Kruser - Jan 19, 2024 7:58 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2022
Easy climb
Fun boulder hopping to the summit, I saw a bear on the very rough road to the trailhead.
Super Dave - Dec 26, 2023 10:52 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2023
Pleasant hike
Pleasant hike through the forest, good summit views. Here’s a write up and some photos.
sponto - Oct 17, 2023 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2023
Beautiful Late October Hike
Had the peak to myself!
whitebark - Aug 28, 2022 10:23 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
Climbed using the Sleeping Woman Trail
We ascended the peak using the Sleeping Woman Trail #707., which is the shortest route.
It is a good news/bad news situation with this trail. The good news is that all downed logs were cleared recently, and the trail is in good condition from the trailhead all the way to its intersection with the Reservation Divide Trail. The bad news is that the the last few miles of the access road is as bad as ever, full of rocks, ruts, and encroaching brush. If you have a low-clearance sedan, or if you care about the paint job on your car, don't try it. We made it with a Toyota RAV4.
The view from the top was fantastic as always. A strong and chilly south wind made conditions at the top a bit uncomfortable, but we had a great time nevertheless.
wmolland - Oct 2, 2021 10:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2021
fun!
A fun family trip with a nice little scramble at the top and superb views.
Kyle Van Vleet - Jul 15, 2021 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2021
Nice hike
Happy to get out with dog and bag this one.
mikekernan - Apr 26, 2021 9:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2018
Biked from Missoula, then climbed up, the biked back to Missoula
My friend Seth and I biked the 40ish miles to the trailhead from Missoula, then hiked up the trail and scree field, then biked home. It was way colder than we expected given it was August in Montana and I of course didn't check the weather beforehand, so it was actually a tough day.
The true meaning of "sisterhood," when you call up your sister and say you want to climb to the top of Cha-paa-qn next week and she asks what day and time? This had always been a "Bucket List Item" for me, but I call it a "Life Adventure List." We were going to do the Sleeping Woman Trail, but when we stopped at the Nine Mile Ranger Station, they said they don't recommend that road, so we changed out plans to do the Reservation Divide Trail, which added more time to the hike. This trail takes quite a while, so leave early. We felt rushed on the top, so didn't get as many pictures as we would have, as we knew we needed to allow time for the return trip and didn't want to be in the dark. Bring bear spray with you the trail is very brush in numerous spots, in late summer there would be quite a few huckleberries along the trail. We saw a pika on the rocks on top. Also, we found out at the ranger station that you don't need a reservation permit to hike the trail, as it is all in the Lolo National Forest. Bring some flagging tape to mark where your trail is, when you start the rock climb, so you don't take the wrong trail when you come back down. I seriously can't believe the the posts of climbing this at dark and in poor weather. There are a lot of amazingly tough people out there.
MTfred19 - Jul 13, 2018 4:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2018
The Longer Way
On a busy weekend, you can take a different route and have it all to yourself. The Kennedy trail is actually pretty well maintained, only a few logs down. Good views of the peak on the way up. If you've been up the other ways too many times, why not go the longer way? Its 8 miles each way but a rather pleasant hike. Very busy at the summit, same great views!
larch32 - Jun 11, 2018 8:25 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2018
Freezing!
An evening hike in absolutely frigid weather. All the trees were caked in ice.
Young Royce - Apr 29, 2017 11:18 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2016
Quick trip
Quick trip to the summit, I think it takes longer to drive to the trailhead from Missoula than it does to climb it:) still fun tho with amazing views of the Missions.
Took the divide trail over to the Sleeping Woman trail and then up to the summit. It was still very foggy at the summit and the furthest I could see was an occasional glimpse of the small lake to the northeast. By the time I was back at my car skies were blue, making me wish I had started a bit later.
