For the fifth summer in a row, a dedicated group of nature lovers and hikers have organized an incredible bevy of excursions into the mountains right outside our back door.

There are more than 50 high mountain lakes in Mineral County and every year, the Mountain & Billy Goats, a division of the ‘Healthy, Happy Hikers’ club, offers a chance to view some of them on foot with easy, moderate or strenuous hikes.

These are guided hikes and free of charge unless you’d care to use the shuttle service when it’s offered at a nominal fee.

The guides are enthusiastic, knowledgeable of the area you’ll be hiking that day with safety being the first priority and having fun the second.

This is wonderful outdoor exercise for families with young children, singles, couples, birders, coffee-clutches, visitors, botanists, photographers, well truly everyone!

Friendly dogs on leash or voice command are invited. Everyone hikes at their own comfort level and many opt to wait at a vista to soak it in and rejoin the group on the return trip.

So how does it work?

One just checks the schedule and select the hike(s) you’d care to participate in. RSVP the day(s) and number of other hikers that will join you.

Then meet at the designated rendezvous location at 8 a.m. the morning of the hike.

You’ll pack water and snacks, sunscreen and anything else you might need.

Thank goodness cameras are now digital because you’d go broke on the number of pictures you’d want to have developed!

RSVP and more information from [email protected] and at 406-370-4335.

Please choose hikes that match your ability level. 10 hikers per adventure so secure your place at 406-370-4335.

Join the email list at [email protected] for other hikes that are not listed here.

Hikers are responsible for water, snacks, sunscreen and doggie do-do pick-up. Please act responsible by knowing your fitness level und potential health limitations before signing up/considering the different hiking options.

Hikes are listed below by date, location, difficulty rating and if the shuttle is available.

SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 20 - Copper Lake - Easy, 3.2 miles roundtrip (Shuttle)

Saturday, June 27 - Montreal Gulch Trail 163 - Moderate, 5 miles roundtrip

Saturday, July 11 - Ch-paa-qn Peak (Formerly known as Squaw Peak) - Moderate, 7.2

miles roundtrip. Unstable footing on loose rock at top. (Shuttle)

Sunday, July 19 - Trapper Peak (Bitterroot Hike) - Strenuous, 9 miles roundtrip

Tuesday, July 21 - Illinois Peak - Strenuous, 9 miles roundtrip (Shuttle)

Tuesday, July 28 - Lightning Peak - Strenuous, 11.2 miles total

Tuesday, Aug. 4 - Eagle Cliff - Moderate, 5.4 miles roundtrip (Shuttle)

Sunday, Aug. 9 - St. Mary’s Peak (Bitterroot Hike) - Strenuous, 8 miles roundtrip

Tuesday, Aug. 11 - Trail Lake - Easy, 4.2 miles roundtrip

Monday/Tuesday, Aug. 17-18 - Leo Lake (overnight) - Moderate, 9.6 miles rountrip

Saturday, Aug. 29, Schley Mountain - Easy, 4 miles roundtrip