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| South Ridge   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Montana, United States, North America Route Type: Hiking, Scrambling Season: Summer Difficulty: Class 2-3
| Route Quality: | | | | Loading...
| Page By: Bob Sihler Created/Edited: Aug 9, 2009 / Jul 18, 2011 Object ID: 538803 Hits: 528 Loading... Page Score: 86.55% - 3 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
This can be a hiking route if one makes the effort to keep it that way, but anyone who enjoys Class 3 scrambling will probably find the route easier and more enjoyable by following the ridge as directly as possible.
The route climbs the south ridge of Hidden Lake Peak from the saddle directly west of Our Lake. There is no significant exposure as long as one does not stray too far from the ridgetop. The scrambling you will encounter is easy unless you go out of your way to make it harder.
People uncomfortable with exposure and Class 4 conditions should use this route for both the ascent and descent, for they will encounter both on this mountain's other routes.
Getting There
About 4 miles north of the Rocky Mountain Ranger Station in Choteau on U.S. 89, a paved road indicating skiing and fishing access heads left. Take it. About 17 miles later, take a left turn that shortly crosses the South Fork Teton River and becomes a gravel road. This is the South Fork Teton Road, and you follow it through increasingly pretty scenery for about ten miles to a parking area at its end. The parking area is about 1 mile past the turnoff for the Mill Falls campground and recreation area. Mill Falls takes only a few minutes to see and is pretty but not heart-stopping. On the right side of the road at the parking area, you will find the trailhead for Headquarters Creek Pass and Hidden Lake (Our Lake). The route starts here.
These roads are passable for passenger cars.
Route Description
Rather than give a detailed description that attempts to give a virtual tour, I am presenting the key details, followed by a series of route photos in a style similar to a trip report. Each picture display has a short caption, and the photo captions themselves, readable by clicking on the photos, contain more information.
Key Details
One-way distance is about 4.5 miles; elevation gain is about 2700'. Hike to Our Lake, gaining about 1500'. The sign at the trailhead says it is 3.5 miles to the lake, but it is closer to 3; my pace suggested about 3.1, and my GPS track said 3.2.
From the lake, a saddle is clearly visible directly west of the lake. Hike to it, following a path most of the way. The distance from the lake's outlet to the saddle is about a mile, and elevation gain is about 500'.
Head north up the south ridge to the summit. This is a climb of about half a mile, with about 700' of elevation gain. With effort, you can keep the route at Class 2. Otherwise, expect to encounter some Class 3 conditions the more you follow the ridge directly.
Route Photos
Saddle |
Scrambling |
Scrambling |
Almost there... |
Images
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Bob Marshall Country
