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And it’s no wonder, with this year’s winter come and gone, and so many poor souls left hungry and unsatisfied, massive patches of snow like the one clinging to Lolo Peak’s northwestern face are a delicacy to be thrashed heartily.
Several of the righteous skied in shorts, most wore t-shirts and everybody rocked their shades. Periodic shrieks of pleasure rang out across Lolo’s highest bowl as the skiers took turns leaving their beautiful tracks behind.
F
Only three things were missing: an inflatable lobster, the Hawaiian Tropic bikini team, and The Iceman blasting, “Ooowee, ooowee baby, ooowee, Ooowee baby! Won’t you let me take you on a sea cruise!”
But nothing is free in this world, and you can only feel that good by paying for it with physical pain beforehand. Climbing, skiing, and returning from Lolo Peak is a 9.2 mile trip with a net elevation gain of around 4000 feet depending on how many runs you decide to take. On Lolo Peak you truly earn your turns.
To get to the trailhead take U.S. Highway 12 out of Lolo. Three and a half miles later hang a left on Mormon Peak Road. Follow Mormon Peak Road nine miles to arrive at the well-marked trailhead.
From Carlton Ridge the trail drops down to Carlton Lake. Other than a few small streams, Carlton Lake is the most reliable place to refill water bottles along the way. Above the lake Lolo looms and the sounds of small waterfalls whisper across the icy surface of the lake.
Summiting Lolo is the most difficult part of the trip. At certain points the trail is very steep and very slow going. It is also extremely exposed, sunblock is highly recommended. But once on top the ride down, not to mention the panoramic view, is, well, as good as any “sea cruise.” -\\-
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Spring
skiing on Lolo begins when Lolo forest rangers open the gate to the
trailhead in mid May. According to the people I met on Lolo the
other day, the weekend after the gates open every tele-skier,
snowboarder, and downhiller in town rushes to Lolo for an annual
backcountry-ski party.
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Missoula’s favorite pinnacle, slushy slopes drop 1,300 feet into the
icy waters of Carlton Lake. The skiers lapped the highest bowl two
or three times, dropping about 800 feet on an approximately 40
degree slope. If that is too technical let me put it this way, it
was perfect.
The
trail leads through a shady grove of tall conifers, up a mellow
switchback and eventually, to the top of Carlton Ridge. Strap on
your climbing skins as soon as snow covers the trail. 
