Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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45.96850°N / 113.468°W |
Route Type:
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Class 3 |
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Time Required:
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Half a day |
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Difficulty:
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Climb/falling rock |
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Approach
You can reach the Pintler Range and McGlaughlin Peak by traveling down I-90 toward Missoula until you hit Route 1. Then take Route 1 to rt-38(AKA-skalkaho pass) Take rt-38 for 9 miles until you get to Moose Lake Road. Take a left on Moose Lake Road, (a dirt road) and drive 16 miles to the end of the road, where you will find the trailheads.After you park your car, you take the trailhead to the left, (back towards the road) which leads to a long gradual trail that goes up 1,000 feet to Edith Lake or Johnson Lake. The primary trail to McGlaughlin Peak is near Edith Lake. Most people hike 5 miles to Edith Lake and camp there for the night.
At Edith Lake:
From the main trail, you hike the trail around the side of the lake, until you reach the North end, where a small trail takes you to a class 3 ridge.
Route Description
Here is your route, a 1500' class 3 ridge
Take the above ridge up to the lowest point to the right of the peak (Point 8906'). The lower areas are more forest like, so you use tree routes to pull yourself up. Then, you reach the rocky section where you must carefully choose a good direction to the top. Watch out for falling rock, and pace yourself. This part of the trip takes well over an hour. You climb about 1500 feet up the ridge, to about 8800 feet. At the top you go to the left, and you will find a wilderness trail. You then hike another 1/2 mile and 500 feet up to the mesa-like mountain top that is McGlaughlin Peak.