Western Montana Getaways: Cascade pours out of mountains and under scenic Skalkaho Highway
By ROB CHANEY of the Missoulian
There are hundreds of remarkable waterfalls within a short hike of Montana roadways. But if you've got a houseful of stick-in-the-muds who dread getting off the paved surface, give Skalkaho Falls a try.
This is one of the few cascades that actually require the use of windshield wipers. They pour down, and pass under, Skalkaho Highway right at the point where you're wondering if a scenic byway could get more beautiful.
Montana Highway 38 is a seasonal road that links Hamilton and Philipsburg through Skalkaho Pass in the Sapphire Mountains.
Usually open from Memorial Day to snowfall, it's a deceptively well-maintained one-lane dirt road for most of its journey. Despite its dodgy appearance on the map, it's tame enough for passenger cars and light boat trailers.
Skalkaho Pass sits at 7,260 feet above sea level. Getting there involves not looking over a few incredibly steep canyon walls as the road climbs above the creek of the same name. Along the way, you can see how forest fires of different years have reached different stages of recovery.
The falls come around a sudden corner. In early season, the water arcs 10 feet or more over some terraces as it roars out of the hillside. As summer dries out, those steps show in better relief. There are a couple of pull-out areas to park for a few minutes while you look at the scene.
Unfortunately, there's no real room to hold a picnic, unless you don't mind some road dust on your tailgate.
Once you've convinced your cityfolk of the value of an outdoor experience, move them along to the pass itself. There's no grand vista here, but lots of better stopping spots for that picnic. Also, watch the meadows for moose and elk. From the top, it's an easy drive down to the Flint Creek Valley to Porter's Corner. From there, you can take Montana Highway 1 south to Georgetown Lake or north to Philipsburg.
Even if you were planning to make the circle back up to Missoula on Interstate 90, it's worth a quick southern detour to the most dramatic part of the Pintlar Scenic Loop as it climbs up to Georgetown Lake through a rocky cleft. Back at the pass, there are a number of hiking trails to small lakes and creeks for fishing (remember your license).
The Sand Basin area and the West Fork of Rock Creek lead through several meadows and oxbow streams with pleasant campsites. Bring the bug spray, however, as the mosquitoes can be cloudy.
If you go
Montana Highway 38, the Skalkaho Highway, starts about three miles south of Hamilton and heads east for 54.3 miles to Porter's Corner. Skalkaho Falls appears about 25 miles into the trip on the one-lane portion of the road.
