Hiking
About every 15 miles along the Bitterroot Range there is a new canyon with a lush creek bottom, soaring granite walls and a lake near the end of the trail, each one with its own flavor. There are trails that lead to overlooks for these impressive canyons, trails to lakes and waterfalls, trails that meander along the creek rushes dotted with huckleberries, ferns, and wildflowers.
Baker Lake
Relatively steep but easy and quick access to Baker Lake, mainly used by day hikers and hunters, not recommended for stock use. This trail is not well defined, but the lake can be reached with adequate map reading. Depending on the route one chooses, openings along the trail offer excellent views of Trapper peak and the Bitterroot Valley. Length: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate Use: Heavy |
Bear Creek Overlook Trail
The overlook of Bear Creek Canyon is absolutely stunning. You can see it in a little less than 3 miles out and back. A long drive up the mountain gains you some altitude. Length: 4.7 miles Difficulty: Moderate Use: Moderate |
Blodgett Canyon Trail
A classic Bitterroot hike just outside of Hamilton. Follow Blodgett Creek into a canyon with views of spectacular cliffs and spires. The trail is well-maintained with a mild elevation gain. Hikers that make it back 3.5 miles are rewarded with a waterfall. Length: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Easy Use: Moderate |
Blodgett Canyon Overlook Trail
The Blodgett Overlook Trail begins 100 feet up the Canyon Creek Trail and climbs to the north. The hike is fairly easy and provides an excellent view of Blodgett Canyon and looks into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Excellent short hike for any age. Caution is advised at the trails end due to steep cliffs at the overlook. Length: 3 miles Difficulty: Moderate Use: Heavy |
Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area
A winter range for elk that offers hiking, biking and horseback riding along the foothills of the Sapphire Mountains just east of Corvallis. Set out in search of an elk herd in the grasslands and ponderosa pine forests or watch for songbirds and raptors. The Wildlife Management Area is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Open April 15 - December 2 with restrictions in certain times of the year such as calving season. Hunting is allowed, check with Montana FWP for details. No dogs allowed from October 15 - May 14. Length: 6.5 miles Difficulty: Easy Use: Moderate |
Camas Lake Trail
There are few lakes in the Bitterroot Mountain Range as accessible as Camas Lake. While many lakes require 8-10 miles to reach, this one can be done in less than 3 miles. The trail shows a variety of wildflowers in early summer and offers a scenic view of the Bitterroot Valley. It is a moderate climb to the lake at about 5.4 miles out and back. The beginning of the trail winds around the mountain before entering the canyon in a shaded wood and then crossing Camas Creek on a footbridge. The pyramidal Camas Peak rises beyond the lake and there are two upper lakes as well. The trail to Kidney Lake is not well marked but veers off to the left before reaching Camas lake. Length: 4.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate Use: Light |
Canyon Creek Trail
The landscape changes as your hike along the Canyon Creek bottom up to a waterfall and eventually ending at a spectacular lake. At 11 miles out and back to the lake with nearly 3,500 ft in elevation makes for a fairly moderate endeavor but the payoff is quite spectacular. Length: 11 miles Difficulty: Difficult Use: Light |
Coyote Coulee
A favorite trail of locals on horseback, mountain bike or foot. Two loops of trail, Hayes Creek and Brown Jug, make a figure eight they wander through forest, meadows, aspens, and creek crossings with a slight elevation gains and drop of 1500 feet. The first loop is 4 miles and the second 2.6 with a mile of trail connecting them making the total 8.8 miles. Abundant wildlife also makes the area popular with hunters, so make sure to wear orange in the fall season. Length: 8.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate Use: Moderate |
Kootenai Creek Trail
An excellent day hike following the scenic Kootenai Creek. Cascades, small waterfalls, whitewater, clear pools and granite canyon walls are some of the features along this scenic trail. There is a popular rock climbing section near the bottom of the trail. Hikers can choose their out and back distance as the entire section is rewarding. The Kootenai lakes are 9 miles in. Length: 1-18 miles Difficulty: Moderate Use: Moderate |
Lake Como Loop Trail
Hike along a large mountain lake with a fabulous view of Como Peaks. This trail stays nice and level and even starts with short paved section. At the inlet, see the cascades often called the waterfall, to here and back makes a trip of around 6 miles. The entire loop around the lake is about 7 miles. Length: 7 miles Difficulty: Easy Use: Moderate |
Mill Creek Trail
This is a nice, easy day hike with great views of the Bitterroots and a rewarding waterfall spot to have a picnic and relax. Length: 11 miles Difficulty: Moderate Use: Moderate |
Sawtooth Creek Trail
Starting from Roaring Lion and winding around Goat Mountain the trail is littered with wildflowers, huckleberries, and the rare Western Red Cedar. The trail crosses private property on Goat Mountain before entering Sawtooth Canyon where the trail begins to follow the creek. Views of the canyon walls continually improve as you hike. Length: 22.3 miles Difficulty: Moderate Use: Light |
Soft Rock Trail (Chaffin Butte)
Located on several acres of state lands just east of Corvallis, Montana is the Soft Rock area. From here you can hike to the `C`, also known as Chaffin Butte. The area has many mountain bike trails and gullies including a free ride down hill course with jumps and berms. Length: 1.8 miles Difficulty: Difficult Use: Moderate |
Trapper Peak
The highest peak in the Bitterroot Mountain Range, Trapper Peak is an awesome granite spire towering over the Bitterroot Valley. At 10,157 feet, views from the top of rocky ridges and the valley below are quite spectacular.July and August are the best time of year as snow covers much of the trail before July. Length: 8 miles Difficulty: Difficult Use: Moderate |
