Browns Lake - Wise River Trail

Length: 13.3 miles

Use: Heavy

Difficulty: High difficulty.

Trail Begins: Mono Creek Campground

Trail Ends: T3S; R10W; Section 32, near Browns Lake

The first .5 mile climbs steady crossing the old Southern Montana Railroad bed. The trail passes through Lodgepole pine forest between Mono Campground and Jacobson Meadows. After the meadows the trail gently follows the edge of the meadow passing through a stand of Lodgepole pine. About 1.5 mile from the trailhead a can dump and the remains of a homestead can be seen. Just beyond are three rifle pits in the north side of the trail. Please do not disturb any of these artifacts. Some of the wildlife in this area is deer, elk, moose and other small mammals. The trail leaves Jacobson Meadows behind a .5 mile west of the junction with the David Creek Trail 56. From Trail 2 begins a climb steadily for about 1 mile. The view looks up the David Creek drainage towards Tweedy Mountain to the east. The trail now levels out and when near the creek a dense forest of spruce and fir will surround you. Some wildflowers to look for are lupine, dogtooth violet, shooting star and the white yarrow. Now the trail begins a steeper climb after the junction with the Schulz Lakes Trail 752 until Tahepia Lake 2 miles later. As the trail tops out at 0.5 mile north of the lake, incredible views looking back down the valley and Tahepia Lake with Sharp Mountain to the north can be seen. The trail here is close to the timberline and drops down to the lake. High rocky peaks surround all three lakes. Watch for mountain goats on the cliffs and open slopes. Two old pioneer cabins sit next to the shore of Lower Schulz Lake. From Tahepia Lake Trail 2 continues over a pass 0.5 mile to the east. While the pass is easy to spot from the lake it is hard to follow over the level ground around the lake but the travel is easy. At the foot of the pass the trail is easy to follow. A series of steep switch-backs over dry rocky ground will take you to a saddle in sharp ridge or glacial arete dividing two drainages. On the west side is Tahepia Lake and the Wise River Drainage, to the east looking down on Waukena Lake, which the trail passes by before following Rock Creek to Browns Lake.

For information on the trail from the pass east contact the Dillon Ranger District.

This pass is not advisable for stock.

Area Map: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Visitors Map

USGS Map1: Maurice Mountain.

USGS Map2: Mount Tahepia

Township 3S; Range 12W; Section 34