Summit #7845 is a good hike through the 2021 Trail Creek wildland fire. The trail signed Ruby-May Creek #3102 was in great shape and being cleared by a Montana Conservation Corps crew during the activation. There are some good views of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness summits along the trail.
Caution: this trail and the summit have elevated snag hazard due to recent wildland fires.
There is an unburned clump of larger lodgepole pine within the activation zone, eastside, for hanging wire antennas. This small, unburned area just short of the summit is also better refuge from the snag hazard. The actual summit is either burned forest or dense young lodgepole pine saplings with snags from an older wildland fire. Thousands of lodgepole pine seedlings per acre on the burned area will make this a dense forest again in 20-30 years.
Hike Miles: 5.5 round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1600’
Water: Self-filter at May Creek Campground. None along the trail.
Bear Spray: Recommended for all Montana summit hikes.
Hazards: Falling snags especially on windy days.
Camping: May Creek Campground has good campsites at the trailhead with fire pits, tables and vault toilets.
Map: US Forest Service, Wisdom Ranger District.
Directions: South of Darby, MT on Highway 93 at Lost Trail Pass, travel east on Highway #36 for 9.25 miles to the May Creek Campground exit south. The trailhead is at the southeast edge of this campground. Common courtesy suggests only parking at the designated camping sites if you intend to camp. Camping fees required. Ample free parking is available on the southwest edge of the campground.
