Conditions are updated frequently and change nearly daily...
These are just some generals we know for sure.
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Friday September 9th update and changes:
Slight changes, updates and notices. People are getting out there and enjoying what we have. Get creative, alter your plans a bit, and see someplace new!
Summary of Recent Changes:
The first hard freeze, and the first snow in the high mountains! Be prepared for cold temps and snow if you are hiking or camping.
Sept 10th is the Whistle Pig Adventure Race around the Red Lodge area. Expect to see higher trail use on the Red Lodge area trails such as Silver Run, Nichols, Palisades, Willow, Basin,, West Fork, Timberline trail areas.
Face of the Mountain: Forest Service Trail crews have made it to Gold Creek, clearing trails and adding signage. Beyond Gold Creek the trail has been destroyed by a landslide.. probably passable by an experienced hiker, but not passable by bike or horse.
Forest Service trail crews are at work this week on the Lake Abundance area, clearing a major slide and downfall area.
Cooke City/ East Rosebud trail has been cleared from Chief Joseph trailhead to Rimrock Lake. A major wind event this spring caused hundreds of trees to be down along the trail between Lake at the Falls and Rimrock. The bridge at Rimrock is still out, so access further towards East Rosebud is very very highly not recommended. There is no trailhead access at East Rosebud Lake.
West Rosebud Lake campgrounds - Now have water available at the campgrounds.
Meeteetse Trail Road: Temporary Bridge installed, providing public access to Face of the Mountain trails.
NOTICES:
1) Please be aware of public vs private lands and access. There are many reports of trespassing on private land, especially in the East Rosebud lake area. Reports of camping on cabin lawns, walking through private areas, etc.. please be knowledgeable and respectful during this time of reconstruction.
3) Both Red Lodge Fire and Rescue and Park County Search and Rescue have had a recent upswing in intense rescue situations. Please be prepared, tell someone where you are going, carry a personal location device as there is no cell coverage, and carry needed supplies. Pre plan, pack your 10 essentials, and be aware of your adventure and what you might be risking to have a SAR team come and help you.
4) Bears are active. There have been multiple sightings of both black bear and grizzly bears in most areas, so carry bear spray and know how to use it. Keep a clean camp, don't leave any food in your car at the trailhead.
The Beartooth District area around Red Lodge has a lot of closures, until bridge work and road work can get completed. Some will be quicker than others, so be aware before planning a backcountry trip.
Stop in, or call us at 406-446-1770 for specific details, or call the Beartooth Ranger district at 406-446-2103
Highway 212 is open as of 5PM on Friday July 22. There is still road construction around Beartooth lake (closure 7pm-7am Monday thru Thursday). Watch for changing road conditions as weather conditions change.
Beartooth Lake/ Island Lake: The first creek crossing at Island lake is fine, and hikers are able to hop the rocks. This area is fairly popular and busy this summer, so expect more people than normal. High Grizzly bear use area, so carry bear spray and keep a super clean camp.
Beartooth Lake Trail has a bear caution sign.. there is a carcass that is attracting bears. This was 9/4, so carcass should disappear in a few days, but be on high grizzly bear alert in this area.
Cooke City Area Hiking: Hiking/ Biking along the park entrance road has been shortened to two miles, due to the start of construction and repair of the road. They hope to have this road open by October thru the park.
Lady of the Lake Trailhead, Daisy Pass, Crazy Creek, etc.. all beautiful hiking.
Upper Stillwater trail has had some recent landslides, and lots of trail work done by Forest Service trail crews. But be aware that there are many unstable areas along this trail, and stock may get trapped if a slide happens. This is a popular area for bow hunting and area hunting permits this time of year.
Line Creek Plateau: With the Beartooth Highway open, and East Side Bridge Access open, Line Creek plateau is now fully accessible for hiking and mountain biking. Line Lake is busier than normal, so be aware of fellow hikers and mountain bikes
Face of The Mountain:
Recent trail work, from the Fire from last summer in this area. Trail crews have made it to Gold Creek, but beyond that, the trail is wiped out by a landslide. Temporary bridge access restored at Meteetsee Trail for public access.
Maurice Creek Trail: With the opening of a temporary bridge on the north end of East Side Road, the Maurice Creek trail, and Corral Creek trails are accessible. Trail crews are working on clearing some of the downfall.
