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Elevation change: approx. 3500ft Difficulty level: 4 / 10 The Bass Lake Trailhead starts at the end of the Bass Creek Road that runs into the Charles Waters Campground. This is called (by the signs) The Bass Creek Recreational Area. The trailhead is 3 miles from Hwy 93, 3.5 miles south of Florence, MT. Bass Creek Recreational Area is not marked by any signs except for a small green street sign that says "Bass Creek Road". There is a nice open area to park your vehicle in the shade where it will enjoy waiting for you while you walk-about. The first 2 – 2.5 of the trail is a fairly easy, wide trail to the Bitterroot Wilderness Area Sign, and that's where the hike (up) to the lake really begins. It is a series of switchbacks and uphill treks that wanders through the forest along the beautiful Bass Creek drainage. Somewhere at about 7 miles from the trailhead you will emerge from the forest to be greeted by awesome vistas of slides and open meadows, with the sharp ridge to the south. This is actually the dividing ridge between Bass Creek and Kootenai Creek. Closer to the lake, there are numerous slides that have actually either been beaten down by hikers, hunters, and horses or worked by the Forest Service into good trails. Wearing good hiking shoes and being aware of your footing will ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Richard even did this hike years ago when the slide was loose with a pinched nerve in his foot and still made it to the lake with some encouragement. The lake has various camp spots and fish. The trail follows around the shore, starting at the north side, and at the southwest end heads up over the divide and down into the Kootenai Lakes Trail. We plan to do that hike this year, unless we can decide on another adventure to somewhere we haven't been. This is a hike that can be enjoyed as a day hike with a fanny pack, a lunch, a couple of water bottles, and an early start. This trip took on the added dimension of sorrow and closing, as all of Montana Trail Gear (Dick, Toney, and Richard) took the ashes of our longtime hiking companion and very close friend BJ the hiking dog up to the lake. This was probably his favorite place to go, but in truth, he was tickled to be hiking anywhere in western Montana. We all said a tearful goodbye to our beloved companion as we scattered his ashes as close to Heaven as we could get. Goodbye dear friend. You are now, and will be forever, sorely missed. |
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