18.5-miles, +4,700 ft; -5,300 From Elk Mountain TH
3.5 miles, +800, - 1,500 ft ft from Trail 562 Junction
I activated this on the 13th day of a 15-day backpacking from the Elk Mountain Trailhead, via Mink Ridge & Marten Creek with a side-trip up Marten Creek to Marten Hot springs; but the route description is the more direct route across Goat Creek and along the Square Rock & Moose Ridge.
10.7-miles, +3,800 ft; -2,900 From Elk Mountain TH
1.2 miles, +1,000 ft from Trail 562 Junction
I activated this on the 12th day of a 15-day backpacking from the Elk Mountain Trailhead, via Mink Ridge & Marten Creek with a side-trip up Marten Creek to Marten Hot springs; but the route description is the more direct route across Goat Creek and along the Square Rock ridge that we took on our way out.
24.2 miles, +7,500 ft; - 6,800 From Elk Mountain TH
5.2 miles, +3,800; -500 ft from Buck Lake Creek
22-miles, +6,200 ft; - 6,500 From Elk Mountain TH
3.0 miles, +2,400 ft from Buck Lake Creek
3.5-miles, +1160 ft; From Pipestone Pass TH
This is a pleasant hike along the Continental Divide Trail that begins near the summit of Pipestone Pass (paved, and plowed). It is also a POTA “2-Fer” (Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF & CDT) if you activate within 100-feet of the CDT. It is also located on the northern edge of the historic Thompson Park area, which is a unique congressionally designated Municipal Recreation Area that includes much history related to the Milwaukee Road (Railroad).
16.8-miles, +4,979 ft; From Elk Mountain TH
I activated this on the 4th day of a 15-day backpacking from the Elk Mountain Trailhead, but other approaches such as Race Creek or Indian Hill may also offer access.
11.2-miles, +3,805 ft, -3,131 ft; From Elk Mountain TH
0.4-miles, +400 ft; From Indian Park
I activated Peak 7540 en-route between camps at Grave Meadow and Buck Lake on the 3rd day of a 15-day backpacking trip. It looked like there was likely camping and water at Indian Park also.
9.2-miles, +3,385 ft, -2,531 ft; From Elk Mountain TH
1.4-miles, +1,040 ft,-260 ft; From Grave Meadow Camp
I activated Indian Peak from a camp in Grave Meadow on Day-2 of a 15-day backpacking trip.
1.6-miles, +821 ft, -160 ft
The Devils Tower hike is a beautiful one that climbs a series of benches through open range and timber. It is nicest in the spring, before it gets too hot. The summit offers panoramic views of the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, the Helena Valley, and the surrounding mountains.