After moving to Montana, I didn’t expect to be diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. Always an outdoor enthusiast, I dreamed of hiking and skiing for the rest of my life. As I sat in the doctor’s office, I wondered “Would I be able to hike and ski again?” Grief filled my mind until a nurse came in. She told me I had two choices: give up or be even more active.
I chose the latter.
Energized by the challenge, I now had new goals to reach, like hiking in Jewel Basin. I had never explored Jewel Basin in the 25-plus years I had been coming to Montana. Physical therapy, strength training, a change in diet plus hiking sticks made all the difference for me as I hiked the Strawberry Lake trail in Jewel Basin.
Located in the Flathead National Forest just 30 minutes from downtown Kalispell, Jewel Basin is a hiker’s paradise. There are 27 alpine lakes and 35 miles of hiking trails. Many people compare Jewel Basin’s beauty to that of Glacier National Park. On Mt. Aeneas trail, the most popular trail in Jewel Basin, hikers can hike alongside mountain goats. A true local’s hiking playground.
Our college-aged son came with my husband and I on the hike. We always like to hike with him before he goes off to college. Traveling to Jewel Basin, newcomers can be caught off guard by the bumpy road to get to the trailheads. Off of Echo Lake Road, the 3.3 mile drive up to Strawberry Lake trailhead is not for the faint of heart, even in my husband’s Ford 250. Welcomed distractions along the bumpy way are wildflowers and berries, including thimbleberries and our treasured huckleberries.
The trail to Strawberry Lake, with a 1,673-foot elevation gain, has many switchbacks and at times I questioned where I was headed. On the trail our son blazed ahead, thankfully with a walkie-talkie, gave us updates on how much further to go. He radioed us from a long flat ridge, which gave me hope as the numerous switch backs taxed my calves.
Once we got to the ridge line, I understood the beauty of Jewel Basin. Staggering natural beauty from every angle. A panorama vista of Flathead Lake and mountainous valleys filled with lodgepole pines and tamaracks dotted our view. Simply breathtaking. From the ridge line the trail began a slow descent giving us a hint of an emerald-green lake tucked away in a forest of trees. Once on the shore of Strawberry Lake, we saw fish jump and we soaked up the peace and quiet, enjoying the mirrored effect of the alpine trees reflecting off the lake. A group of mountain bikers broke the silence, but they too respected the natural surroundings, quietly slipping into the lake to cool off. The mountain bikers then hopped on their bikes leaving us to enjoy the serene alpine lake all to ourselves.
Enjoying my respite by the lake I felt thankful for an incredible day outside enjoying the wonders of nature here in the Flathead Valley. Jewel Basin is truly a gem. It’s special because there are fewer people on the hiking trails than any other place I have hiked and I have been hiking since I was a child. It's a secluded slice of nature that has a unique ruggedness and rawness about it that draws me closer to a higher power. Immersing myself in nature like what I found in Jewel Basin fills me with peace. It is a spiritual experience. Completing a hike like Strawberry Lake trail also fills me with courage and confidence that I can continue living my life to the fullest.
"Physical therapy, strength training, a change in diet plus hiking sticks made all the difference for me as I hiked the Strawberry Lake trail in Jewel Basin."