Jeff Schmerker
Valley guardian
Lolo Peak stands guard over the Missoula Valley, and motorists on Brooks Street headed south see it fill their windshield when the peak is out. The mountain is accessible year round, but the Mormon Peak Road (a dirt road passable to all motor vehicles), which gives the best access to the mountain, is only open from mid-May to the end of November. From the end of the road, a trail climbs 4 miles to an overlook of the peak; many turn around here but the trail continues on to a reservoir before tackling the peak itself. Plan on 8 miles one-day to the summit, and note that the true summit is not visible until you are on what you think is the high point – but in fact is the slightly lower north summit.
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