Grizzly Basin Trail 409 Seeley Lake, Montana

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Trail information sign - seeleylakelife.com

Map of the general area around Morrell Falls and the Grizzly Basin

Overview-General area map around Morrell Falls & Grizzly Basin Trail #409

Closeup map of Grizzly Basin Trail #409

Closeup map of the area around Morrell Falls and the Grizzly Basin

Grizzly Basin Trail #409

An old hunter/trapper trail that heads 3.5 miles north into the Grizzly Basin area which is as wild as any wilderness area in the lower 48. This trail leaves the Morrell Falls Trail (30) (on its north side) less than 100 yards before the base of Morrell Falls and heads into the Swan Mountains along the east fork of Morrell Creek which has its headwaters in the Grizzly Basin. This trail is unmarked and un-maintained and can be difficult to follow. It is often blocked by fallen trees. The beginning of it is almost as steep as you can get without using hand-holds. In the first 1/4 mile, it offers exciting views of the top of lower Morrell Falls and upper Morrell Falls. Stay safe and don't take unnecessary risks. This trail offers solitude and more natural and physical challenges.

Directions: Just north of town take Cottonwood Lakes Road 447 on the right of Hwy 83. Drive 1.2 miles & bear left onto (road 4353). Travel about 5.7 miles & turn right on road 4381 to Morrell Falls and Pyramid Pass. Shortly after, turn left on road 4364. Follow the sign to Morrell Falls trailhead. Take the Morrell Falls Trail (30) to about 100 yards short of the base of Morrell Falls to the start of the Grizzly Basin Trail (409) (unmarked). The trail goes 3.5 miles farther to the end in Grizzly Basin. The trail is fairly rugged and not well marked from what I understand.

Trail elevation: approximately 6,500 ft.
Total distance from Morrell Falls trailhead: about 6 miles

Click on pictures for larger images.

Grizzly Basin (July 2006) by Montana Backpacker

Grizzly Basin July 2006

Grizzly Basin July 2006

View of Morrell Falls and the Grizzly Basin Trail route heading northeast between the slopes of Matt mountain on the left and Crescent mountain on the right as seen from FR 4343 on 5/29/17 near Seeley Lake Montana.

Grizzly basin trail (409) blocked by fallen trees about 100 feet up from its beginning near the end of Morrell Falls Trail (30). 5/20/17

Large tree recently fell across the start of the Grizzly Basin Trail making passage difficult. This can be seen from the Morrell Falls Trail near Morrell Falls. The trail is going up the left side of the picture. This is also the trail to the top of Morrell Falls. Photo taken on 6/11/17.

View of Morrell Falls and the Grizzly Basin Trail route heading northeast between the slopes of Matt mountain on the left and Crescent mountain on the right as seen from FR 4343 on 5/29/17

Grizzly basin trail #409 blocked by fallen trees about 100 feet up from its beginning near the end of Morrell Falls Trail #30 as it climbs up to the right. 5/20/17. Picture taken from eye level. This trail is almost as steep as you can get without using your hands! Be prepared! Photo taken on 5/20/17.

Large tree recently (within the last week or two) fell across the start of the Grizzly Basin Trail making passage difficult. This can be seen from the Morrell Falls Trail near Morrell Falls. The trail is going up the left side of the picture. This is also the trail to the top of Morrell Falls. Photo taken on 6/11/17.


Beginning of The Grizzly Basin Trail (409) as it leaves off the north edge of Morrell Falls Trail (30) less than 100 yards from the end at Morrell Falls.	Beginning of The Grizzly Basin Trail (409) as it leaves off the north edge of Morrell Falls Trail (30) less than 100 yards from the end at Morrell Falls.	Fallen tree across the top of lower Morrell Falls	Upper Morrell Falls as seen from above lower Morrell Falls