In the "Wild" and "Pristine" Centennial Valley

Hiking Opportunities Abound At Elk Lake Resort

Elk Lake Resort is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands. Our hiking opportunities are virtually unlimited. With wide open adventure opportunities out your cabin door - we have hiking trails
(or not) for all adventure lovers - families, couples, or singles.

In today's busy world, it is a rare privilege to spend an adventurous day, hiking, without sharing the trails with several other people. At Elk Lake Resort, the pure nature surrounding our western Montana Lodge offers trails into pure solitude. Spend the day on a developed trail (or not), and you'll enjoy nature at its finest - without the interruptions of the outside world.

Hiking is good for the heart, good for the head, and good for relationships. Step outside of the world of hustle and bustle, of blaring horns and roaring engines. Experience the voice of nature - the whisper of the wind in the pines, the trill and chirp of the birds, the snort of a deer, the whistle of a Rock Chuck, the haunting call of a Sandhill Crane, and the lapping of the lake's water on a quiet shoreline. A day spent hiking in our Montana mountains offers solitude, pure nature, and the Montana blue skies as your only companions.

Several hiking opportunities originate here at the lodge. Spend the day following cattle and game trails through the canyons and up the hillsides. Ramble along the lake shore, watching for river otters, elk, deer, and water fowl. Travel up the draw and across the ridge to reach the heights of Elk Mountain - and a spectacular view of two mountain ranges, Elk Lake, and the Centennial Valley.

Additional hiking opportunities originate at Hidden Lake. Follow the developed trail along Hidden Lake watching for Falcons in the rocky bluffs across the lake, river otters and waterfowl on the lake, and small mammals along the trail. Reaching the lake's end, you have to option to hike through the trees to Hoodoo Pass or travel down Lost Mine Canyon past Otter and Goose Lakes to Cliff Lake.

Want to traverse a more mountainous setting? Three trail heads originate in the nearby Centennial Mountains which will take you up into the alpine environment. The Odell Creek Trail will take you along a pretty mountain stream and up into the rugged Centennials. The Blair Lake Trail allows you access to the headwaters of the mighty Missouri as well as providing beautiful mountain vistas and two lakes for high mountain fishing. The Continental Divide Trail - heading into the Centennial, takes you across the face of the mountain side with expansive views up into the high mountain bowls on Mount Jefferson and impressive vistas looking across the Centennial Valley.

Elk Lake Resort is the perfect place for a family adventure vacation. Ken Streater, a guide and river outfitter since 1983, has observed the following. "Over the years, people from all walks of life have listed hundreds of reasons why they enjoyed their adventure travel vacation more than other types of vacations -- exploring a wild and natural place, participating in challenging and rewarding activities, having fun with friends and family while escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life . . .

"There is often something meaningful, and at times even unnoticed, that takes place on adventure vacations, particularly among families. It seems that all of the benefits listed above combine to help bring families together, in ways that may not be possible on traditional vacations. Dozens of research papers and countless articles have been written on the benefits of wilderness outings, and participating in challenge-based activities. These articles point to increased self-esteem, improved communication and socialization skills, enhanced self-identity and awareness, and improved concepts of teamwork. Adventure travel vacations that include challenging activities and wilderness recreation provide the same outcomes. When families participate in adventure vacations, each of these benefits often leads to the enhancement of the family unit itself, as increased individual self-esteem, self-identity and better communication opportunities lead to a strong family team. Simply put, family members really enjoy, learn more about, and support each other on an adventure vacation."

Hiking provides the advantages of an family adventure vacation without the added expense or training required for more rigorous or dangerous sports. If you've got a good pair of shoes, two healthy legs (with at least a moderately healthy body attached), a comfortable day pack, and a water bottle - well, you're pretty well set for a day of adventure.

Best of all, hiking as a family - or as a couple - has a way of slowing life down and bringing into focus the things that really matter in life. Story after story has been told of families split apart by the busyness of life - divided by space, time, or circumstances - frustrated by issues simmering under the surface - or just lonely from too much time spent going different directions - who have found healing for their relationships and new ground for building a future on an adventure vacation.

Getting away from the daily grind, time to be together without the daily 'duties' to get in the way, laughing with and at each other, talking, playing, even just hanging out together is a prescription for renewal. As one mother of two put it, "I was actually able to completely relax and enjoy the vacation as much as everyone in the family, which I can't remember being able to do on any other type of vacation. As a result, we were able to just enjoy each other's company. Our family actually played together every day, without distraction from outside sources. This meant so much to me and my family just in terms of being able to get to know each other'."

"Often times just being away from it all is all that it takes to bring families together. Adventure vacations in places such as wilderness river canyons or alpine mountains can provide some of the best "get away from it all" settings possible. There is no television, no mall, no phone or Internet-- just peace and quiet," Ken points out. And, although far too little study has been done on the wonderful effects adventure vacations can have on a family's or a couple's relationship, numerous testimonials attest to the benefits getting away together can have. Don't let the opportunity pass you by this summer. Schedule a family adventure vacation or couples getaway to the Montana mountains - Elk Lake Resort is here to make it a reality!

Hiking Specific Websites