Bass Creek Trail

The trail to Bass Lake outside Stevensville is a must-do for anyone who wants to visit the craggy peaks of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The trail starts off following Bass Creek through a narrow forested canyon, while distant summits occasionally peek out from behind the trees. After switchbacking past rocky outcrops, popping in and out of the trees, and passing fields of beargrass and paintbrush, you’ll emerge on the shores of Bass Lake, which is surrounded by near-vertical rock walls and snowcapped summits. Turn around here for an 18-mile trip, or use it as a basecamp to explore the spectacular Bitterroots. Photo by Oliver Wood