Blodgett Canyon/ High Lake

Trail Description

Blodgett Canyon is one of the many access points to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. This trail description covers only a portion of the trail and includes the side trail leading to High Lake. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness contains the third largest wilderness acreage outside of Alaska, so one could embark on a hike that would last for hundreds of miles.
Blodgett Canyon is one of the most popular destinations along the Bitterroot range and for good reason. The scenery is remarkable before even setting foot out of your vehicle. From the trail head on you will hike through an old burn and lush vegetation with massive cliffs and spires towering along the canyon wall. This trail is great for hikers looking for a moderate hike with great scenery. Over the six miles only 1200 feet is gained. Look for the falls at around the 4.5 mile mark. At the six mile mark you will find the junction for High Lake. The High Lake trail is a grulling climb taking the hiker up over 2000 feet in 2 miles. Starting out climbing through fir and crossing small streams only to reach a lake-less basin seems frustrating, but soon after the trail climbs along the west face of the basin offering amazing views of Blodgett Canyon and the High lake basin. This trail is primitive and is difficult to follow. High lake actually has an old gravel dam and a cabin at its outlet left behind after the wilderness act. It’s a wonder how these structures even got here.