To explore the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness, first pick up an $8 tribal recreation permit, available at Allard’s Trading Post and other local stores. A map of the Flathead National Forest or the Flathead Reservation is another essential.
St. Mary’s Lake is less than 10 miles from St. Ignatius [1] on St. Mary’s Lake Road. (Find the road just southeast of the mission and follow it as it turns into a fairly bumpy, dusty gravel road, turns left, and heads into the hills.) There are several places to pitch a tent around the lake, and it’s worth taking along fishing gear and a tribal fishing permit; there are some lunker trout around here.
Just over a mile up the road is the first of the Twin Lakes, which are a little more isolated and quieter than St. Mary’s. No motorboats are allowed on the Twin Lakes; St. Mary’s does permit them.
Drop in for a yoga class at Working Wellness (203 Main St., St. Ignatius, 406/370-5445, www.workingwellness.com [2]).
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/missoula-and-northwestern-montana/flathead-reservation-and-mission-valley/st-ignatius
[2] http://www.workingwellness.com