| The third time is usually a charm. So this third attempt | | | | turn back. The additional 1 1/2 miles down into a |
| to reach that jewel at the end of the trail just had to | | | | canyon and back on top of a 3.5 mile hike back, would |
| pan out. The Sweeney Peak Trail in the Montana | | | | have pushed it. |
| Bitterroot Range heads for the sky high above | | | | This wonderful day a year later though, the plan to |
| Florence, Montana along the ridges below Sweeney | | | | make it was in full gear, the day was younger, and I |
| Peak The lake - that sparkling blue jewel of Peterson | | | | was up for the distance. The trail take around a 750 |
| Lake at the bottom of the canyon in the upper | | | | foot descent from that viewpoint to thelake. And |
| reaches of Sweeney Creek - had been an unattained | | | | descend you do, down into a high mountain valley. |
| goal through two previous attempts. I started with a | | | | What a wonderful high alpine mountain scene |
| fresh determination though, to reach that sparkling | | | | surrounds you as you cross grassy meadows to the |
| jewel this bright, sunny, August day, and return. | | | | upper end of the lake. A spurtrail leads from the main |
| The trailhead is at the upper end of a major vehicle | | | | trail to the inlet of the lake near primitive campsites |
| climb from Montana Highway 93 and the Bitterroot | | | | stashed among the trees. |
| valley floor. Sweeney Creek Road is located south of | | | | The third time was the charm! My trek to Peterson |
| Missoula, Montana, and 1.5 miles south of Florence. | | | | Lake in this high mountain basin of the Bitterroot Range |
| Turning off 93 to the west you follow the paved | | | | was complete. What a truly wonderful little high |
| Sweeney Creek Road .9 miles at which point it veers | | | | country lake surrounded by high mountain peaks right |
| off to the south, and you proceed straight ahead on | | | | up next to the sky. I settled in for a long overdue lunch |
| the dirt road, following FR 1315 all of 6.4 miles up the | | | | on the lake shore by the upper inlet of the lake, |
| mountainside to the trailhead. The road through the | | | | reveling in the mountain basin scene. You have the |
| switchbacks is steep, pushing the abilities of 2-wheel | | | | impression that the canyon does just drop off below |
| drive cars. | | | | the lake, as it sits in a small mountain bowl. A great set |
| On the trail the climbing continues, starting with a 1000 | | | | of images of this Montana Bitterroot Range treasure |
| foot elevation climb in the first mile. You add almost | | | | can be seen in the photo Gallery at . |
| another 1000 feet elevation in the next 1 1/2 miles to | | | | The afternoon was quickly slipping away, and it was |
| 7,692 feet. If it was only numbers this old guy would | | | | necessary to hit the trail back out. There was still a |
| have quit long ago. However, within the first mile after | | | | 750 foot climb up out of this wonderful basin, and 5 |
| switchbacks through forested ridge the trail breaks out | | | | miles or so to beat down the trail back to the jeep. |
| on the ridge's south edge, with abrupt cliffs below and | | | | Now we know the delight to be found at the end of |
| views over the Sweeney Creek Canyon. The | | | | that trail. Plans were already forming in my mind for |
| Bitterroot Valley opens up far below to the east, St. | | | | doing that route again, only next time with full pack, |
| Joseph Peak towers to the southwest, and Little St. | | | | tent, sleeping bag, fishing pole and the works. Truly the |
| Joe dominates the scene directly across the canyon | | | | next goal to sit in that high mountain basin as the sun |
| from your perch atop the cliffs. | | | | sets, the sky filling with a million stars - treasuring this |
| The trail follows the ridge upward, and then cuts | | | | jewel of a mountain lake. |
| across the mountainside, still climbing as you follow | | | | The evening was closing in as I made it back down |
| above the Sweeney Creek Canyon. Two and a half | | | | the trail to the jeep. The sheer fatigue from the effort |
| miles into the trek after continual upward climbing, the | | | | was almost overwhelming for this 50 something body, |
| high spot on the trail is reached. As if by divine plan, | | | | but, the sense of jubilation at the awesome feat was |
| right there is a little spring and stream trickling across | | | | incredible. I had stumbled onto a true Montana mountain |
| the trail in the most wonderfully cool refreshing way | | | | jewel on this wonderful adventure in the high Bitterroot |
| From that great mountain water fountain the trail leads | | | | Range of Montana. |
| off fairly evenly for another mile or so through the | | | | That jubilation was promptly followed by the urge to |
| forest. To my complete delight the trail once again | | | | dive into some good food. For most journeys into the |
| leads back to the canyon cliffs above Sweeney | | | | backcountry of Montana there are wonderful places |
| Creek. The goal of Peterson Lake is now within sight. | | | | nearby to chow down. In this area we'll head for the |
| Oh indeed, there it was shining like a sparkling jewel, | | | | Cantina La Cocina in Victor - dynamite tacos, |
| right DOWN there another mile and a half to the | | | | enchiladas and burritos. And the terrific places to stay, |
| bottom of the canyon! | | | | like full service base-camp motels throughout the |
| A previous journey up this trail had made it to this point. | | | | Bitterroot Valley - found at - within just miles of |
| Already around 3.5 miles into the hike, and realizing that | | | | Bitterroot Range trailheads . Check them out and plan |
| the trail takes a sharp downward turn, I had chosen to | | | | your Bitterroot Range adventure! |