Mission Range Ski Traverse
A traverse from Sheepshead to East Saint Marys in Montana's Mission Mountains was completed south-to-north to sample new ski runs and reach the Lake of the Stars. The trip required careful timing to take advantage of a rare single-day weather window, rewarding participants with unique descents including the east face of McDonald Peak.
The Mission Mountains are a rugged sub-range of the Rocky Mountains in northwestern Montana, with McDonald Peak standing as the highest point at 9,820 feet. The range is characterized by a unique dual-management system; the western slopes form the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness, managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, while the eastern side is the federally designated Mission Mountains Wilderness. Considered a formidable objective, the traverse from East Saint Marys Peak to McDonald Peak is a serious undertaking involving approximately 11,000 vertical feet of elevation gain. The range has a reputation for difficult access, unmarked trails, and severe, rapidly changing weather, making multi-peak linkups a significant mountaineering challenge. The area is known for its committing ski mountaineering, with steep faces and couloirs. McDonald Peak itself is considered a premier "skier's peak," offering notable descent options on all aspects. The east face, in particular, provides a classic run of over 2,000 feet down to Icefloe Lake. The Mission Mountains provide critical habitat for grizzly bears. To minimize human-wildlife conflict, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes implement an annual closure of a 12,000-acre area around McDonald Peak from mid-July through September. This closure is due to grizzly bears congregating on the high-elevation snowfields to feed on moths and ladybugs. Recreation in the western portion of the range falls under the jurisdiction of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Non-tribal members are required to purchase a tribal recreation permit to access these lands for activities including hiking and skiing.
