granite7 - Sep 6, 2019 6:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2019
Three Eagles Mtn.
Much of the trail info is outdated and needs to be corrected. I went to this area to climb up Three Eagles Mountain via Wheeler Creek. The trail from the parking area which requires a stout vehicle preferably with all-wheel or 4wd is poorly maintained. The overgrowth for the first 2.7 miles of trail is 5 feet high and most of the time you can't see your own feet for all the brush. It easy to get off trail and end up at the wrong elevation. Lots of bear scat in this area too. Not recommended for children as they will be overwhelmed by the enormous amount of biting bugs, stinging nettles and tics. After reaching Trail # 7, the trail is better but still very overgrown with steep a drop-off to the west with poor footing. This trail is in need of repair and heavy maintenance if a viable attempt is to be made by the average hiker. For the determined it is a challenging bushwhack for many miles. We finally made it to Wildcat Lakes and then broke away from the so called trail and began route finding and scrambling up a steep gully to the north to reach a pass that overlooks Pilgrim Lakes. We then descended backdown steep terrain of rocks, small trees, and cliffy areas to reach upper Pilgrim Lake. From there it is short hike around the lake to reach another gully line that leads to another pass just west of Three Eagles Mtn. Gain the ridge and scramble another 1/2 hour or so to the summit. This entire trip out will take in the neighborhood of 10-12 hours round trip. Again this is not an easy hike as Flathead Native infers. It will take some effort to just reach the lakes before any scrambling begins. I would not consider this a climb per se or mountaineering of any kind. It is simply a grunt and a peak bagging at best. No gear or technical ability is required or involved. All you need is a stubborn determination and good weather to top out.
granite7 - Sep 6, 2019 6:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2019
Three Eagles Mtn.Much of the trail info is outdated and needs to be corrected. I went to this area to climb up Three Eagles Mountain via Wheeler Creek. The trail from the parking area which requires a stout vehicle preferably with all-wheel or 4wd is poorly maintained. The overgrowth for the first 2.7 miles of trail is 5 feet high and most of the time you can't see your own feet for all the brush. It easy to get off trail and end up at the wrong elevation. Lots of bear scat in this area too. Not recommended for children as they will be overwhelmed by the enormous amount of biting bugs, stinging nettles and tics. After reaching Trail # 7, the trail is better but still very overgrown with steep a drop-off to the west with poor footing. This trail is in need of repair and heavy maintenance if a viable attempt is to be made by the average hiker. For the determined it is a challenging bushwhack for many miles. We finally made it to Wildcat Lakes and then broke away from the so called trail and began route finding and scrambling up a steep gully to the north to reach a pass that overlooks Pilgrim Lakes. We then descended backdown steep terrain of rocks, small trees, and cliffy areas to reach upper Pilgrim Lake. From there it is short hike around the lake to reach another gully line that leads to another pass just west of Three Eagles Mtn. Gain the ridge and scramble another 1/2 hour or so to the summit. This entire trip out will take in the neighborhood of 10-12 hours round trip. Again this is not an easy hike as Flathead Native infers. It will take some effort to just reach the lakes before any scrambling begins. I would not consider this a climb per se or mountaineering of any kind. It is simply a grunt and a peak bagging at best. No gear or technical ability is required or involved. All you need is a stubborn determination and good weather to top out.
jweber42 - Aug 12, 2015 3:39 pm
Just a coupleMt. Aeneas and Strawberry lake trails.