Mill Point is a large mountain that divides Mill Creek canyon and the famous Blodgett Creek canyon in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana. This beautiful peak is characterized by the massive cliffs that run along its south face and far up into Blodgett Canyon. Near the top of the peak, Tag Alder Lake appears, a beautiful mountain lake with quite good fishing for rainbow trout. From the summit, one can see all the way to El Capitan and the Como Peaks to the south, into Idaho to the West, up to Saint Marys Peak to the North and much of the Sapphires to the East. An amazing climb to a little known peak in the Bitterroot Mounatins.

Getting There

See "trailheads" section of this page...

Red Tape

In the firestorm of 2000 in this area, both the Blodgett Creek and Mill Creek drainages were rampaged by the Blodgett Creek fire. Hikers should be well-aware of their surroundings and should always be on the lookout for falling trees which cause many injuries and even deaths every year in this area.

Camping

Blodgett Campground is a large and very well-maintained campground right at the trailhead for this hike. It offer restrooms, water, and creek access. There is a very small campsite on the Mill Creek side but it is not recommended and probably not necesary as this hike is at most a long day-hike. One could camp on the side of the mountain somewhere, but again it is not recommended.

Other Peaks and side Trips

Tag Alder lake can be seen from near the summit of Mill Point

Near the beginning of the hike, before climbing to the top side of the cliffs, there is a nice little waterfall that comes off the cliffs near this point. Just look up as you walk along the base of the cliffs and look for the green moss covering the rocks.

As mentioned earlier, Tag Alder Lake is a fairly short hike down for some great fishing in a remote mountain lake with no trails leading to it. The fish are of good size because of the minimal fishing pressure.

Looking west from the summit of Mill Point, another unnamed peak is visible along the Printz Ridge. Although a definite route has not been determined, there is likely a way to continue from the summit of Mill Point along the Printz Ridge to other peaks like this one.

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