Mount Aeneas Trail

The hike to Mount Aeneas in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Flathead Valley can easily be overlooked since it is in such a geographically rich area, with Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness so close, but it is absolutely a hidden gem that doesn't get enough attention. Mount Aeneas sits at just over 7,500 feet and from the summit it gives amazing 360 degree views of Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Flathead Valley, and Hungry Horse Reservoir.

It is classified as a strenuous hike, but the hardest part is about a mile of steep switchbacks, and it's totally worth the workout for the incredible views. Be sure to check the current status of the trail online, because after particularly harsh winters it tends to open pretty late in the season.

The trail starts at Camp Misery in the Jewel Basin behind the closed gate. This is an old service road that goes up for about 1 miles and narrows into trail #717. This part of the trail offers great views of Lodgepole Pine forests with Flathead Valley down below.

After about another half mile, you will reach a junction with three routes. Take the trail that continues on #717, it begins to climb immediately. Soon, the switchbacks begin which you'll follow up towards the ridge-line. You will come to Microwave Tower, a small relay station. You are almost guaranteed to run into mountain goats up here. It's a good spot for a water or snack break.

On this upper ridge-line and beyond is the most scenic part of the hike. Be very careful, especially if the snow is still melting (as was the case when I hiked it), since the ridge-line drops off drastically on one side. There are other ways to come back down, including a loop that takes you on the other side of the summit, along the nearby lakes, but I just did the shorter hike back along the same trail.

Other great nearby hiking trails include Blaine Mountain via Doris Creek and Flathead Lookout.