0.25 miles, 374 ft
Crater Mountain is a quick, but rewarding off-trail hike. The summit has nice 360-degree views, including the Scapegoat Wilderness to the North. Trailhead access is suitable for most vehicles so long as it isn’t too snowy. This would also make a nice winter summit – with an additional 2.6 miles of skiing from Stemple Pass – much of which is along the “North Meadow Loop” ski trail.
1.6 miles, 2,000 ft
Beartooth WMA – Open May 15 - December 2
This is a short, but very steep climb to a seldom visited ridge in the Beartooth Wildlife Management Area. It would be prudent to have 4wd in case if it rains, as the roads have the potential to be difficult if wet. The summit cliffs shelter growths of Kelseya Uniflora ( a special flower that is the symbol for the Montana Native Plant Society), and Moss Campion – both of which were in bloom during our activation.
5.8 miles, 3,200 ft
Beartooth WMA – Open May 15 - December 2
Directions (From Wolf Creek – North of Helena):
Drive-Up in Summer, Ski or Snowshoe up in Winter
Directions (should be drivable by mid-late June):
Very Short Hike (0.1 Miles, +144 ft.)
Directions:
From Townsend – Drive east 2.4 miles on Hwy-12
Turn left and drive North 15.6 miles on Hwy 284
Turn right and drive 6.4 miles up Confederate Gulch (Good gravel Road)
Turn left and drive 3.3 miles up FS-4161 (Good USFS dirt road – may want some clearance)
4wd + Short Hike
Directions:
Exit east from Exit 85 on I-15
Drive 4.3 miles south on Hwy-91
Turn left on Burma Road – Continue 3.1 miles
Turn left on 2-track at Chokecherry Gulch (by gravel pit)
4wd + Short Hike (0.9 Miles, +631 ft., -215 ft.)
Directions:
Exit east from Exit 85 on I-15
Drive 4.3 miles south on Hwy-91
Turn left on Burma Road – Continue 3.1 miles
Turn left on 2-track at Chokecherry Gulch (by gravel pit)
(0.2 miles, + 155 feet)
This summit is on USFS land & is covered by the Beaverhead-Deerlodge-Central map. The area is open to motorized vehicles on designated routes Dec.3 – Oct. 14.
The trailhead may be approached either from the north (Moose Creek / Maiden Rock I-15 exit), or the south (Melrose I-15 exit). The northern road has two stream crossings that could be problematic during high runoff. The road from the Melrose exit (Trapper Creek Road) is better.
(0.6 miles, + 560 feet)
This summit is on USFS land & is covered by the Beaverhead-Deerlodge-Central map. The area is open to motorized vehicles on designated routes Dec.3 – Oct. 14.