South Salish Mountains High Point, Hot Springs Montana

Jen with the Flathead River and Mission Mountains (Mt. Calowahcan on the left and McDonald Pk. in the center).

The Flathead River and Mission Mountains from South Salish Mountains High Point

Last Sunday Jen and I took a trip up to Hot Springs, combining a mellow peak bagging outing to the South Salish Mountains High Point, which sits just east of town, with a soak in Camas Springs. It was a very pleasurable day, reminding me how nice it is to share an outing with Jen. This is one of those mountains that few know about. It's not too tall and is, basically, in the middle of nowhere. I only learned of it because it is on the list of Montana peaks with 2000+ feet of prominence. It's about the size of University Mountain in Missoula, and so some would say that it isn't worth the bother. But because it is so isolated from other mountains, the views from the top are grand, as the pictures show. It's worth a trip from Missoula, especially if you combine it with a hot springs soak in Hot Springs.

South Salish Mountains High Point from the turnoff to Hot Springs on Highway 28.

It's easy to get to: coming from the south on Highway 28, drive 2.5 beyond the turn off to Hot Springs and turn right on Garcon Gulch Road. You'll follow this road for quite a ways, bearing first east and then northeast until you climb more steeply to a saddle (or pass) on a ridge. Turn around here and backtrack a very short distance to a two lane road heading uphill on your left. This road will take you nearly to the summit. When in doubt, at an intersection, take the uphill fork in the road.  

Another Missions & Flathead River shot.

The southern Missions: McDonald & Sheep's Head on the left and West St. Mary on the right. What are those in between: Mountaineer (pointy one in the back), Flattop (center), Sonielem (left of West St. Mary)?  

Thompson Peak, another P2000 peak. I'd like to figure out how to get to it from this side. Most drive in from the Plains side.

Jen liked the cliff on the left.

Flathead Lake, northern Mission and Swan range.

Resting at the summit.

Obligatory Pudge shot.

Camas springs. I love these hot springs.