AE7AP's blog

0.5 miles; + 687 feet

This is a pleasant hike that begins at the historic Greenstone Mine just west of Apex, MT in the foothills of the East Pioneer Mountains.

Drive-Up on a spur road from the Magruder Corridor

7.0 miles, +2,600 ft; -1,800 From Elk Mountain TH

I activated the way out from the Wylies Peak area on the final day of a 15-day backpacking trip; but the route description is the more direct route across Goat Creek.

16.2 miles, +4,300 ft; -4,200 From Elk Mountain TH

1.2 miles, +300, - 200 ft ft from Trail 562 Junction

I activated this on the 14th 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.

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.