Carlton Lake from Mill Creek: Feeling better than I imagined.

Distance: ~14 miles

Vertical: ~5,400ft

It was 5:00am, and with quick decision, a click of the snooze button brought it quickly to 5:30am. Figured such action was acceptable; this was going to be a solo tour. :)  Soon afterwards I was at the Mill Creek trailhead at 7 talking with a nice gentleman by the name of Dan W. He came out to ensure I knew that the 'No Trespassing' signs at the gate of Mill Creek were not, in fact, absolute. The land was purchased by an individual from Mississippi, and one is suppose to respect this now private property by remaining on the trail for the first 1.5 miles.  

Friendly info immediately after starting.

It's worth mentioning, and by request of Dan, please keep an ear out for any public notices, or activity regarding the future of the Mill Creek trail. It's important for the regional forester to be aware that this trail system is still in use. Both during winter and summer months. The only viable (albeit long) route to Lolo Peak and surrounding area during winter months, while the Mormon Creek road is gated. Additionally, to my understanding, a fantastic mountain biking route for the summer months.

As suspected, ice all over; courtesy of recent weather.

I had never made use of the Mill Creek trailhead, so I was going off of my topograph map for planning and I had assumed the road was gated right after where my map was showing the trail starts from the road. Turns out, the road is actually gated nearly 1.5 miles from where the trail itself starts from the Mill Creek road. This would affect my timing and intended destination of Lolo Peak, north.

This is where I had originally thought one could drive...

Copious amounts of windfall.

huge!

Not a very good representation of size, but good sized mountain lion tracks... all over the place. Followed these for a few miles.

Between the upper portion of the Mill Creek trail, and its junction w/ Lolo Peak trail, I was walking in a sea of tracks. Wolf, mountain lion, moose, and elk... my only [false?] sense of security was the bear spray, and .40 cal. (of which I only carry on solo tours) Also, my singing to warn any wildlife that I was in the area. :)

First glimpse of Mormon Peak from the ridge.

Getting to this junction felt like a triumph in itself.

Feel like I was taking the Lolo Peak trailhead (3/4mi from here) for granted!

Working up Carlton ridge.

Top of Carlton.

When I reached the top of Carlton at about 12:15 (5hrs after starting) I felt like Lolo Peak north would be within grasp for the day. Without giving it much thought I ripped off the skins and skied some very firm snow down to the lake.

Upon reaching the lake and re-applying the skins, I scouted the options. This is when I began adding up the time measurements I'd been keeping in the back of my head for the route back. Ski pack: ~3hrs, ski back down: 1 mile past the Mill Creek/Lolo Peak trailhead ~30mins, Buffer time for error: 1hr... thanks to the public school system I knew this was 4.5hrs, a glance at the watch said 12:45. If my estimations for the time back are correct, I wouldn't be getting back until 5:30-6pm if I turned around now! Reflecting on the massive amounts of mountain lion and wolf track, I thought it best to getting out, 14 miles is good enough. 

Looking east towards the Bitterrrot Valley.

Back on top Carlton Ridge.

Not exactly power turns.. haha

back to ski packing.

View of the parking arrangement on the other side of the green gate.

I made it back with light.. and plenty of it. The voyage down only taking me 3.5hrs vs. the expected 5ish hrs. In hindsight, the lower ridge of Lolo Peak would have been more than 'do-able'. But, I'm glad I wasn't hiking back in the dark by myself. A group tour to Lolo Peak north would be long, requiring headlamps for sure, but within reach of those seeking to push themselves. I consider myself an average ski tourer, so this can be done for sure. I felt bad for getting back earlier than expected, (4:30pm) I ended up taking the scenic route and walked on the road instead of the trail that bisects the road at about a mile up the road from the start. I couldn't believe how great I felt, how much I loved pushing myself into this. It never ceases to amaze me how the human body can keep pushing. You go until you think you can't, then this subtle, steady stream of momentum, almost magically moves those legs, churning them into new places.  

Stats

When the Mormon Creek road opens this spring, I would love to do a 'six lake tour' around the Lolo Peak area. Carlton, Little Carlton, Mclain, (ski down the other side) S. One Horse, Reed, and N. One Horse Lake. Then back up and down Lolo Peak north.

Thank for looking!

-Miles Granger