Directions: From Clearwater Junction, travel north on Hwy 83 for 15 miles. Turn east on Cottonwood Lakes Road 477 (small green street sign says Morrell Creek). Go 1.1 miles to the Seeley Creek trailhead.
Type of ride: Dirt road. A topographic profile of the road up to the lakes is shown below.
Distance of ride: 14 miles round trip
Description: This out-and-back ride starts at the Nordic ski trail area. Ride out of the parking lot and turn left.
You will immediately see the sign for Cottonwood Lakes (Forest Service Road #477 ). Turn onto this road and follow it to the lakes.The first 4 1/2 miles is rolling but climbs gently upward. You pass the back of the Seeley airport on the right at about 1.4 miles. Views of the Swan Range can be seen intermittently. You will also pass a number of road spurs which could be used to extend the ride. This lower section of the road is fairly open and can be very hot and dusty on a mid-summer afternoon.
As you enter the drainage where the lakes sit, the grade increases sharply for about 2 miles, and then drops to the lake basin for the last 1/2 mile. The section of road is more forested and shaded. There are actually two lakes. The first one that you see is about half the size of the second lake. The second lake can be reached by a road that takes off to the right just before you reach the west end of the lake. There is also a campground with five primitive campsites and a non-surfaced boat launch at the lake.
The profile was created in TOPO, www.nationalgeographic.com/topo
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