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Base Camp
Up
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: August 28,
1999
- Miles Hiked: 8.0
- Elevation Gain: 2,000'
- Hiking Partner(s): Payton
- Description:
- This was actually the first time that I
made it over to Montana to go hiking. The Rock Lake trailhead is located
about 10 miles northeast of Noxon (MT) not far off of Highway 200. Payton
and I left very early on this Saturday morning in order to get back in time to
babysit while my wife went to the driving range. What is this world coming
to?
- The first 3 miles of this trail was gradual with little difficulty. There were two old cabins and a
couple of campsites off the trail in this first leg. By the time I reached
Rock Creek Falls and the old Heidelberg Mine, I was beginning to wonder where
the 2,000' elevation gain was. Well, immediately after I explored an old
mine shaft and took a few pictures of the water falls, I found it.
- During the last mile to Rock Lake, the
trail became more narrow, brushy, and difficult. There were a number of
switchbacks and the views of the valley were getting better. When
Payton and I reached the lake, we were pleasantly surprised by two beautiful
young women and their daughters. No, I wasn't dreaming, it seems as though these
Montanans had spent the past couple of days camping and swimming at Rock Lake
while exploring
the surrounding area.
- After some small talk, they assisted me
in taking some photos (thank you ladies) and I left them to have my
brunch. Payton and I took in the scenery for a while and then headed back
down. It took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the lake, and on my return
I made it down in 1 hour and 5 minutes. This is a good hike that is not too far
off the beaten path.
- Maps:
- Click here
to view a 2D
map of the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
- Rock Creek Falls is where the more
difficult hiking began as I explained above.
- Here is the Heidelberg Mine and some
old equipment. Payton went farther into the mine shaft than I did, but
neither of us ventured in too far.
- Another picture of Rock Creek Falls
from the bottom.
- This was the valley that I hiked up
where the campsites and abandoned cabins are located.
- And finally, here is me up at Rock Lake
where I ran into the other backpackers.
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