Scalplock Lookout

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Spring · Views · Wildflowers

Well maintained trail, but steady grade all the way up.

The trailhead is found at the Walton Ranger Station near Essex, MT off Highway 2. This trail is a popular early season trail and snowshoe in the winter due to its south facing slope and easy trail access. Visitors will need to take a short section of the South Boundary Trail to access this trail, which begins the climb to Scalplock Mountain.

This trail has a steady grade all the way up. The route is through a pleasant forest giving shade on the southern slope, but limiting views of the mountains across the valley. This finally breaks at about a mile from the top where the trees give way to fantastic mountains all around, from forested hills to jagged rocky peaks.

The staffed lookout becomes visible and you navigate the ridgeline through beargrass and subalpine fir to the summit. Views of this area are fantastic with a sea of mountains in any direction.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Small forest birds and mammals through first section with flowers such as arnica and columbine. Alpine section features more ground squirrels, hawks and flowers such as anemone and beargrass.