AE7AP's blog

2.9 miles, +1,500 ft, -260 ft (From Trilobite Lakes); 21.4 mile approach from Silvertip TH via Switchback Pass

2.2 miles, +1,180 ft, -380 ft (From Dean Lake); 16.9 mile approach from Silvertip TH

0.5 miles, +580 ft (From Switchback Pass); 15.4 mile approach from Silvertip TH

Kevan Mountain is located on the Continental Divide and forms the northern bulwark of the North Wall in center of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.  There is good camping at the Pentagon guard station, Dean Lake, Lake Levale, and in the valley to the north of Dean Lake.

1.7 miles, +1,260 ft, -160 ft (From Lake Levale); 18.8 mile approach from Silvertip TH

(3.6 miles, +2,400 ft, -300 ft, 7.4 mile approach)

0.7 miles, +750 feet, 5.2 mile approach

Rock Island Butte is in the southern portion of the Absoraka-Beartooth Wilderness.  We climbed it from the Chief Joseph Trailhead as part of an extended backpacking trip, but it is also reasonable to climb it as a day-hike.  If camping overnight, there is an excellent isolated campsite on the south side of Widewater Lake near where the trail dips closest to the lake.  There are also numerous campsites in the Widewater-Big Moose area.

Gem Peak is a drive-up with a fire lookout at the top that is available to rent.  This is an L-4 type lookout on top of a 30-foot tower that was constructed in 1964.  The road up is suitable for most vehicles, so long as they have a bit of clearance.  The road is gated just below the summit & it is likely that the lookout is being used if the gate is closed.

(2.8 miles, +2,200 feet)

Haystack Mountain is a nice hike up a well-maintained trail.  The summit is a large rockpile that has the scattered remains of an old fire lookout (“L-4” type lookout constructed in 1936 & destroyed on 1977).  Although there is room to setup on the summit rockpile, there is a more comfortable flat area about 20-feet below the summit that is well within the activation zone.  The trail may be accessed as follows:

(1.4 miles, +2,000 feet)