Trail Well Traveled – 10/7

Welcome to the Trail Well Traveled!

Each Friday, in partnership with Montana Wilderness Association we will feature a new western Montana trail and then give one lucky listener some cool goodies to help them embark on their journey!

Baker Lake, Trail #234

An easy family-friendly day hike that culminates at a beautiful alpine lake in the shadow of Trapper Peak!

Roundtrip: 2.4 miles

Directions: From Missoula, head south on Hwy 93 and turn right onto Hwy 473 (West Fork Road) about four miles past Darby. Follows the road alongside the west fork of the Bitterroot River, passing Trapper Creek Job Corp on the right, and then turn right onto Hwy 363 after seven miles. Turn right again onto 5634 and follow it nine miles to the Baker Lake trailhead.

What to expect: The initial portion of the hike can be steep in places until passing Baker Point, but the steep portions do not last long and several switchbacks make the climb very reasonable and achievable for the entire family.

Baker Point is comprised of interesting rock formations and a fabulous panorama of the Anaconda Range and the Sapphires, making it well worth stopping to look around before proceeding up the trail.

Baker Lake is an easy distance of just 1.2 miles and the setting among the boulders and rocks is marked by spectacular Trapper Peak.  Simply returning down the trail makes the trip a total of 2.4 miles, but it is difficult not to spend some time enjoying the lake environment.

Tip: Those who want a bit more hiking can follow Baker Creek another short mile up to Middle Lake and Gem Lake.  The Baker Lake Trail is also an alternative route up Trapper Peak itself.

Learn more about this trail, file your own trip report and photos, or check out some other great hikes at hikewildmontana.org. And don’t forget to tune in to the Trail 103.3 each Friday at 9:50 am for the next featured trail and your chance to win!

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