Fairy Lake and Sacagawea Peak

WRITTEN BY CHANDLER JOINER | PHOTOS BY ZACHARY GARMOE

When I first moved to Montana, I was bombarded with recommendations. Everyone had something to say about the best weekend camping spots, the most rewarding views and where to enjoy the best post-hike burger. I wrote down every recommendation and, as I have slowly been completing the list, one hike has stood out so far: Sacagawea Peak. While it may be one of the more popular (and challenging) day hikes in southwest Montana, Sacagawea Peak is an absolute summer must. As the highest summit in the Bridger Range (9,596 feet), it offers a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Several trails lead to the summit with varying levels of difficulty, but the most popular route starts at Fairy Lake and ascends Sacagawea Peak Trail.

When planning our hike, my fiancé and I decided to spend the weekend at the Fairy Lake campground to ensure we had enough time to explore the area. Only an hour away from Bozeman, the camp sites are managed on a first-come first-serve basis, so I would recommend arriving in the early afternoon. While we were lucky and there were very few humans around, plenty of mountain goats were rummaging through the campground when we arrived. After marveling at their carefree attitude, we set up shop and settled in for our early hike the next day.

The next morning we were shocked by the picturesque alpine lake (filled with trout and surrounded by lush forest) that greeted us at the trailhead. It was difficult to pull ourselves away and begin the ascent, but the promise of a post-hike swim pushed us on our way. Sacagawea Peak trail is a short, albeit challenging, round-trip hike (4 miles in total). There is significant elevation gain from the trailhead to the summit (2,000 feet) and the trail winds up a very rocky summit. There are plenty of switchbacks to help ease the steepness, but some scrambling may be required. Mountain goats meandered along with us, appearing to scoff at our struggles. There was stunning scenery throughout the entire hike and as we gained elevation, the landscape changed from dense forest to rocky meadows speckled with hearty wildflowers.

While it was full of huffing and puffing, the effort of tackling Sacagawea Peak was rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. It was a clear day and we were able to see in all directions, taking time to count each peak we could spot. We soaked in the views while munching on Cheetos and jerky (a combination I recommend) and reluctantly decided to begin our journey down.

After recovering at our campsite and preparing dinner, we took an evening stroll around the lake. People were finishing their days fishing, swimming and picnicking. We watched the tadpoles flop along the water’s edge, spotted hawks hunting nearby and enjoyed listening to the chorus of wildlife as day turned to dusk. Throughout our time, we marveled at the natural beauty of the crystal-clear water reflecting the nearby peaks.

Next time you are looking for a challenging hike, a crisp swim or just a relaxing spot to nature journal, I recommend making the journey to Fairy Lake. As the name suggests, it is quite magical!

Chandler Joiner is the Director at Rockhaven Camp and Retreat Center, located on Gallatin Gateway between Bozeman and Big Sky. Chandler is passionate about the transformative power of spending time outdoors.