an ideal day! Try the Picture Tour.
FYII discovered of this hike in a ebook referred to as 100 Basic Hikes: Montana by Douglas Lorain. Apart from my weblog (HaHa!), it’s among the best sources round for locating hikes and backpacking journeys throughout Montana.
Under: This map marks hikes which were featured on bigskywalker.com thus far, together with a number of in Glacier Park – Choose full display to broaden, zoom in for extra element, or click on on a marker for a hyperlink to the submit.
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