The season is changing, I know this, but knowing and accepting are two entirely different things. Today marks the beginning of autumn — a short season in Montana — with the promise of snow much closer than I care to admit.
After my friends and I enjoyed another Sunday afternoon hiking near Mount Haggin, there was no denying the crisp gusts of wind or the light flurry of white that fell from the sky as we made the final descent to our cars. There was also no denying the beauty of the tamaracks and the foliage as they began their annual change of colors. Fall is a fantastic time to be in the mountains. Cool air, bright blue sky, warm autumn colors and two crystal clear mountain lakes was the setting of this week's hike, and as if this setting could be any more ideal, I was able to enjoy it with a group of my favorite friends. It doesn't get any better.
Six miles west of Anaconda is a fantastic hike that offers something for all levels of hikers, Barker Lakes. Lower Barker Lake is a 2.5 mile hike on an old jeep road that ascends gradually from 6,800 feet to 8,300 feet in elevation, but the lower lake would be a pit stop for us as we had made Upper Barker Lake, another .6 miles up and across a rocky ridge, our final destination. The first two-thirds of our hike was fairly straight forward and moderate. Our guide and my good friend, Joyce, points ahead of us, "we'll be just below Mount Haggin.” It looked a lot farther than 3.15 miles.
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Much of the terrain is open with sage and grouseberry bushes still carrying fruit, and the nearby creek kept the soil moist, the grass green and my dogs well- watered.
Just before arriving at the lower lake we crossed a high mountain plain with low growing plants and a howling wind to greet us. We dropped the last few yards into the lake side and the wind ended as quickly as it had started. Lower Barker Lake is a perfect picnic spot, or as it was for us, a great pit stop to grab a snack and continue on. If you're looking for a moderate, quick hike and don't have the shoes, experience or desire to get rugged, this is also the point where you turn around. If you're up for more, continue along the left side of the lake into the timber where strategically marked trees will direct you up the hillside to a large rockslide. The markings on the trees occur about every 25 to 50 feet, and once you know what you're looking for they are easy to spot. They are also the only signs of a trail. The rockslide is approximately 100 yards wide and is the crossing point to get to the upper lake. If your eyesight is good, you will see another marked tree on the opposite side of the slide letting you know where the trail continues. Vanity has kept me from wearing glasses, so I just took my friends' word for it that they could see the marked tree at the other side. Another quarter- mile and there it was, directly below Mount Haggin as Joyce had promised. Upper Barker Lake is the epitome of a mountain lake — pristine and secluded. It was the perfect spot to have our lunch and welcome in the new season.
To get to Barker Lakes trailhead, drive west from Anaconda on Highway 1 and turn left just before mile marker 18. Take another immediate left on a dirt road and follow this road 1 mile. At the Y continue left for another 2.3 miles. Park on the turnout on the right-hand side of the road. The trailhead is marked only by a Road Closure gate. Pass through the gate on foot and enjoy your hike.
Outdoor magazines are filled with stories from people who travel thousands of miles to experience the beauty of our backyard playground. If you haven't made time to get out into the outdoors, do so now before the white stuff I saw on Sunday decides to stick around.
