Sweathouse Falls

I did this hike once in the Fall of 2020, and then again in the Spring of 2021. Obviously, they were quite different. In the Fall, I ran into a bird hunter, who was very respectful with his gun as he passed me and we chatted for a moment (you never know if you're bumping into a crazy person...after all, Ted Krazynkski lived in Montana) and the water was quite a bit lower, which wasn't all bad, when you read on.

This Spring, however, the water was rushing, which made the falls quite a bit more majestic, but you wouldn't want to get close to it, much less in it, as you'd be washed downstream in a big 'ol hurry, and the rocks against your head might guarantee an unscheduled interview with God.

I got there two different ways, the first being well studied before I left the house, the second, erringly, going by a quick internet read and memory. Not my best moment in hiking history! Either way, it's easy to get there, depending on from which way you're coming. From Missoula, right as you come into Victor, you will take a right onto Meridian Lane. Take a left at Sweathouse Creek Rd, which will take another left, then right. You drive right through someone's property, but rest assured, you'll know when. There's a giant sign that reads something like, "YOU'RE DRIVING THROUGH OUR YARD, PLEASE SLOW DOWN."

From Hamilton, you'll take something like Bear Creek Rd. to Red Crow Rd. to Sweathouse Creek Rd. It was a bit more convoluted, as Red Crow Rd. does some weird 90 degree angle turns, and then you don't know if you're on that, or Pleasant View Rd. The Meridian to Sweathouse Creek was a lot quicker and straightforward, no matter what direction you're coming from, in my humble opinion.

The hike itself is quite short. A little over 2 miles with a subtle elevation gain. It gets a little steeper towards the end, but easily manageable. I kept thinking to myself, "Self, this would be a good hike for someone not used to Montana's elevation." Most of my relatives live at sea level, and I'm always hoping they will eventually come out for a visit. Side note~my nephew started playing minor league baseball for Great Falls, so I feel like I have a way better chance of my sister and brother-in-law making out this summer. (YAY!)

I'm going to post the pictures from both hikes, and caption them to let you know why doing this hike both in the Spring and Fall is a wonderful idea! Even though there were a lot of  cars, ie: hiking parties, on this trip, hardly any were actually at the Falls at the same time that I was there. I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that there are actually two falls. I noticed both times that a good amount of people stop at the first and head back. I think that's an awful idea, and the hike to the second is very quick. I will try to give you more info. about this hike in the captions. 

The parking area isn't clear but these signs are there, which makes it a little more obvious. You start walking up the road, when you meet two gates. The black one to the right is the one you want to walk around and go up that way. You'll still be on a gravel road. It passes by an old mine, I believe, before it turns into a trail. I was a little worried at first, that I was walking onto someone's property. 

These are from this Spring. The water is raging. (Sorry about the fingers!)

Spring~ First Waterfall

Along the trail

You can see some mining, I don't know, rail? I don't acutally know. If you want to explain it to me, that would be great!

This is the same pool, at the top of the first falls. The first is from the Fall, second from the Spring. I bathed in it last fall, but was scared to get too close this Spring! When I first came upon it last Fall, there were two ladies having lunch. I was a little sad that I couldn't enjoy it, but soon realized the trail kept going, which is what I did. When I came back down, they had moved on, so I had it to myself (with my hiking companion, Xena, water loving doggo of the world)

Ahhhhh, I love the perfectly clear mountain water! *Spring

This is the bottom of the second falls in the Fall

And this is the same spot this Spring