Page 44 - Flathead Living Fall 2014

FIVE ROAD TRIPS FOR FALL
tEN laKEs
➡ graVe creeK rOaD
he teRm “hidden gem” iS
undoubtedly overused, but the first time you drive the 30 miles from Highway 93 to Big
rriault Lake, you can’t help but feel
like you’re uncovering a wonderful secret. And, given its accessibility and close proximity to the Flathead’s major hubs, you realize it was never that hidden after all.
Grave Creek Road, just south of Eureka, takes you to the doorstep of the Ten Lakes Scenic Area, a pristine swath of glacier-shaped timberland full of hiking trails and alpine lakes. Whether you’re venturing into the Ten Lakes backcountry, or simply enjoying a leisurely Saturday cruise, this well-maintained stretch of gravel and paved road has the feel of an off-the-beaten path adventure, though you actually never have to leave the path at all.
The Trip
From Kalispell, you drive north on Highway 93 for just under 60 miles, where you’ll then turn right onto Grave Creek Road. Within the first three miles is a turn for Homestead Ales, a local microbrew- ery, and shortly after that is the Grave Creek Campground. Continuing past
the campground, the paved road begins climbing elevation at a steady clip, follow- ing along a pretty boulder-filled creek.
The road fluctuates between paved and gravel, narrow and wide, but it’s in good shape throughout, with bushes full of thimbleberries lining its edges. There are a surprising number of pullouts with informational signs, providing information on everything from the different species of huckleberries to geological forma- tions to the native Kootenai Indians.
Along the way, you come across trailheads and turnoffs for U.S. Forest Service roads leading to various lakes. The area is home to an abundance of subalpine vegetation and wildlife, including grizzly bears, bighorn sheep and three native cat
TheT
LITTLE & BIG THERRIAULT LAKES
TO EUREKA
N
2 mi.
2
TO WHITEFISH
The road to Ten Lakes Scenic Area.
species: lynx, bobcats, and mountain lions. Follow the signs for Little and Big
Therriault Lakes, two picturesque mountain lakes with superbly maintained camp- grounds flanked by glacial cirques and tow- ering rimrocks. The road dead ends at Big Therriault. The Therriaults provide access to a network of trails, some of which wind around the two lakes and others that lead
to other lakes in the Ten Lakes Scenic Area. The Ten Lakes Scenic Area was recom-
mended for wilderness designation in 1984 but never received the designation. Yet, the Kootenai National Forest manages it as if it’s a wilderness, disallowing motorized vehi- cles. You can use the Therriault Lakes as
a launching point into Ten Lakes, or as the final stop on a memorable day road trip.
42 FLATHEAD LIVING | FALL 2014
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PHOTOS BY GREG LINDSTROM