This trail run is so much fun you won't want to go home. We won't lie, the first half of this trip is tough. But the steep climb leads to a gorgeous lake, and then another. By the time you're partway down the nearly 4,000' descent giggling with every switchback, you'll have forgotten the effort it took to get you here.
Prepare yourself, and your quads, to zig and zag down a 3,900’ descent. We call this run the Honeymoon, not just because it begins up Honeymoon Creek, but because by the end of the trip you won’t want to go home.
The first few miles of this climb we earn that descent. The trail steeply climbs through incredible, cool old-growth cedar forests before offering the first views of the day on the steeply treed sides of the eastern Cabinet Mountains.
After a few miles of hard work, however, we pass through two lake basins with the opportunity to cool off with a quick dip before continuing on. A mountain summit caps of the day with expansive views of the neighboring mountain ranges and Thompson Falls far below.
Then it’s time for some fun! The last 4.5 miles of this trail run, we will descend nearly 4,000’ down to the trailhead. With the work down on the front half of the run, there is no reason not to let loose and work on those descending skills! Or, take advantage of the significant prominence of the trail and indulge yourself with changing views at every switchback. Either way, the last half of this run is a blast!
Aside from the last descent, this route is exceptional in the variety of ecosystems we pass through. From the moist cedar grove to subalpine firs to alpine lakes and ridges then back through a lodgepole forest, we will hit just about everything. Don’t miss your chance for this one-of-a-kind trail run.
This trip includes:
The Honeymoon Alpine Running Guides Trip is permitted to be on the Lolo National Forest by the Superior/Thompson Falls Ranger District.
"The chance to run in the remote wilderness with experienced guides gave us the confidence to branch out from our routine trails in Missoula and the Bitterroots...The views, the laughs with Sara and Forrest, and even some trail and running tips along the way make the entire experience more than just worthwhile."