West Fork Road: Road is closed to vehicles at Basin Campground. You can park, and walk up the road if you wish. Please do not walk on any bridges, as all are continuing to fall apart. Basin campground is open, but with no water. Silver Run Trails, Nichols Creek, Willow, Palisades trails are all open for hiking and biking. Hikers have been up to Timberline Lake, and to the West Fork Trailhead. The west fork trail itself has lots of trees down, and water running down the trail. High level of bear activity, both black and grizzly, in the West Fork drainage - please carry bear spray, and be aware that EMS cant easily get to you for a rescue.
Lake Fork area: Lots of bridge, road and trail damage. The trail is now accessible by parking in the large meadow below the Lions Camp (Richel Lodge area) and hiking through the Lions Camp and up the “winter” trail to the main trail head.. Trail is washed out in a few places, but washouts are easy to navigate up to Lost Lake and beyond. Bridge above Lost Lake is intact, Lots of bear activity.. carry bear spray and keep a super clean camp.
Beartrack Trail: Trail is open and hikeable, very little to no snow on the plateau. There is no water on this trail With a shuttle, it is now possible to hike the Beartrack/Silver Run area up and over.
Glacier Lake Road: Road and bridge damage. Area is closed to vehicles. Parkside campground is mostly open. It is possible to walk into Greenough Lake by parking at Parkside Campground. Glacier Lake road and Hellroaring road are walkable, but expect fast moving creek crossings with no bridges and rubble stretches where roads have washed out.
- Sheridan, Rattin, M-K and Limberpine Campgrounds closed for season. Greenough campground may open later in the season, after repairs from where Wyoming creek ran through the campground.
Red Lodge Creek Trail: Trail is open up to the plateau, Trail access to East Rosebud, or Senia Creek on West Fork is closed due to no access to those trail heads, so be prepared for an out/back trip.
East Rosebud: Please be aware of private lands vs forest service lands! There have been multiple reports of trespassing, camping on cabin lawns and porches, and walking through the East Rosebud cabins. This area, and access to the lake, is private property and under tight security due to the flooding of the valley. Please respect the homeowners....
Lots of road, bridge, trail and home damage in the valley. The road is now open to Jimmy Joe Campground, and the campground is open (with a closed section in the center). The road to East Rosebud is not accessible by vehicle, 4 wheeler or bicycle due to extreme damage. Hiking this section from Jimmy Joe to the East Rosebud trailhead is extremely dangerous, with deep and fast river crossings and 5 miles of rubble and boulders. The “Beaten Path” trail can be done as an out and back trip from the Clarks Fork trailhead, with a turnaround place of Rainbow Lake. The bridge at Rimrock is out, and trail washed out to East Rosebud from there.
"Beaten Path" - Access from Cooke City side has some water crossings, but all major bridges are intact. Fossil Lake area is large snowbanks. East Rosebud side: Large wind event this spring caused major blow down between Lake at the Falls and Rainbow.. but Forest Service trail crews have recently cleared the trail to Rimrock from Lake at the Falls. Trail is impassable beyond Rimrock, so make it a plan to turn around and head back before Rimrock.
West Rosebud: Fishtail bridge is fixed, so access to Fishtail and West Rosebud road has been restored. West Rosebud Road (#2072) is opening to West Rosebud Lake. Pine Grove and Emerald Lake campgrounds are open and water in the campground has been restored.
Mystic Lake Trail: Mystic Lake Trail head is accessible by parking at Emerald Lake, and walking the last mile to the Mystic Lake Trail head. The trail is in good shape, with a bit of water washout, to the Lake. Trail crews have recently cut out the down trees from major blowdown event earlier this spring. Around the Lake, the Huckleberry creek bridge is out, but still navigable on logs to cross. The log jam at Island Lake has washed out, but the outlet of Island is easy to wade across (knee or so deep) to keep hiking to Island an Silver Lakes above Mystic.
Granite Peak Approach from Mystic: The Mystic lake trail is in good condition, with a stretch of washout and water on the trail. The switchbacks up to the plateau are in good shape - a few trees down and a couple of washout spots and avalanche debris, but all easy to navigate on foot. Granite Peak conditions are good.. not much snow left. The Southwest Couloir is still full of ice.
