Glacier Mountaineering Society

Sat, Aug 20 2016 - Middle Mountain Loop (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Cecelia Notess, Greg Notess
Participants:		Cecelia Notess, Greg Notess, Susie Lindsay, Mark Pearson, Britt Lindsay, Robin Young, Jaye Sedlack, Lisa Prugh

Write Up:
After an adventurous drive up the very rough last two miles of Forest Service road, we got off to a pleasant start on the Louise Lake National Recreation Trail. After 3.5 miles, we arrived at the lake and followed the fishing trail along the west side of the lake. From the head, we scrambled up the to the saddle to the east of Middle Mountain, and then ascended the ridge to the summit, traversing to the left (south) to bypass the two false summits. The summit is aptly named, being roughly in the center of the Tobacco Roots and offering views of other 10,000 foot peaks all around us. We also had great views of the Spanish Peaks, Ruby Mountains, and the Elkhorns. Descending from the summit to the north, we had a mile ridge walk and scramble through krummholz and small cliffs. Once we hit the open spot on the ridge above Lost Cabin Lake, we scrambled down, mostly following a game trail. After an easy crossing of the outlet, we got onto the Lost Cabin Lake National Recreation Trail to head back out 4.5 miles to our starting point. A great loop in the middle of the Tobacco Root Mountains.
10.2 miles, 3,000+’ gain, 9 hours

Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Tim Anderson at twamontana@gmail.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.