Hiking in Bear Country | Glacier-Two Medicine Walks | Recommended Hikes

Hiking the Badger-Two Medicine Area

Located immediately south of Glacier-National Park, the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest offers fabulous hiking across more than 130,000 acres of remote, roadless country. For the adventurous who want solitude, physical challenge, or true backcountry experiences, the Badger-Two Medicine has something for you. Hikers willing to put in the effort can ramble for days through some of the wildest country in Montana. Enjoy wildflower-filled meadows, rolling grasslands, quiet forests, cold creek crossings, spectacular ridge walks, and breath-taking scenery, all while encountering few, if any, people (but likely lots of bears!).

Thankfully, for people interested in a little less adventure or with a little less time, the splendors of the area can be experienced on several lovely, easy to moderate day hikes along the Highway 2 corridor. Please be aware, however, that trails tend to be in rough shape (especially compared to Glacier National Park to the north), mild route finding is sometimes necessary, and creek crossings are all unbridged, which can be quite hazardous or impassable during high water. Help is not easily available in this remote place. Therefore if you choose to explore the area, it’s important to be competent in backcountry travel, to carry proper equipment, and to be prepared for self-rescue.

Hiking in Bear Country

The Badger-Two Medicine area is prime grizzly and black bear country with one of the highest densities of grizzly bears in northern Montana. While the opportunity to see a bear (or bear sign) is one of the true joys of recreating in the Badger-Two Medicine country, it presents certain risks - for both bears and people. All of us can do our part to help make any encounter as safe and enjoyable as possible. Please practice proper bear safety in the Badger by following the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest’s recommendations and regulations, including:

• Don’t hike alone; Stay in groups of 3 or more.

• Be vigilant about your surroundings; look for sign; make noise in areas with obstructed views

• If you encounter a bear, announce yourself. Move away slowly. Never run or drop your pack.

• Give bears space - stay at least 100 yards away when watching bears

• Keep a clean camp - when not in use, secure all food and attractants in bear proof containers or hang in a tree at least 10’ up and 4’ from the trunk.

• Carry bear spray, keep it accessible, and know how to use it. Bear spray is far and away a more effective deterrent than firearms!

Recommended Hikes in the Badger-Two Medicine

Hall Creek

Type of Hike: Out and Back
Trail Miles, Elevation Gain: 4-6 miles, 500 ft
Difficulty: Moderate

This lovely walk travels through aspen parklands, mixed coniferous forest, and open meadows with spectacular views of Glacier National Park on its way to the Hall Creek proposed drill site below Two Medicine Ridge. This hike offers a great introduction to why oil and gas development is wholly inappropriate for this area and why we have fought so long and hard to keep it out. The hike begins from FS road 9223 near the entrance to the Rising Wolf Guest Ranch. The trail initially climbs uphill away from the Two Medicine River for about one mile before crossing Hall Creek. The route then turns off the forest system Trail 118 and follows an abandoned route up a low ridge paralleling the creek. Keep your eyes out for Bitterroot flowers along here in early July. The trail then drops a short distance to ford a small stream before climbing to the proposed drill site. After taking some time to enjoy the view and peace of wild country, return the same way.

Buffalo Lakes

Type of Hike: Out and BAck
Trail Miles, Elevation Gain: 3 miles, 400 ft
Difficulty: Moderate

The easy journey to Buffalo Lakes offers a great option for those looking for a short walk or family outing in the Badger Two-Medicine.  The hike begins from an unmarked pullout on the southside of Highway 2, approximately 1.75 miles west of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation boundary. The route initially follows an old road, before climbing moderately through open country and aspen stands to reach the lakes. On the walk into Buffalo Lakes, be sure to take some time to stop and look back at the mountains of Glacier National Park, to check out the abundant wildflowers, and to watch for wildlife.While the maintained trail officially ends at Buffalo Lakes, those looking to go a bit further can easily follow cattle/user trails for a short climb to the top of Lubec Ridge. The ridge provides outstanding panoramic views of the Badger-Two Medicine, the Great Plains and Glacier Park.

