Bozeman Montana Rock Climbing & Mountaineering

Climbing in the Gallatin National Forest near Bozeman, Montana offers some of the greatest adventures. Find access to trails in the Absaroka, Gallatin and Crazy Mountain Ranges.

Climbing

The following trails in the Gallatin National Forest offer climbing access:

ABSAROKA MOUNTAIN RANGE

South Fork Six Mile -
10 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation 6000' - 9654'
Access road - Daily Lake Road
Conditions - Fair, boggy near creek
Must hike in 3 miles on private road to reach trailhead or get owner's permission. Well graded, good backpacking trail, though not well marked near pass. Wildlife.

Elephanthead -
4 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation 6080' - 9160'
Access road - Mission Creek Road through 63 Ranch
Conditions - Good; boggy in spots near pass.
High-clearance 2W drive access through private land; follows Mission Creek, connects with FS #45 - Blacktail Creek. Excellent view of the area throughout; alpine meadows. Elephanthead climable without equipment.

Suce Creek / Baldy Basin -
9 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation - W 5400'- 8400' E 6080'- 8400'
Access road - West Baldy/East Baldy Divide East Mission Creek Trailhead
Conditions - Fair to Poor especially at the pass
The west side initially follows an old Jeep road, and at a later point parallels a water pipe; some cattle grazing; steep up to the pass. Forms a loop with FS #37 & #45.

Pine Creek -
5 miles in length.
Heavy use
Elevation - 5626'- 9032'
Access road - Pine Creek Campground
Conditions - Good; several rocky areas
Very scenic trail ending at an alpine lake (fishing), glacial basin. Steep, allow 4-5 hours with back- pack. Pine Creek Falls are located 1 mile up the trait for a shorter hike.

Elbow Lake -
6 1/2 miles in length.
Medium use
Elevation - 6000'- 8630'
Access road - 1 1/2 mile up Trail 51 (total from #51 trailhead=8 miles)
Conditions - Good, rocky and boggy near lake
A lot of variation -meadows, creeks, views of surrounding mountains; ending in a high mountain lake (fishing) dominated by Mt. Cowan. Scenic! Trail climbs to 8500' twice. Access for climbing Mt. Cowan.

Mill Creek -
4 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation - 6500'- 8000'
Access road - Lambert Creek on logging roads at the end of Mill Creek Road
Conditions - Poor to Fair
Follows old logging road first mile. Bring topo. Old section of trail leads from bridge at the end of Mill Creek Road and beginning of logging roads. Leads to Crow Mountain.

Wallace Creek -
8 miles in length.
Heavy use
Elevation - 6000'- 9769'
Access road - Mill Creek Road {Passage Falls)
Conditions - Good, rocky near pass
Good grade though steep at pass. Heavy use by outfitters to reach Grizzly Creek. Follows creek and opens into beautiful alpine country. Falls are located on a side-branch into private land.

North Fork Six Mile -
10 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation - 6000'-9654'
Access road - Daily Lake Road
Conditions - Fair
Three mile hike to trailhead, then follows an old jeep road for awhile. Not well maintained and crosses creek several times.

West Fork Mill Creek to Monitor -
9 miles in length.
Heavy to Light use
Elevation - 6400'- 9654'
Access road - West Fork Mill Creek Road
Conditions - Poor to good. Many boggy spots first 3 miles
Horse travel (heavy) to Thompson Lake turn off; light after that. Lonesome Pond (fishing) and beautiful alpine meadows near Monitor.

Emigrant Gulch -
5 miles in length.
Medium use
Elevation - 6000'-8000'
Access road - Chico
Conditions - Good
4W-drive road first 3 miles. (Not wilderness). Many mining roads branching off.

Moose Park -
6 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation - 7250'-8500'
Access road - 1 mile up FS #55
Conditions - Fair but boggy
Though access is poor because #55 is so poorly marked, It does connect with #54 and #51. Also provides a route to the pyramid.

GALLATIN MOUNTAIN RANGE

Gallatin Divide, Devil's Backbone -
27 miles in length.
Medium use
Elevation - 8800'- 10,300'
Access road - The top of most Gallatin Range trails
Conditions - Fair, trail is mostly un-marked
Extremely beautiful; alpine meadows and ridge top views. Dangerous for horse travel between Cliff Creek and Hyalite. Rocky! Exposed to lightning. Carry Water.

Rock Creek -
6 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation - 6800'-9300'
Access road - Rock Creek Road
Conditions - Fair
Scenic upper and lower meadows. Used heavily by hunters in the fall.

CRAZY MOUNTAIN RANGE

Grasshopper Glacier -
5 miles in length.
Heavy use
Elevation - 6800'- 8800'
Access road - Cottonwood Creek Road
Conditions - Good, boggy in meadows
First half is a private-use road. The trail leads via several steep climbs to an alpine lake and glaciated basin. Good day hike connects with FS #268.

Smeller Lake -
2 1/2 miles in length.
Medium use
Elevation - 7000'-9884'
Access road - 7 miles up FS #270
Conditions - Fair
Beautiful stream, lake, basin, and meadows (though the trail is easily lost here). Steep. Last mile not recommended for horses. Good back country trail.

South Fork Shields and Lowline -
9 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation - 6800'- 8000'
Access road - Porcupine Road and Station
Conditions - Fair, easily lost in meadow
Rangeland and grazing. Indistinct at the beginning. One access to FS #273

Trespass Creek -
5 miles in length.
Heavy use
Elevation - 6800'-8600'
Access road - Cottonwood Creek Road (1 mile private-use road)
Conditions - Fair
Easy grade through scenic meadows and forest. Leads to Campfire Lake trail. No cars on private-use road.

Rock Creek North -
10 miles in length.
Light use
Elevation - 6800'. 8775'
Access road - Call Forest Service Office
Conditions - Fair
Very scenic waterfalls, meadows and lake. Some steep grades and several stream crossings.

Sunlight -
3 miles in length.
Medium use
Elevation - 7000'. 9280' Lake is 8961'
Access road - Call Forest Service Office
Conditions - Fair, rocky near pass
Ascends ridge and drops into alpine lake and basin. Beautiful views throughout. Loose and steep at pass. Connects to North Fork Sweetgrass Trail (Big Timber).

For more details contact:

Bozeman Ranger District
3710 East Fallon St.
Bozeman MT 59718
406-522 2520

Livingston Ranger District
5242 Highway 89 South
Livingston, MT 59047
406-222-1892

Gardiner Ranger District
PO Box 5; Highway 89
Gardiner, MT 59030
406-848-7375