Buffalo Lakes

On July 2 I went on a hike for the first time in a long time.  Tammy didn't like to hike, and didn't like me hiking with my group because the group included women, so I didn't hike much when she and I were together.  Now that Tammy has left I can get back to hiking.

My neighbor Jim is in a hiking group of mostly guys and they hike during the week. I have never hiked with them.  On Wednesday July 2 they planned a short hike to Buffalo Lakes near Marias Pass along Hwy 2 and next to the Blackfoot Indian Reservation.  Larry S. had hiked to this lake before and there were hopes the wildflowers would be in full bloom.  We did see wildflowers but it appears we missed the full bloom by about a week.

Our group was eight people.  All men except for one couple.  All retirees except for me with the ages (I believe) in the 60s and 70s, except, again, me.

We met up at the Columbia Heights park 'n ride area.  Several other hiking groups were there also.  Another group of men were hiking to Ousel Peak and a group of women were hiking to the Scalplock Lookout.  Wednesday appears to be a popular hiking day.


The trail head for Buffalo Lakes is along Hwy 2 on the south side just east of where the trail head is for Firebrand Pass.  The trail head parking area is a small pullout along the highway.  I think it could only fit three vehicles.  No signs about the trail or the lake.

The route

Glacier National Park mountains.  Center and left of center is Calf Robe Mountain.  Just right of center is Firebrand Pass.

When we reached the route and clear cut of the natural gas pipeline we took a left and left the trail.  We hiked up to the ridge at the horizon, then followed the ridge line to the right.  This gave better views than if we stayed on the trail.  Later, after we reached the lakes we hiked back on the trail.

Two freight trains meeting.

We saw several signs of bear activity from the ground torn up in several places in search of roots and grubs to teeth marks in the plastic marker.   No recent scat though.

At the ridge line is a fence marking the Blackfoot Indian reservation.  This is the view east onto the reservation.

What's going on?

They were all looking at this mushroom.

Some wildflowers.

Walking the ridge line towards the lakes.

Lakes are seen in the distance (middle of photo).

Another view of the Blackfoot Indian Reservation.

One of the lakes is at left as we continue to climb the ridge line.

Buffalo Lakes.   We ate our lunches up here where there was a slight breeze to keep us cooler and keep most of the bugs away.  I and a few others did get bit.  I noticed some small flies on my legs and ankles. They didn't appear to be biting but then I noticed blood and bites.  I just didn't feel them until they started itching some hours later.

Half way up the mountain on the other side of the lakes we heard and seen a few cattle.   On the walk out from the lakes we saw cow manure on the trail.

Coming down the ridge to the lakes.

We crossed the lakes on a beaver dam between the lakes.

 Then walked along the lakes.

The ridge line we walked on earlier is on the right.

More wildflowers and lichen.

Hiking back to the cars.

Lady Slippers, which made Larry's day. He took lots of photos of them.

In all we hiked 3.3 miles.  The elevation gain was 890 feet.  Several people had GPS on their smart phones or watches. Everyone's totals were slightly different.  The mileage and elevation was the consensus.