Granite Season is winding down, so expect very few people. If you find gear, slings, anchors, please clean the route as it is wilderness area and no gear should be left on the mountain. Reminder: Do not use any gear that you find, do not trust anchors placed over the summer.
Granite Peak Approach via the Ramp, or SW side, shows recent large ice areas. Be prepared for ice travel.
Stillwater valley - Area is closed, due to road and bridge damage. Stillwater Road (#2400) including Woodbine campground and the Stillwater Trail head will remain closed. This includes the trail to Sioux Charley Lake. Please make sure to obey all closure signage in this area. West Fork Stillwater Road (#2846) is closed. Woodbine campground, trail head and parking lot are intact but not accessible. Woodbine Trail bridge was destroyed along with Stillwater trail parking lot.
The Cooke City side - there has been a major slide in the Avalanche lake area, so access to the Stillwater drainage from Cooke City is very challenging. Trail work is currently being done by Forest Service crews.
Boulder River - some road work being cleaned up, but road is open to the end and trails are open. Natural Bridge area is open. Lake Plateau area, accessed from Upside Down Creek from the Boulder, is opening up and will be beautiful hiking and fishing for those looking for a longer trip, or a "Beaten Path" alternative trip. Always very buggy.. and this year is no exception. The road has some washouts, and very rough travel.
Paradise Valley - All trails and forest areas open, except Mill Creek area..- Main Mill Creek at Mile Marker 14.4 (Passage Creek) and West Mill Creek on National Forest System roads only.
- Snowbank Campground - closed all season, bridge washout and Sixmile above Gold Prize closed.
Pryors: Beartooth Ranger District also includes the Pryors, for those looking for an alternative place to explore. The Big Ice Cave has recently had a new observation deck and stairway built.
Please as we head into the long holiday weekend - call the respective local ranger district to learn specific site information, conditions and questions:
Ashland Ranger District - 406-784-2344
Beartooth Ranger District -406-446-2103
Bozeman Ranger District - 406-522-2520
Gardiner Ranger District -406-848-7375
Hebgen Lake Ranger District - 406-823-6961
Sioux Ranger District -605-797-4432
Yellowstone Ranger District - 406-222-1892
Slight changes, updates and notices. People are getting out there and enjoying what we have. Get creative, alter your plans a bit, and see someplace new!
Summary of Recent Changes:
The first hard freeze, and the first snow in the high mountains! Be prepared for cold temps and snow if you are hiking or camping.
Sept 10th is the Whistle Pig Adventure Race around the Red Lodge area. Expect to see higher trail use on the Red Lodge area trails such as Silver Run, Nichols, Palisades, Willow, Basin,, West Fork, Timberline trail areas.
Face of the Mountain: Forest Service Trail crews have made it to Gold Creek, clearing trails and adding signage. Beyond Gold Creek the trail has been destroyed by a landslide.. probably passable by an experienced hiker, but not passable by bike or horse.
Forest Service trail crews are at work this week on the Lake Abundance area, clearing a major slide and downfall area.
Cooke City/ East Rosebud trail has been cleared from Chief Joseph trailhead to Rimrock Lake. A major wind event this spring caused hundreds of trees to be down along the trail between Lake at the Falls and Rimrock. The bridge at Rimrock is still out, so access further towards East Rosebud is very very highly not recommended. There is no trailhead access at East Rosebud Lake.
West Rosebud Lake campgrounds - Now have water available at the campgrounds.
Meeteetse Trail Road: Temporary Bridge installed, providing public access to Face of the Mountain trails.
NOTICES:
1) Please be aware of public vs private lands and access. There are many reports of trespassing on private land, especially in the East Rosebud lake area. Reports of camping on cabin lawns, walking through private areas, etc.. please be knowledgeable and respectful during this time of reconstruction.
3) Both Red Lodge Fire and Rescue and Park County Search and Rescue have had a recent upswing in intense rescue situations. Please be prepared, tell someone where you are going, carry a personal location device as there is no cell coverage, and carry needed supplies. Pre plan, pack your 10 essentials, and be aware of your adventure and what you might be risking to have a SAR team come and help you.
4) Bears are active. There have been multiple sightings of both black bear and grizzly bears in most areas, so carry bear spray and know how to use it. Keep a clean camp, don't leave any food in your car at the trailhead.
