AE7AP's blog

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. 

0.5-miles, +435 ft; from 4wd Approach

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.

5.1-miles, +1,705 ft, -963 ft; From Elk Mountain TH

I activated Bilk Mountain on Day-1 of a long backpacking trip.

It is a relatively long drive to the trailhead on good Forest Service Roads.  Most vehicles should be able to make it with no troubles, but some clearance is helpful.  This summit combines nicely with W7I/IC-172 (Green Mountain), which is a drive-up.

1.5-miles, +920 ft

Elk Mountain has a notable 2,166 feet of prominence and a pleasant trail to near the summit.

It is a relatively long drive to the trailhead on good Forest Service Roads.  Most vehicles should be able to make it with no troubles, but some clearance is helpful.  This summit combines nicely with W7I/IC-172 (Green Mountain), which is a drive-up.

18.7-miles, +5,750 ft; -1,590 ft; From N. Fork Trailhead

Evans Peak is an iconic mountain that is the 4th highest peak in Lewis and Clark County.  I activated it as the fifth summit on a multi-day backpacking trip that went up Lake Creek, down Canyon Creek, up the Dry Fork & Cabin Creek, and then down Dobrota Creek and the North Fork of the Blackfoot back to the car.  This route description is the reverse of the final leg, which is the most efficient approach.