Kiyo Crag

Trail Type: Out and Back
Trail Miles, Elevation Gain: 8 miles, 1,500 ft
Difficulty: Strenuous

This gem of a hike takes you to a high, rocky promontory affording breathtaking 360 degree views of the mountains and prairies. The hike begins where the Palookaville Rd. crosses the North Fork of Little Badger Creek. (Palookaville was the name given to the area by sheepherders who ran flocks in these hills around a century ago.) The road beyond this point has been closed to motorized vehicles since 2009, with an exception for administrative access in order to maintain a communications site on Mount Baldy. The hike follows this gravel road uphill through open country for three miles to Whiterock Pass. Terrific views help distract from the moderate, but steady climb. Extremely strong winds may also be experienced. For most of the last two miles, an impressive limestone wall towering above Kiyo Crag Lake dominates views to the south. Kiyo Crag itself is the highest visible point on the escarpment. Just below the pass, the hike leaves the road and climbs cross country. The route finding is fairly straight forward. Just keep the cliff off to your left as you wind through patches of timber and open subalpine tundra. The last pitch includes some light scrambling over talus and boulders. Enjoy uninterrupted views of what the Blackfeet call the Backbone of the World. Return the same way you came. A pleasant, but longer alternate route begins about a mile to the east and follows a Trail 183 up the North Fork of Little Badger Creek to Kiyo Crag Lake before climbing to meet the road.

NOTE: The Palookaville Rd. access route begins on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. High clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles required. Hikers need to check with the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department about any current access restrictions pertaining to the Palookaville Rd. before they go as well as purchase a required Blackfeet Conservation/Recreation permit before crossing tribal land. Phone (406) 338-7207 for more information.

ElkCalf Mountain

Trail Type: Out And Back
Trail Miles, Elevation Gain: 6 miles, 1,500 ft
Difficulty: Strenuous

This is a challenging but rewarding hike to a prominent peak on the Continental Divide that affords tremendous views of the Badger-Two Medicine, Great Bear Wilderness and Glacier National Park. The hike begins at the end of the Pike Creek Rd. (FS 8958) just west of Marias Pass. The first couple miles follow a decommissioned road at a gentle grade through mixed coniferous forest. There are a couple of old road junctions, so pay attention at each to ensure you stay on the main route, which continues south up the drainage. After a couple miles, the road turns into a trail that climbs quickly to a low saddle on the Continental Divide between Elkcalf and Flattop Mountains. From here, follow the ridge to the summit. An old, unmaintained trail can be seen. This portion of the hike is within the fire scar left by the Challenge and Skyland fires, so it offers no protection from sun, wind or storms. Look around for USGS survey markers. Signs of the old temporary fire lookout, including a telephone wire, can be found. Retrace your steps. Elkcalf can also be accessed via two different routes from the Skyland Rd. corridor to the west, but this route from Pike Creek is the most scenic.

Heart of the Badger

Trail Type: Multi-Day Loop (4 - 6 days)
Trail Miles, Elevation Gain: Approx. 67 miles, 1000 ft Difficulty: Difficult

This multi-day loop provides the adventurous backpacker a long ramble through the forests and stream canyons of this beautiful country. On the whole, the hike is surprisingly flat, allowing one to make good time if desired. However, the experience of passing through this country is so delightful, you are advised to build in plenty of time to linger and observe wild nature at its best. The hike begins at the Summit Trailhead about two miles east of Marias Pass and follows Trail 101 up the South Fork of the Two Medicine River about 10 miles to its head in meadows above Badger Cabin. This section contains about a dozen stream crossings so hikers should wear shoes they don’t mind getting wet. From the cabin, follow Trail 103 up the North Fork of Badger Creek skirting the edge of the 2017 Crucifixion Fire, before entering cool, dense forest as you pass below the flanks of Goat Mountain. After about 5.5 miles, take Trail 145 south to its junction with Trail 146 - Crucifixion Creek trail. Shortly after the junction, the trail re-enters the Crucifixion burn. Follow the trail to the South Fork of Badger Creek and turn north. The next five miles pass through heavily burned country. As of 2019, the trail was generally pretty easy to follow. However, in a few places, erosion, blowdown, and dense regrowth make it difficult to find the trail. At the same time, the fire opened up lovely views of the creek, Goat Mountain and Curly Bear Mountain. The trail crosses Badger Creek at a place known as the Forks and climbs up to an old jeep trail. Follow this three miles back to Badger Cabin. From here, the route retraces Trail 101 down the South Fork Two Medicine River to the starting point on US Highway 2. Opportunities for camping are abundant the whole way. Where possible, try to concentrate use in existing sites rather than establishing new ones. Water is prevalent. Side trips to lakes, creeks, and summits abound.

Disclaimer

The foregoing descriptions are intended as general overviews only and cannot replace proper preparation, backcountry safety equipment, and good judgement. If you go (and we hope you do), please follow Leave No Trace practices, and be prepared to self-rescue. Also, whatever you do, and wherever you go, don’t forget to laugh and listen to the land!