Description

A great little loop just outside Missoula, this is perfect for an after or pre-work hit.

The trail has a designated parking lot and it's easily reached from Missoula city centre, making this is an easy-to-reach trail as well as an easy one.

The trail can be done in either direction, and there's no obvious factor making the loop better one way than the other.

Start out out from the trailhead and follow the clear path into peaceful forests.

Cross over a jeep track and continue climbing up to where the path splits.

Take either direction and keep on trucking up.

If you chose to go right at the junction then you'll leave the thicker forest pretty soon after the junction, and the views of Missoula will begin to reveal themselves.

If, on the other hand, you went left then you'll pass through sparse forests which enjoy great views of the gorgeous properties just to the east of the trail.

Lying so close to Missoula and yet in such a spacious and bucolic location, these properties are - sadly - out of most of our price ranges, but it's nice to dream. Both the left and right trails meet up on a barren, grassy plateau just to the south-east of the viewpoint.

Wander easily over to it and admire the huge vista across Missoula, up towards the airport and, beyond that, Lolo National Forest.

When you're done taking in the scenery, descend whichever path you didn't climb up and then head easily back to the parking lot.