Glacier Mountaineering Society

Sun, Jul 6 2025 - Hanging Valley (Cabinet Mt Wilderness) (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Cindy Weaver, Dabney Langellier
Participants:		Cindy Weaver, Denise White, Brian Sugden, Mike Petrangelo, Jean Petrangelo, Dabney Langellier, Kevin Thomas

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Write Up:
Co-coordinators: Dabney Langellier, Cindy Weaver Participants: Denise White, Brian Sugden, Jean Petrangelo, Mike Petrangelo, Kevin Thomas Great day for hiking in the Cabinet Mountains. We carpooled to the trailhead and even got an early start leaving the trailhead at 8:40am. Coordinator Cindy was recovering from a broken wrist so brought up the rear at a bit slower pace with a one pole handicap. We reached the junction of the Flower Creek Trail with the Hanging Valley trail at about 3 miles. Crossing the creek resulted in wet feet for most and a small bushwhack to find the Hanging Valley trail. Once we located the trail we were able to follow it no problem all the way to the lakes. However, it was very overgrown in sections. In addition, the mosquitos increased the closer we got to the lakes and became relentless, but we didn’t let that slow us down. Even though this is an official USFS numbered trail, it seems it was originally a user trail leading to the Hanging Valley Lakes as it is very steep and rocky gaining most of the 3,126 feet of elevation in the last two miles. About halfway up the Hanging Valley trail, Cindy and Brian elected to stick together with the final destination target of the Lower Lake. The rest of the group were a much faster pace and decided to shoot for Treasure Mountain. Denise decided the upper lake would be her final destination and the final four continued to the saddle and ridge aiming for Treasure Mountain. Both lakes provided a nice view, since we had remained below tree line for the majority of the hike. Then the ascent up to the ridge just north of Treasure Mountain provided a spectacular view. With the use of Garmin Messinger and even cell service, both groups kept in contact with each other. About 2:30p, the Treasure Mtn crew were still 300+ feet from the summit and decided it was best to turn around and start heading back due to the late hour. Cindy and Brian had started back down as had Denise. Call this group #1--all met up about a mile from the Trailhead exiting the hike a bit before 6:00pm. We had tailgate party #1. The Treasure Mtn group busted it back and came out about 7:00pm for tailgate party #2 and stories of their great adventure. Stats: Lower Hanging Valley: 9.59 miles RT, 3,126ft ascent Treasure Mtn group: 13.5 miles RT, 4,500 ft ascent

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.