Cut Bank Creek • Hike • Montana • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jul 13 2017

FOTG

Guides 37
Routes 556
Photos 10,872
Triplogs 1,052

43 male

Joined Jan 21 2013
AZ

Pitamakan Pass Trail

North Central, MT

Pitamakan Pass Trail

North Central, MT

Hiking		Jul 13 2017
		FOTG • Triplogs 1,052

Hiking	25.66 Miles	5,537 AEG

Hiking	25.66 Miles
	5,537 ft AEG

Linked

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Triple Divide Pass

Cut Bank Creek

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This was a nice little over-night backpack that I did out of the Two Medicine area. I took Dawson Pass trail to Oldman Lake, then went over Pitamakan Pass on the way to Atlantic campground, where I hung my gear for a quick day hike up Triple Divide Pass, from there I hiked Cut Bank out to the trailhead and then hitched back to my car at Two Medicine.

I intended to hit Dawson Pass on the way to Oldman Lake through a very indirect large looping option. However, I was feeling very fatigued that day for some reason and my legs were feeling very heavy from the start, so I opted for the very direct route up Dawson Pass Trail and along day of relaxation at the lake. The hike in one was more tiring than it should have been, but it was pretty scenic in spots and over pretty quickly. I took several naps, snacked and read during my lazy day at the lake. Two other campers came in later in the day and they were pretty good company. Endured some very heavy winds, but no rain. Went to bed early in an effort to recoup a little energy.

Day two started with the climb up Pitamakan Pass. After hitting the intersection that connects the Dawson-Pit Loop, I made the quick half mile hike up to the overlook on the way to Dawson. Some of the nicest views in the park may be had here, however, they were slightly diminished by the scars of a recent forest fire on the west side of the pass. From there, I backtracked back to the Pitmakan Pass and started my hike towards Atlantic Campground. This stretch of trail was generally top notch. In particular, I enjoyed the descent from Pitmakan Pass and the Morning Star Lake area. After reaching Atlantic, I hung my gear and made a quick hike up to Triple Divide Pass. I thought Triple Divide Pass was pretty amazing and would probably rank it near Stoney Indian, as my favorites of the park. The grade going up was great and the views of Medicine Grizzly Lake and the waterfall feeding it will be hard to ever top. After Triple Divide, it was back down to my gear and then a pretty uneventful hike out Cut Bank to a series of hitches back to my car at Two Medicine.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Marmot (Hoary) Moose

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Intrepid Back Shot

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Atlantic Falls Medicine Grizzly Lake Oldman Lake Pitamakan Lake Seven Winds of the Lake Triple Divide Pass

Oldman Lake

76-100% full

Pitamakan Lake

76-100% full

Seven Winds of the Lake

76-100% full

Two Medicine Lake

76-100% full

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1 archive

Jul 02 2008

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Cut Bank Pass TR to Med. Grizzly Lake

North Central, MT

Cut Bank Pass TR to Med. Grizzly Lake

North Central, MT

Hiking		Jul 02 2008
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	12.00 Miles	1,789 AEG

Hiking	12.00 Miles	5 Hrs 55 Mns	2.03 mph
	1,789 ft AEG

no photosets

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Medicine Grizzly Lake - Triple Divide Pass

Cut Bank Creek

Cut Bank Creek Pass

Dawson Pass Trail

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This popular east Glacier Natl Park backpack trail begins at the Cut Bank TH and makes it way(with little elev gain/loss)to a most beautiful setting 6 hiking miles in at Medicine Grizzly Lake(5618'). Mother Nature did a beautiful job of landscaping this area with beautiful meadows, outstanding Rocky Mtn summits, dense-green forests and ground cover, and topped off with the rapid flow of the North Fork of Cut Bank Creek & Atlantic Creek paralleling & crossing this Pitamakan Trail.

For the start of our 5th day hike on this 10 day GNP trip, we were greeted with a cloudy, misty morning with low clouds hanging over the many dominant Rocky Mtn Peaks that lie between us and the lush green meadows with spring flowers guiding our path. As we hiked in we enjoyed the lush-green Douglas fir and lodge pole pine forests that bordered this trail with the fast moving North Fork of Cut Bank Creek and Atlantic Creek paralleling and crossing our trail at numerous locations. At 3.9mls in we passed the intersection of the Pitamakan Lake/Pass(7580') Trail that continues on to the Two Medicine Section of GNP. At 4.3mls we passed a nice backcountry campsite area as we continued to a left turn spur trail junction for Medicine Grizzly Lake at 4.5mls in. If in instead, you continue straight at this spur trail intersection, you will be on another popular backpacking route to Triple Divide Pass(7397') at Triple Divide Peak(one of the most "unusual" points on the North American continent..Google it!!..) to the Saint Mary section of GNP.

At ~6mls in at the beautiful setting with mirror perfect Medicine Grizzly Lake, we took a lunch break as we took-in the surrounding backdrop views of Medicine Grizzly Peak(8153') and Triple Divide Peak(7982') with cascading waterfalls and lacy snow melts streaming down from the high plateaus and cliffs above...just picture perfect reflections to remember forever! :GB:

Wildflowers Observation Substantial

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(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

1 archive

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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