Scenic Point
Scenic Point is a mountain in the Two Medicine Area of Glaceir National Park. It is a seven mile round trip hike to the top of Scenic Point, a 7,500 ft. high mountain. The trail climbs above treeline in the first mile, and switchbacks up though a talus slope to the ridge. The trail follows near the ridge for nearly a mile before reaching Scenic Point.
Scenery: 5 stars
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Length: 7 miles round trip, out and back with 2,500 ft. of climbing
Scenery: 5 stars
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Length: 7 miles round trip, out and back with 2,500 ft. of climbing
The trailhead for Scenic Point is the same as Appistoki Falls. So, the first mile will have lots of short hikers just going to the waterfall and back. Once you get above treeline, those dayhiker will probably dissapear. The trail start out as a wide gravel path rolling through a dense forest. The closer you get to treeline, the thinner the trees will get. About 7/10ths of a mile in, you will pass the short spur to Appostocki Falls.
Appostocki Falls
Appostoki Falls is a nice waterfall located 7/10 ths of a mile from the trailhead. The waterfall is worth the short side trip from the Scenic Point Trail. Soon after the waterfall, you will climb above treeline.
Approaching Treeline
After seeing Appostoki Falls, backtrack to the main trail and follow it up to the left. You will make your first switchback below treeline. The trail starts to climb steadily. The trees thin out and the views begin to open up.
After making four switchbacks above the falls, you will climb above the trees. For the next half mile, the trail climbs steadily up a nice trail before making another switchback. Climb another 1/8 th of a mile before reaching a small cliff band.
The trail will now make seven, short, but steep switchbacks over small, rocky steps. When you climb out of these switchback, you will reach a rocky promontory that affords a nice view of Two Medicine Lake and Rising Wolf Mountain.
Soon after leaving the rocky promontory, you will re-enter a forest that is almost 1,000 ft. above the regular treeline. This forest will shade the trail and often leave patches of snow to cross over. When we went in mid-June, we had to cross about 150 yards of snow in this forest. The will likely be a well-trodden path beaten down throughout the snow. Follow the main set of tracks and you will remain on the trail.
After breaking out of the small patch of trees, you are within a quater of a mile of the ridge. The narrow path climbs steadily through loose talus fields. The vista of Sinopah Mountain towering above Two Medicine Lake is spectacular.
After one more switchback, the trail swings south on a long gradual climb to the ridge top.
Soon after the trees, it makes a switchback and a long climb to a saddle. From this high saddle, the trail goes one mile farther to Scenic Point.