The Beartooth District area around Red Lodge has a lot of closures, until bridge work and road work can get completed. Some will be quicker than others, so be aware before planning a backcountry trip.
Stop in, or call us at 406-446-1770 for specific details, or call the Beartooth Ranger district at 406-446-2103
Highway 212 is open as of 5PM on Friday July 22. There is still road construction around Beartooth lake (closure 7pm-7am Monday thru Thursday). Watch for changing road conditions as weather conditions change.
Beartooth Lake/ Island Lake: The first creek crossing at Island lake is fine, and hikers are able to hop the rocks. This area is fairly popular and busy this summer, so expect more people than normal. High Grizzly bear use area, so carry bear spray and keep a super clean camp.
Beartooth Lake Trail has a bear caution sign.. there is a carcass that is attracting bears. This was 9/4, so carcass should disappear in a few days, but be on high grizzly bear alert in this area.
Cooke City Area Hiking: Hiking/ Biking along the park entrance road has been shortened to two miles, due to the start of construction and repair of the road. They hope to have this road open by October thru the park.
Lady of the Lake Trailhead, Daisy Pass, Crazy Creek, etc.. all beautiful hiking.
Upper Stillwater trail has had some recent landslides, and lots of trail work done by Forest Service trail crews. But be aware that there are many unstable areas along this trail, and stock may get trapped if a slide happens. This is a popular area for bow hunting and area hunting permits this time of year.
Line Creek Plateau: With the Beartooth Highway open, and East Side Bridge Access open, Line Creek plateau is now fully accessible for hiking and mountain biking. Line Lake is busier than normal, so be aware of fellow hikers and mountain bikes
Face of The Mountain:
Recent trail work, from the Fire from last summer in this area. Trail crews have made it to Gold Creek, but beyond that, the trail is wiped out by a landslide. Temporary bridge access restored at Meteetsee Trail for public access.
Maurice Creek Trail: With the opening of a temporary bridge on the north end of East Side Road, the Maurice Creek trail, and Corral Creek trails are accessible. Trail crews are working on clearing some of the downfall.
West Fork Road: Road is closed to vehicles at Basin Campground. You can park, and walk up the road if you wish. Please do not walk on any bridges, as all are continuing to fall apart. Basin campground is open, but with no water. Silver Run Trails, Nichols Creek, Willow, Palisades trails are all open for hiking and biking. Hikers have been up to Timberline Lake, and to the West Fork Trailhead. The west fork trail itself has lots of trees down, and water running down the trail. High level of bear activity, both black and grizzly, in the West Fork drainage - please carry bear spray, and be aware that EMS cant easily get to you for a rescue.
Lake Fork area: Lots of bridge, road and trail damage. The trail is now accessible by parking in the large meadow below the Lions Camp (Richel Lodge area) and hiking through the Lions Camp and up the “winter” trail to the main trail head.. Trail is washed out in a few places, but washouts are easy to navigate up to Lost Lake and beyond. Bridge above Lost Lake is intact, Lots of bear activity.. carry bear spray and keep a super clean camp.
Beartrack Trail: Trail is open and hikeable, very little to no snow on the plateau. There is no water on this trail With a shuttle, it is now possible to hike the Beartrack/Silver Run area up and over.
Glacier Lake Road: Road and bridge damage. Area is closed to vehicles. Parkside campground is mostly open. It is possible to walk into Greenough Lake by parking at Parkside Campground. Glacier Lake road and Hellroaring road are walkable, but expect fast moving creek crossings with no bridges and rubble stretches where roads have washed out.
- Sheridan, Rattin, M-K and Limberpine Campgrounds closed for season. Greenough campground may open later in the season, after repairs from where Wyoming creek ran through the campground.
Red Lodge Creek Trail: Trail is open up to the plateau, Trail access to East Rosebud, or Senia Creek on West Fork is closed due to no access to those trail heads, so be prepared for an out/back trip.
East Rosebud: Please be aware of private lands vs forest service lands! There have been multiple reports of trespassing, camping on cabin lawns and porches, and walking through the East Rosebud cabins. This area, and access to the lake, is private property and under tight security due to the flooding of the valley. Please respect the homeowners....
