1.7 miles, +884 ft, -47 ft; On ATV Trail
Driving Directions from Checkerboard, MT
Go east for 5.4 miles on highway 12 and turn right (south) on FS-694 at Pasture Creek. Follow FS-694 1.5 miles to the hairpin at the junction with FS-694A. Following FS-694 around the hairpin is likely the preferred choice before September-1, as this is a good road that leads to a trailhead that is near the summit ridge. The road is, however, only open for motorized use from 12/02 to 8/31. It is gated and signed just past the 2nd hairpin during the off-season. We continued straight at the 1st hairpin along Pasture Creek on FS-694A for another 2.8 miles to a trail junction and camping area that is a good parking area for full-sized vehicles. FS-694A is open to motorized use all year but will be impassable during much of the winter.
Note that Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available for free at all hours at the USFS office in White Sulphur Springs
Hiking Directions
Hike up the 4wd trail (FS-694A) 400 feet to the trail junction where ATV trail TR-620 begins. Follow TR-620 to where it intersects the full-sized vehicle road FS-694 (see above) 0.5 miles from the trailhead & turn right onto FS-694 (which is also TR-620). Follow the vehicle road 0.2 miles and turn right onto the continuation of ATV Trail TR-620. This junction is the parking area for earlier in the year when FS-694 is open to motorized use (see above). Follow TR-620 another 1.0 miles to the summit. The summit ridge is long and heavily forested with few views.
Road Conditions
FS-694 is gravel and suitable for most vehicles. FS-694A is not surfaced and is not as good as FS-694. Although it is likely suitable for Subarus or similar when dry, it has one section that is very slippery gumbo mud that can be treacherous if wet. We were glad to have a 4Runner with clearance and 4wd.