Jn2 - Jun 2, 2015 7:32 pm Date Climbed: May 31, 2015
Nice Summit
Very wet on the East side and still a good bit of snow on the West side of the approach from Divide Trail... 50% of the trail is wet basically but no crampons/spikes needed. Nice clear views from the top though! Round trip was about 4 hours with a 1/2 hour on top. First Montana ascent for us!
The Limey - May 27, 2015 11:41 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2015
Cold and Windy
Wanted to hike this peak for a long time. Very cold and windy. Lots of clouds and snow. Hiked it with my son. Followed the biggest moose tracks we've ever seen. Beautiful views.
ericnoel - Aug 10, 2014 12:57 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2014
Chpaaqn
Reservation Divide Trail.
cdog - May 10, 2014 11:02 pm Date Climbed: May 10, 2014
sleeping woman trail...and some snowy road
interesting spring hike up the 2178 Road from where I parked due to snow, then transitioning onto the Sleeping Woman Trail the rest of the way. Was probably 5 miles each way. Didn't see a soul, had some variable spring weather but with little precip, and overall a nice experience. A couple highlights: walking in grizzly tracks to save myself some post-holing on the road, and reaching the summit to be blasted by a northern wind that must've chilled the temperature at least 25 degrees.
MTfred19 - Jan 8, 2014 11:23 am Date Climbed: Jan 7, 2014
Winter Ascent
I was able to drive my truck to a spot just past the Ninemile CCC Camp but man, the road sure was icy! The bushwack from there up to the regular SW ridge trailhead was not a big deal, and the snowshoe slog up the trail was a great workout. Too bad it was nasty and socked in up top, but I hadn't been up here for over 10 years, I bet, so it was worth it anyways! Quite a sketchy drive back down that icy road!
Kruser - Jan 19, 2024 7:58 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2022
Easy climbFun boulder hopping to the summit, I saw a bear on the very rough road to the trailhead.
Super Dave - Dec 26, 2023 10:52 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2023
Pleasant hikePleasant hike through the forest, good summit views. Here’s a write up and some photos.
sponto - Oct 17, 2023 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2023
Beautiful Late October HikeHad the peak to myself!
whitebark - Aug 28, 2022 10:23 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
Climbed using the Sleeping Woman TrailWe ascended the peak using the Sleeping Woman Trail #707., which is the shortest route.
It is a good news/bad news situation with this trail. The good news is that all downed logs were cleared recently, and the trail is in good condition from the trailhead all the way to its intersection with the Reservation Divide Trail. The bad news is that the the last few miles of the access road is as bad as ever, full of rocks, ruts, and encroaching brush. If you have a low-clearance sedan, or if you care about the paint job on your car, don't try it. We made it with a Toyota RAV4.
The view from the top was fantastic as always. A strong and chilly south wind made conditions at the top a bit uncomfortable, but we had a great time nevertheless.
wmolland - Oct 2, 2021 10:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2021
fun!A fun family trip with a nice little scramble at the top and superb views.
Kyle Van Vleet - Jul 15, 2021 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2021
Nice hikeHappy to get out with dog and bag this one.
mikekernan - Apr 26, 2021 9:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2018
Biked from Missoula, then climbed up, the biked back to MissoulaMy friend Seth and I biked the 40ish miles to the trailhead from Missoula, then hiked up the trail and scree field, then biked home. It was way colder than we expected given it was August in Montana and I of course didn't check the weather beforehand, so it was actually a tough day.
guerinak - Jun 9, 2020 12:09 am
Attempted skiTried to ski on a storm day in early June. Gnarly bushwhack back down the Reservation Divide resulted in quite the epic.
missoula - Aug 7, 2019 8:46 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2017
bag before the smoketons of beargrass this year. Bagged this a couple days before the hell smoke of Lolo peak and rice ridge fires.
