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Location: 40 miles southwest of Bozeman. Type of hike: Extended loop backpacking trip. Total distance: 23 miles. Difficulty: Strenuous. Best months: Mid-July through September.
Finding the trailhead: From Bozeman, drive 7.5 miles south on U.S. Highway 191. Just before entering the Gallatin Canyon, take a right (west) up Spanish Creek at a marked turnoff. After 5.2 miles, turn left (south) up the South Fork of Spanish Creek. Drive about 4 miles until you reach the trailhead. Parking & trailhead facilities: Pit toilet, campground, picnic area, and parking lot. Key points 3.0 Junction with Falls Creek Trail (410), stay left on South Fork of Spanish Creek Trail (407)The hike: The area around the Spanish Peaks is very popular with hikers. Although this hike traverses the fringe of the wilderness, it doesn't venture into the most heavily used portions. It does, however, provide the same incredible scenery that has made the Spanish Peaks Wilderness nationally famous. This is a 23-mile loop hike going up the South Fork of Spanish Creek and coming back to the same trailhead through the headwaters of Camp and Cuff Creeks, using Trails 407, 401, and 409 in a clockwise direction. Plan on at least three days to fully enjoy the scenery. From the trailhead, begin hiking on South Fork of Spanish Creek Trail (407), which is well maintained (thanks to local backcountry horsemen). All of the creek crossings have bridges. After 5.5 miles, South Fork of Spanish Creek Trail junctions with the trail to Mirror Lake. Stay right on Trail 401 for Upper Falls Creek Lake and shortly after, pass another junction with Trail 411 to Spanish Lakes. Again stay right, heading southwest and uphill on Trail 401. After 8.5 miles, Trail 401 junctions with Trail
412, which heads southeast to Lake Solitude. Lake Solitude is a good side
trip, with many campsites, great views, and lots of fish. Stay right on
Trail 401 for Jerome Rock Lakes.
All three of Jerome Rock Lakes support smart populations of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The lower and middle lakes have adequate campsites, but camping is marginal at the upper lake. You can find the middle lakes by following the stream. Remember to disperse fire rings at high alpine lakes and avoid campfires in heavily used areas. Wildflowers are prevalent in this area, especially glacier lilies, yellow columbine, and many others. Continue northwest on Trail 401 and cross a 9,200-foot pass before Brother and Sister Lakes Basin. In June and early July, there can be some potentially dangerous snowbanks on both sides of the pass. Hike on snowfields in the afternoon, when soft snow allows for good footholds. After descending from the pass, look for two cairns that mark the junction with Trail 409 and the continuation of Trail 401 to Cherry Lake. Turn right, heading northeast on Trail 409, descending to Big Brother Lake. Keep your map out, because this junction is easy to miss. The trail from Big Brother Lake is a pleasant walk in the woods for 8 miles. You pass through several open meadows with views. Upon reaching the junction with another Trail 401 (unconnected to the 401 you previously hiked on), turn right, heading east through a logged area and open meadows, and finally looping around Ted Turner's Flying D Ranch. Stay on the trail and avoid trespassing. -Originally contributed by Art Foran 
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contents © , Travel Montana. All rights reserved. |
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Highlights:
Many high alpine views, lakes, and fishing opportunities.
