Glenwood Lake - the Back Way

[JimmyW]

The Elkhorn Mountains Southeast of Helena have long been my stomping grounds. They offer a wealth of outdoor opportunities that include hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and photography . The highest point is Crow Peak at 9,414', above the town of Elkhorn, an old mining camp rich in history. There are several high country lakes, which are small jewels and also provide some fishing opportunities. A few are in the Tizer Basin, known best for the Tizer Lakes. Glenwood Lake and Hidden lake are about a mile each from the Tizers. The drive to the Tizers is up a fairly rough, rocky, Jeep road for about 8 miles. Today, I made an approach from the other side, to the Glenwood Lake trail. The trailhead starts at about 8,500', climbs to 8,900', and descends to the lake at 8,200. I hiked out only about 1.5 miles, just to get the views from the ridge. It's a worse Jeep road to the trailhead, tasking about an hour to go 6 miles, and only 4 are "bad" road. I've been to Glenwood and Hidden Lakes from the other side. About a mile past the trailhead is the old Elkhorn Skyline Mine, from which you can climb up the scree to Crow Peak.

The road up to the Glenwood Lake trail (from the way back). It's a little worse than it looks.



This is along the ridge line climbing up the top to descend the other side to the lake. It's looking south, and I think that the Tobacco Roots are on the right. It was a little hazy. I was walking on snow most of the way.


This view is north, and the peak just right of center (with a little snow on it) is Elkhorn Peak, at about 9,385'. It can be accessed by a tougher Jeep trail from the town of Elkhorn. Once at the top, it's a moderate bushwhack to Crow Peak. Navigation can be a little tricky.


This shot looks north toward Helena.


Looking down at the town of Elkhorn. There's still a bit of gold mining underway and planned. The town is 12 miles up a decent gravel road from the highway between Boulder and Cardwell.


This is looking up toward Elkhorn. Elkhorn Peak is on the left, and my first car is on the corner.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Very cool. Really nice place to live so close to. Can't believe there are actually towns that small. There are probably more people just on my floor, let alone my building, at work.

 

[John Goering]

What year JK? While I really like the off-road capability of our 2012, it has all of 32k miles on it and has been back to the dealer with warranty issues almost 20 times. We are not sure we are going to keep it but there just isn't a lot of alternatives for that type of vehicle unless you want to build your own (and I'm thinking about it-a Willys wagon is about the same size as a JK Unlimited).

Very cool. Really nice place to live so close to. Can't believe there are actually towns that small. There are probably more people just on my floor, let alone my building, at work.

But you have to remember there are only slightly more than a million people in this state and almost a 150,000 square miles. Take away the biggest 5 or 6 metro areas and there is just one big bunch of open space. Perhaps not like Alaska, but very similar to Wyoming.

 

[JimmyW]

What year JK? While I really like the off-road capability of our 2012, it has all of 32k miles on it and has been back to the dealer with warranty issues almost 20 times. We are not sure we are going to keep it but there just isn't a lot of alternatives for that type of vehicle unless you want to build your own (and I'm thinking about it-a Willys wagon is about the same size as a JK Unlimited). QUOTE]

It's a 2015 JKU Hard Rock. I have about 3,500 miles on it and have had no significant problems, just a few bugs under the warranty. My only gripe is that Lithia doesn't have enough help and it takes a week to get in. Regardless, I love the thing so far. I think it'll go anywhere. If you want to look at a new one, I can hook you up with my salesman and tell you how I got a great price. I traded a 2011 Power Wagon, which was a monster! I had bought it new from Lithia, too. I've spent quite a few bucks on my Jeep, going for a lift, tires, winch, etc.

If you haven't been there, ask your buddy in Clancy to take you guys up to the Tizers. You can take short day hikes from there to the other lakes and there are fish in them.