Lots of road, bridge, trail and home damage in the valley. The road is now open to Jimmy Joe Campground, and the campground is open (with a closed section in the center). The road to East Rosebud is not accessible by vehicle, 4 wheeler or bicycle due to extreme damage. Hiking this section from Jimmy Joe to the East Rosebud trailhead is extremely dangerous, with deep and fast river crossings and 5 miles of rubble and boulders. The “Beaten Path” trail can be done as an out and back trip from the Clarks Fork trailhead, with a turnaround place of Rainbow Lake. The bridge at Rimrock is out, and trail washed out to East Rosebud from there.
"Beaten Path" - Access from Cooke City side has some water crossings, but all major bridges are intact. Fossil Lake area is large snowbanks. East Rosebud side: Large wind event this spring caused major blow down between Lake at the Falls and Rainbow.. but Forest Service trail crews have recently cleared the trail to Rimrock from Lake at the Falls. Trail is impassable beyond Rimrock, so make it a plan to turn around and head back before Rimrock.
West Rosebud: Fishtail bridge is fixed, so access to Fishtail and West Rosebud road has been restored. West Rosebud Road (#2072) is opening to West Rosebud Lake. Pine Grove and Emerald Lake campgrounds are open and water in the campground has been restored.
Mystic Lake Trail: Mystic Lake Trail head is accessible by parking at Emerald Lake, and walking the last mile to the Mystic Lake Trail head. The trail is in good shape, with a bit of water washout, to the Lake. Trail crews have recently cut out the down trees from major blowdown event earlier this spring. Around the Lake, the Huckleberry creek bridge is out, but still navigable on logs to cross. The log jam at Island Lake has washed out, but the outlet of Island is easy to wade across (knee or so deep) to keep hiking to Island an Silver Lakes above Mystic.
Granite Peak Approach from Mystic: The Mystic lake trail is in good condition, with a stretch of washout and water on the trail. The switchbacks up to the plateau are in good shape - a few trees down and a couple of washout spots and avalanche debris, but all easy to navigate on foot. Granite Peak conditions are good.. not much snow left. The Southwest Couloir is still full of ice.
Granite Season is winding down, so expect very few people. If you find gear, slings, anchors, please clean the route as it is wilderness area and no gear should be left on the mountain. Reminder: Do not use any gear that you find, do not trust anchors placed over the summer.
Granite Peak Approach via the Ramp, or SW side, shows recent large ice areas. Be prepared for ice travel.
Stillwater valley - Area is closed, due to road and bridge damage. Stillwater Road (#2400) including Woodbine campground and the Stillwater Trail head will remain closed. This includes the trail to Sioux Charley Lake. Please make sure to obey all closure signage in this area. West Fork Stillwater Road (#2846) is closed. Woodbine campground, trail head and parking lot are intact but not accessible. Woodbine Trail bridge was destroyed along with Stillwater trail parking lot.
The Cooke City side - there has been a major slide in the Avalanche lake area, so access to the Stillwater drainage from Cooke City is very challenging. Trail work is currently being done by Forest Service crews.
Boulder River - some road work being cleaned up, but road is open to the end and trails are open. Natural Bridge area is open. Lake Plateau area, accessed from Upside Down Creek from the Boulder, is opening up and will be beautiful hiking and fishing for those looking for a longer trip, or a "Beaten Path" alternative trip. Always very buggy.. and this year is no exception. The road has some washouts, and very rough travel.
Paradise Valley - All trails and forest areas open, except Mill Creek area..- Main Mill Creek at Mile Marker 14.4 (Passage Creek) and West Mill Creek on National Forest System roads only.
- Snowbank Campground - closed all season, bridge washout and Sixmile above Gold Prize closed.
Pryors: Beartooth Ranger District also includes the Pryors, for those looking for an alternative place to explore. The Big Ice Cave has recently had a new observation deck and stairway built.
Please as we head into the long holiday weekend - call the respective local ranger district to learn specific site information, conditions and questions:
Ashland Ranger District - 406-784-2344
Beartooth Ranger District -406-446-2103
Bozeman Ranger District - 406-522-2520
Gardiner Ranger District -406-848-7375
Hebgen Lake Ranger District - 406-823-6961
Sioux Ranger District -605-797-4432
Yellowstone Ranger District - 406-222-1892
Give us a call at (406) 446-1770 if you're looking for a more current or specific trail report!
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