Beneath the Big Sky Tour
Trip Highlights
Experience the dramatic story of Glacial Lake Missoula on this immersive two-day, Missoula-based geology tour. Explore the landscapes shaped by the powerful Ice Age floods as you visit key sites, from rugged canyon walls and wave-cut benches to giant current ripples that reveal the scale of this ancient lake. Guided by knowledgeable naturalists, you’ll learn how cataclysmic outburst floods reshaped the Pacific Northwest and left behind the striking features visible today. With scenic drives, moderate walks, and plenty of hands-on interpretation, this tour offers an engaging blend of science, history, and Montana beauty—perfect for curious travelers, geology enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to understand the forces that shaped this region.
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Detailed and nuanced storytelling from expert guides
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Small, intimate group size
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Explore numerous field sites with immersive geological and ecological interpretation
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Charming small town stops and local Montana dining
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Iconic Montana features - from glacially carved peaks and wildflower filled meadows, to meandering rivers and breathtaking alpine lakes
Trip Details
Trip Starts
Missoula, Montana
Trip Ends
Missoula, Montana
Trip Length
2 days, 1 night
Trip Type
Hotel based hiking tour
Group Size
4-12 Guests
Activity Level
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Difficulty
Overall difficulty is very easy.
Transportation
Our daily travel is by van. We will have frequent van entries and exits depending on wildlife and scenery.
Terrain
Hikes range from a couple hundred yards to two miles. Maximum elevation gain is 500 feet.
Weather
Montana's weather is highly variable. Day temps can range from 30-90° F. Overnight temps can drop below freezing, depending on season and elevation.
Trip Pace
We will visit 4-5 locations per day.
Accessibility
This itinerary is not suitable for individuals requiring the use of canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Missoula Valley Basin & Ice-Age Sediments
Begin the tour in Missoula with an introduction to the scale and story of Glacial Lake Missoula before heading west toward the Ninemile valley. Your first stop is the Ninemile Rhythmites, beautifully preserved layers of Ice Age lake sediments that reveal the repeated filling and draining cycles of the lake. Continue to Little Money Gulch, where thick valley-fill deposits illustrate how massive outburst floods reshaped entire drainages.
From there, travel north to the Ninepipes Pingo Scars—fossilized remnants of Ice Age permafrost features that offer a rare glimpse into the colder climate that once dominated this landscape. The afternoon is spent examining classic Lake Missoula Strandlines, the wave-cut shorelines etched high on surrounding hillsides, showing just how deep the glacial lake once stood. Return to Missoula for the evening.
Day 2 - Western Valley Flood Features & Cataclysmic Landscapes
Head northwest into the Lower Clark Fork drainage, starting at the Sloan Bridge Sediments, where thickly layered flood and lacustrine deposits reveal the immense hydraulic forces at play. Continue to the dramatic Eddy Narrows, a constricted bedrock pinchpoint that once influenced water flow and contributed to regional flood dynamics.
Further upriver, explore the impressive Thompson Falls Cataract, an ancient, oversized dry waterfall carved by catastrophic Ice Age flooding. Stop at the St. Regis Overlook, a sweeping viewpoint where the full scale of the former lake basin becomes strikingly visible. In the afternoon, travel to the Camas Prairie Ripples, one of the world’s best displays of giant current ripples—massive, wave-like gravel forms created by outburst floods racing across the prairie at freeway speeds. Conclude the day at Dog Lake, where shoreline features and lake sediments offer a peaceful final look at the story of Glacial Lake Missoula before returning to Missoula.
Accomodations
LOGE Missoula
Located in the heart of Downtown Missoula, LOGE is the ideal basecamp for those adventuring into the scenic beauty of the Rockies.
Delicious Meals
We serve locally sourced fare—think Montana bison, seasonal produce, wild-berry desserts—and also highlight Missoula’s culinary diversity, from Mexican dishes to Thai curries and Indian, Italian, and Japanese specialties.
What's Included
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Two nights of lodging in Missoula
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel
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Drinking water, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages
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Entrance fees and permits
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Emergency equipment (first aid kit and Garmin InReach)
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Binoculars and spotting scopes
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Expert guides with years of wilderness, hiking, and interpretation experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading outdoor adventures
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A small, locally sourced gift (each one is different!)
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All meals
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Bear spray canisters
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Geology tools
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Trekking poles
What's Not Included
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Water bottles, headlamp, and flashlight
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Clothing, footwear, and raingear
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Toiletries and personal items
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Guide Gratuity (industry standard is 10-20% of trip cost)
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Alcoholic Beverages
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Airport transportation
Trip Dates
Start | End | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
May 28, 2026 | May 29, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
October 1, 2026 | October 2, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
September 17, 2026 | September 18, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
September 3, 2026 | September 4, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
June 11, 2026 | June 12, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
July 9, 2026 | July 10, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
July 23, 2026 | July 24, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
August 6, 2026 | August 7, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
August 20, 2026 | August 21, 2026 | Available | $1100 |
Logistics & FAQS
Where do we meet?
We will meet at the LOGE Hotel at 8am in the lobby on Day 1 of your tour.
When do we Start/End?
This trip begins at 8am on Day 1 and ends around 5pm on Day 2. We recommend you do not plan any travel accommodations for the last night of the tour.
Travel Details
This tour begins and ends in Missoula, Montana. Missoula has a regional airport with several carriers providing direct flights to major US cities.
Safety
Safety is our utmost priority. All of our tours are led by professional guides who are all Wilderness First Responders or EMT's. Our guides have extensive guiding and wilderness experience and comply with standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident. Each tour will have both an extensive first aid kit and a satellite communication device. Please feel free to email info@northskyadventures.com if you have any questions.
Group Size
By design, we keep our tours to a size of 4-12. This allows for a more intimate experience and ensures everyone is getting the most out of their trip.
Are there Age Restrictions?
We have a minimum age of 12 for our scheduled tours. For private tours the minimum age is 5.