Dawson Pitamaken Loop

This is a long loop to start with - 18 miles or so - going up one pass, walking a ridge to another pass and descending through that pass. However, for us it was extra long because one of the trails was closed and we had to detour. The North Shore trail was closed because of a dead carcass and bear activity. Instead we took the South Shore trail adding an extra couple of miles.

The day started out spectacularly when I saw a moose on the side of the road on the drive into Two Medicine. Then on the trail we saw a grouse with its chicks. The South shore trail wasn't too spectacular except for some pretty views of the lake. From the end of the lake we headed up past No Name lake to Dawson pass. Once at the top we had views views of Two Medicine lake and No Name Lake as well as the beautiful mountains in the Coal Creek Nyack area.

From Dawson Pitamaken Loop

We saw several goats along the ridge. They looked very different from the white coated ones that we had seen earlier. I am not sure if they were a different kind or if they had already lost their winter coat.

We took a break at the Pitamaken overlook where I spotted a small animal with big, big ears. It was a pika. I should have snapped a quick picture but I was so excited that I called everyone's attention to it. It didn't like the attention and retreated to its rocky home.

From there we walked to Pitamaken pass and where we had spectacular views of Pitamaken lake, Oldman Lake and another lake that doesn't seem to have a name.

At the end of the twenty miles I was pretty done in but it was a GREAT hike with spectacular views but don't I say that everytime?

Full size photos here or check out the slide show below