The Medicine Point Lookout Trip Preview
The Medicine Point Lookout sits next to a magnificent, mile-deep valley, across from the tallest peak in the Bitterroot, Trapper Peak. The trail up to the lookout is a short, but steep hike, and with your guide carrying most of the essentials you'll only have to carry a few lbs of weight on your back!
Once up at the lookout, you'll kick back and relax, take in the views, eat scrumptious food, and utilize the card games left by others on past trips. The pace of the rest of the trip is up to you!
Trip Itinerary
Trip Highlights:
- Backpacking one night at the Medicine Point Lookout in the Bitterroot National Forest
- Your guide carries essential gear items for you. You only carry your own clothing and water!
- Day Hikes with no packs along the ridge that the lookout sits on.
- Sleeping under some of the darkest skies and see the Milky Way!
- Eating tons of tasty backpacking food
Trip Activity Level:
Moderate 3
Inclusions:
- Guiding Services
- Gear Rental
- All backpacking food and snacks
- Accommodation for 1 night.
- (Optional) Transportation from Missoula or nearby location available.
Group Size:
2 - 4 people, Private Bookings Only
Day 1 - August 30th
Backpack to the Medicine Point Lookout
2 mi, 2000 ft elevation gain
Noon:
Meet at the Medicine Point Lookout Trailhead and pack bags at the trailhead before heading up. We’ll review the trip plan, conduct all safety reviews, and ensure we have everything we need before heading up.
Afternoon/Evening:
After arriving at the lookout, your guide will prepare a post-hike snack for you and you’ll explore the mountain top. Pika reside in the rocks up here! Dinner of your choice is to be expected!
Day 2 - August 31st
Backpack back to the Trailhead
2 mi, 2000 ft of elevation loss
Morning/Day:
Pack up and leave camp by 12 pm for a moderate decent down the mountain. Arrive back at the trailhead by 3 pm. Then we say our farewells and head back to civilization!
Photos From Past Trips
The interior of the lookout has been beautifully restored to highlight the original design and purpose of the tower. Practice calling out fires with the Osborne Firefinder! You can also see our 'kitchen' (the stove on the table) pictured to the right.
Started at the bottom...
Now we're here! (2 mi and 2000 ft up!)
An excellent location for portraits, landscape photography, astrophotography, and wildlife photography!
Pika live in the rocks that make up the base of the firetower. These Leporidae, members of the rabbit family, live in the rocks year-round, under multiple feet of snow in the winter.
The view looking north towards the Bitterroot Valley. At night, you can see the lights of Hamilton!
The wrap-around observation deck is our favorite part of this lookout.
As you can see, the smoke from wildfires is fairly visible from the tower's perspective.
A variety of delicious backpacking meals and dining options available! Can cater to many different dietary restrictions.
Your guide, Luke, pictured left, on another trip.
Quesadillas are easily 10 times better in the backcountry. (This one is a bit burnt though!)
Your guide will start a campfire for you each night and teach you tips and tricks on how to find firewood and start a fire in the backcountry!
F.A.Q.
How much hiking will we do each day?
2 mi on both days 1 and 2! One day of day hiking with a length of your choosing!
Do you provide the gear?
Rental gear + cost are included in every trip.
What should I pack?
Do you provide food or water?
Snacks and Backpacking meals are provided on this trip. Scroll down for more info about meals and snacks.
We also carry Sawyer water filters on every trip. It'll be the freshest, coldest water you've ever had!
Will we see wildlife?
We may see some wildlife, but encounters are usually unpredictable. Pika are commonly encountered on this trip. With that said, the Bitterroot is home to bears, elk, moose, wolves, mountain lions and pika as well as a plethora of other animals.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, please bring your dog assuming it loves hiking and can handle the planned hiking milage!
Are accommodations included?
Accommodation is included for both nights in the lookout.
Is transportation included?
Transportation in a trail-modified 4Runner is available as an add-on during the booking process!
Check out our Ultralight Gear.
Some companies don't provide rental gear in trip pricing, but we do!
Our gear is ULTRALIGHT! Your full pack weight will be under 30 lbs!
We carry
the best backpacking meals.
Plan out and the gobble down meals by brands like Gastrognomeals and Wild Zora.
Digital Topo Maps and Virtual Trip Planning
Included with this trip:
- Access to digital topographical trail map on Caltopo.com
- Virtual trip planning meeting one month prior to trip on Google Meet.
Pricing
$1800
3 Days Backpacking for 1 or 2 people, $500 ea additional person.
50% down at time of booking, remaining 50% down 60 days from the start of the tour.
Reviews
"Luke was very personable & knowledgeable. He provided thoughtful snacks & a yummy meals. He would give scientific names to the landscapes/ mountains, show the markings on the mountains from glaciers. The FLOATING was amazing, being on a beautiful body of water & surrounded by extreme beauty was amazing. I will definitely hike with Luke again!"
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
A refundable deposit of 50% of the full amount of the trip is required to secure your spot on this trip. 50% down at time of booking, and the remaining 50% down 60 days from the start of the tour.
If you decide to cancel your trip, the trip is 100% refundable until 59 days before departure. After this, the booking becomes non-refundable.
Weather
The weather can be incredibly difficult to predict for a mountainous environment like the one we’ll be visiting on this trip. We’ll plan for temperatures in the 50s - 70s during the day and 30s - 40s at night. This hike will be hosted rain or shine, but in the event of a thunderstorm, we will take shelter using the precautions outlined by Wilderness First Responder training the guide has received. In the very rare case of dangerous thunderstorms for multiple days, trips can be rebooked or a partial refund of up to 50% can be given.
Disclaimers
Condition Restraints
This tour is, in part, in remote areas. This adds to the adventure and opportunity to enjoy a true nature experience. However, due to the nature of the terrain, weather, road conditions, and other elements beyond our control, some elements of tours may have to be altered. Times of some activities may need to be changed or even cancelled due to the conditions. If an activity is cancelled it will be replaced with an alternative activity that is more appropriate for the conditions. Advance notice will be given for any changes where possible, although at times changes may be made whilst the tour is in progress.
Wildlife Encounters
On every trip, we love to see wildlife, but it is impossible to guarantee an encounter or sighting. With that said, wildlife is common in the Bitterroot National Forest and it is likely we will see or encounter something. A note on Grizzlies: Grizzly bears are very uncommon in the Bitterroot. The Bitterroot was once their habitat, but settlers and homesteaders drove them out of this area.
Terms and Conditions
Acceptance of Risk and Responsibility
Nature and adventure travel is by character, an activity that requires traveling in areas that are often remote and the terrain difficult. Whilst every precaution is taken to ensure the comfort and safety of guests, these trips inherently have have elements of risk. By taking part in this tour you acknowledge that there are inherent risks and that you are fully aware of the conditions of travel, accommodation and activities offered. You accept that Bitterroot Backpacking, its staff and sub-contractors cannot be held liable for any accident, illness or similar occurrence. You hereby accept all such risk and release the company from all claims and causes of action arising from any injuries or damages resulting from these inherent risks.
Authority on Trail
At all times, Bitterroot Backpacking's guide or its representative will be final authority on all matters likely to endanger the safety, well-being and enjoyment of the tour. Clients must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should the client fail to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on tour or, if in the company’s opinion, the client's behavior causes or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate that client’s tour without any liability on the company’s part.