Wisherd Ridge/Lockwood point access

Wisherd ridge and Lockwood point are popular ski destinations for Missoula area skiers.  Good skiing, easy enough access, short drive, some options to snowmobile shuttle, etc.  In spring, it is possible to shorten the approach by driving up Gold Creek (Blackfoot river drainage), but the Twin creek approach is certainly the most conventional winter approach. This post is focused on the Twin Creek approach.

Wisherd powder skiing.  Third bowl.

Parking:  Parking is on Nature Conservancy (TNC) Montana Forest land.  The TNC has implemented great work to improve skier access.  The Montana Backcountry Alliance helps pay for the parking.  Thanks to both groups for their support. 

TNC has moved the gate further up the West Twin Creek road and created a small signed parking lot on their property.  It makes parking pretty straightforward - just drive to the gate and park.  As long as folks park with large vehicles in mind, there is enough room to bring a snowmobile trailer.  The parking lot is about 1,000 feet up the road from the highway. All public users should park here.

TNC, has tentatively agreed to keep the gate open from December 1 –April 1 to allow snowmobile and skier access through the gate. The gate will be signed describing the access. Snowmobile use through the gate is allowed from December 1 –April 1. There are also rootwads, boulders and such that ensure the gate is effective. Under TNC’s rules, Snowmobiles are requested to stay on the groomed/signed trails and/or on the forest road system.  Regardless of the open/closed status of the gate, backcountry skiers should just park in the parking area and either snowmobile up or start skinning.
 
In the past, folks have used the school bus parking area on the highway at Rainbow bend, which has caused conflicts with school bus use. Skiers, please don't park there.  Also, folks have parked along the West Twin creek road outside the designated parking area.  Parking along the road is technically legal but discouraged since it interferes with local residents getting to their homes.

Map showing the existing parking area and overall site. 

Provided courtesy of The Nature Conservancy. 

Access route:  The access route to Lockwood follows the road which soon switchbacks and traverses the South side of the ridge to Lockwood.  The current route passes through TNC Montana Forest land and two separate private parcels. The private landowners currently permit public access through their lands, but it is critical that all users stay on the road where it is on private land.  The TNC open lands policy can be found here.

Alternate access route: TNC has partially implemented a new access route directly up West Twin creek using old logging roads which holds a little more snow and avoids Private land.  As of 2022, the route is signed, and users can use the road prism in West Twin creek, but it is not obvious how to connect from the road in the drainage to upper Lockwood or Wisherd terrain.  It seems like the alternate access route provides a good shorter cross country ski opportunity, an alternate ski exit if one wants to extend a ski run during good snow years, or a good launching pad out to Sheep in order to do a big Sheep to Wisherd loop.  But it does not provide a superior every day ingress/egress to Lockwood.

 

Wisherd skiing.