Sweeney Peak (Bitterroots) - June 22, 2024

Participants:  Larry Abramson, Kimberly Meade, Edna Blanchfield, Jacob Potter, Tom Stalz, 

Leaders: Susanna Girolamo Phillips & Candy Hartman

Sweeney Peak is a classic Bitterroot Mountain Peak. It’s a mountain I always hike once at year because of its infinite views and a safe ridge to traverse. Six participants were interested in doing the trip and joined me up the mountain.

We met early in Missoula and carpooled to Sweeney Peak Trailhead. The folks from Hamilton met us south of Florence. At about 8 AM we started our hike up the trail. The main trail takes you to Peterson Lake. We got off the trail just above the natural water spring, at about 7’600 ft, and hiked the rest along the ridge to the summit. We split into about three groups, allowing the faster hikers to go ahead, and find a better way up the snowfield. Thank you, Kimberly and Jacob, for the foottracks in the snow!

Along the ridge, the previous wildfires still show its scarred landscape, but it is changing. Not many of the burned-standing trees are catching your view anymore, new green vegetation has started taking over the terrain as far as the eye can see. 

Once we reached the top of the mountain we took a nice break, refueled on food, and started our way back down. We got back to the car around 3:30 PM.

What a great hike to higher elevations, exposed to off-trail traveling and endless views.

Participants:  Larry Abramson, Kimberly Meade, Edna Blanchfield, Jacob Potter, Tom Stalz, leaders Susanna Girolamo Phillips & co-leader Candy Hartman


Sweeney Peak is a classic Bitterroot Mountain Peak. It’s a mountain I always hike once at year because of its infinite views and a safe ridge to traverse. Six participants were interested in doing the trip and joined me up the mountain.

We met early in Missoula and carpooled to Sweeney Peak Trailhead. The folks from Hamilton met us south of Florence. At about 8 AM we started our hike up the trail. The main trail takes you to Peterson Lake. We got off the trail just above the natural water spring, at about 7’600 ft, and hiked the rest along the ridge to the summit. We split into about three groups, allowing the faster hikers to go ahead, and find a better way up the snowfield. Thank you, Kimberly and Jacob, for the foottracks in the snow!
Along the ridge, the previous wildfires still show its scarred landscape, but it is changing. Not many of the burned-standing trees are catching your view anymore, new green vegetation has started taking over the terrain as far as the eye can see. 
Once we reached the top of the mountain we took a nice break, refueled on food, and started our way back down. We got back to the car around 3:30 PM.

What a great hike to higher elevations, exposed to off-trail traveling and endless views.

Susanna Girolamo Phillips