ayoncha - Mar 19, 2019 9:01 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2018
Perfect day at Ch-paa-qnSnowy trail in parts, fun scramble to the summit
RainyRiehl - Sep 26, 2018 4:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2018
Cha-paa-qn, Life Adventure List CompletedThe true meaning of "sisterhood," when you call up your sister and say you want to climb to the top of Cha-paa-qn next week and she asks what day and time? This had always been a "Bucket List Item" for me, but I call it a "Life Adventure List." We were going to do the Sleeping Woman Trail, but when we stopped at the Nine Mile Ranger Station, they said they don't recommend that road, so we changed out plans to do the Reservation Divide Trail, which added more time to the hike. This trail takes quite a while, so leave early. We felt rushed on the top, so didn't get as many pictures as we would have, as we knew we needed to allow time for the return trip and didn't want to be in the dark. Bring bear spray with you the trail is very brush in numerous spots, in late summer there would be quite a few huckleberries along the trail. We saw a pika on the rocks on top. Also, we found out at the ranger station that you don't need a reservation permit to hike the trail, as it is all in the Lolo National Forest. Bring some flagging tape to mark where your trail is, when you start the rock climb, so you don't take the wrong trail when you come back down. I seriously can't believe the the posts of climbing this at dark and in poor weather. There are a lot of amazingly tough people out there.
MTfred19 - Jul 13, 2018 4:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2018
The Longer WayOn a busy weekend, you can take a different route and have it all to yourself. The Kennedy trail is actually pretty well maintained, only a few logs down. Good views of the peak on the way up. If you've been up the other ways too many times, why not go the longer way? Its 8 miles each way but a rather pleasant hike. Very busy at the summit, same great views!
larch32 - Jun 11, 2018 8:25 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2018
Freezing!An evening hike in absolutely frigid weather. All the trees were caked in ice.
Young Royce - Apr 29, 2017 11:18 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2016
Quick tripQuick trip to the summit, I think it takes longer to drive to the trailhead from Missoula than it does to climb it:) still fun tho with amazing views of the Missions.
Peaker - Jul 12, 2015 7:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2015
Gloomy MorningTook the divide trail over to the Sleeping Woman trail and then up to the summit. It was still very foggy at the summit and the furthest I could see was an occasional glimpse of the small lake to the northeast. By the time I was back at my car skies were blue, making me wish I had started a bit later.
Jn2 - Jun 2, 2015 7:32 pm Date Climbed: May 31, 2015
Nice SummitVery wet on the East side and still a good bit of snow on the West side of the approach from Divide Trail... 50% of the trail is wet basically but no crampons/spikes needed. Nice clear views from the top though! Round trip was about 4 hours with a 1/2 hour on top. First Montana ascent for us!
The Limey - May 27, 2015 11:41 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2015
Cold and WindyWanted to hike this peak for a long time. Very cold and windy. Lots of clouds and snow. Hiked it with my son. Followed the biggest moose tracks we've ever seen. Beautiful views.
ericnoel - Aug 10, 2014 12:57 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2014
ChpaaqnReservation Divide Trail.
cdog - May 10, 2014 11:02 pm Date Climbed: May 10, 2014
sleeping woman trail...and some snowy roadinteresting spring hike up the 2178 Road from where I parked due to snow, then transitioning onto the Sleeping Woman Trail the rest of the way. Was probably 5 miles each way. Didn't see a soul, had some variable spring weather but with little precip, and overall a nice experience. A couple highlights: walking in grizzly tracks to save myself some post-holing on the road, and reaching the summit to be blasted by a northern wind that must've chilled the temperature at least 25 degrees.
MTfred19 - Jan 8, 2014 11:23 am Date Climbed: Jan 7, 2014
Winter AscentI was able to drive my truck to a spot just past the Ninemile CCC Camp but man, the road sure was icy! The bushwack from there up to the regular SW ridge trailhead was not a big deal, and the snowshoe slog up the trail was a great workout. Too bad it was nasty and socked in up top, but I hadn't been up here for over 10 years, I bet, so it was worth it anyways! Quite a sketchy drive back down that icy road!