Conditions are updated frequently and change nearly daily...
These are just some generals we know for sure.
SCROLL DOWN TO SIGN UP FOR THE EMAIL TRAIL REPORTS!
Aug 4, 2023:
QUICK UPDATES/ ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sylvan Peak's Shop hours are 7AM to 7PM daily, so feel free to stop by or call for trail questions anytime!
Chilly wet weather forecasted for the weekend - so plan your camping and backcountry adventures accordingly. Flash flood warnings possible with heavy rains. Possible freezing temps and snow in the high elevations. Pack warm clothing and good rain gear.
Sheridan/ Rattin Campgrounds are both closed to tent camping. Hard sided campers only due to Grizzly Bear Activity.
Numerous accounts of bears getting into cars, houses, and garbage dumpsters in the area. Make sure doors are locked and garbage cans latched or locked.
Glacier Lake Road/ Main Fork Road under construction with closures: Effective Immediately
Weekday Closure Schedule:
8am-12pm Closed
12pm-1pm Open
1pm- 5pm Closed.
No closure on Weekends, but still ongoing construction. This will be ongoing for a few months. Open water crossings still exist - high clearance vehicle and no trailers suggested.
Bears and Moose are very active in all areas - carry bear spray and know how to use it. Keep a very clean camp, store food properly.
Stillwater Road to the campground is open as of July 1. Visitors can enjoy the Woodbine Campground, West Fork Stillwater, Initial Creek Campground, West Fork Stillwater Trailhead, Initial Creek Trail, Rabbit Gulch Trail, and Horseman Flats. Stillwater/Sioux Charley Trailhead is not yet repaired, so hikers will need to park further down the road and walk through the trailhead area. The trail through the gorge is not accessible, hikers will take the stock trail from the trailhead to connect with Sioux Charley trail.
West Fork Road:
Gate is open, bridge is in place, and road is open to the West Fork/Senia trailhead. Road is rough still, so high clearance vehicle suggested.
Basin trail is open and hike able, Upper and Lower Basin Lakes are free of snow. Basin Campground and Cascade Campgrounds are open. Lots of moose and bear activity in the valley - keep a clean camp and always carry bear spray. Parking lot is very busy during peak hours.
West Fork Trail - A few good water crossings at Quinnebaugh and above - you'll get your feet wet. Mosquitoes.. yep, they are there in force. Quinnebaugh meadows is buggy. Trail is in good shape, with minimal snow over switchbacks. Keep dogs under control due to multiple momma/baby moose pairs.
Timberline Trail
Bridge over Gertrude creek is in place. Mosquitos are in force.. Moose, wolverine sighting, bear activity. Parking lot is usually very full, and extra parking is challenging due to road repair and flooding last summer.Silver Run Trails:
Silver Run loops are in good shape.. There is lots of activity with forest thinning, as the Forest Service management project for fire suppression has started. Expect changes, trees cleared, and piles of slash in the area. Slash piles are planned for winter time burning.
Silver Run Road is open to the end at the trailhead area. Trail is clear - Mosquitoes and black flies
Palisades/ Willow/ Nichols Creek Trails:
Nichols trail is great for hiking and biking. Trail from top to bottom is in good condition.
Lots of bear and moose activity in the area - please ride with bear spray, and make some noise! Don't surprise the bears..
NEW TRAIL ALERT!: Connector trail now almost finished, from about 1/2 mile up Nichols, around the knob, cross Ski Run Road and connects with Palisades campground road. This connector makes a complete loop now with Nichols/Willow trails for Hiking and Biking.
Lake Fork Road:
Lots of Bear activity on Lake Fork trail - always be aware, make some noise, carry bear spray. Keep dogs leashed, to avoid bear/dog encounters. This trail is busy, and the bears are seen often, so be very aware.
Trail is good from the meadow parking area up through Lions Park to the old bridge area, and beyond to Lost Lake. Trail is muddy in places but clear to Sept Morn. Some small snow banks near sundance summit.
Lake Fork road to the trailhead is open, but remember that the trail is not accessible from the main trailhead parking lot until the bridge is rebuilt - hopefully end of summer timeframe. Its a very pretty extra mile hike from the current parking area, so please don't attempt to cross the creek at the old bridge area during the dangerous high water levels.
Beartrack Trail:
Trail is dry - Remember, the only water source is the little creek near the start of the trail.. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Silver Run road is open on the other side of the plateau, if you want to make it a point to point hike...
Line Creek Plateau:
High Creek crossing, some snow areas across the plateau. Trail at Maurice or Corral Creek are in good shape.
Bridge access to East Side Road is limited to the North Bridge (South bridge is washed out), and the road is in bad repair. Not suggested for large vehicles or trailers. South Bridge is being replaced, and will open soon.
Glacier Lake Road:
Main Fork Road, or Glacier Lake Road, is currently open to the Glacier Lake trailhead. See above for construction road closure schedule.The bridges are repaired, road damage repair is on-going. There are open water crossings on the road, which could become treacherous if rain showers cause the creek to rise suddenly. High clearance vehicle and no trailers suggested.. Multiple vehicles have had crossing issues, trailers bouncing off the hitch, oil pan holes, and flat tires.. be aware and plan time to be stopped waiting for fellow Glacier Lake road travelers with vehicle issues.
Glacier Lake trail is snow free. Bugs are bad.
Hellroaring road is open to the bridges/ creek area. No estimate of timeline on bridge repair, but it for sure won't be this summer. Not much turnaround space at the bridge area for large vehicles. Hiking and biking the road has been great.
Greenough Campground, Limberpine, Parkside Campground, and MK campground are open. Multiple dispersed camping areas are open.. MK campground and most of the dispersed campsites are beyond the open water crossings, so be aware when deciding to bring vans or big campers/ trailers up to camp.
Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway is officially open all the way to Cooke city, as of 8am Friday May 26th. Storms could still cause closures, and winter driving conditions, so check before travelling the highway. Driving conditions are good now, but be prepared for changing conditions.
Flowers are just starting to explode, and the Goats are out. Great place for a wander on the plateau.
Island Lake/ Beartooth Lake Trails: Creek crossings are high. Trails are very muddy. . Albino Lake area is snow free, and buggy. Tons of flowers!
East Rosebud:
East Rosebud road repairs are in progress, bridge is in place. No trailers, no campers, high clearance only. No water available at East Rosebud campground. No public lake access. Trail access available to Sylvan Lake trail and Phantom creek trail. No camping at trailheads or dispersed (boondock) camping available in the area. Trail repairs are in progress from East Rosebud to Rimrock. Unstable conditions, blasting continues to reconstruct the new trail. Please be respectful of private property and cabin owners around East Rosebud and along the road. Make sure you know where Private Lands are and stay on public lands.
Jimmy Joe campground is open, with access from the top or bottom, as there is a section of road washed out in the middle area.
Sand Dunes picnic areas are open for day use only.
Cooke City/East Rosebud (Also known as Beaten Path):
Cooke City side from the Clarks Fork Trailhead is in good shape - getting less muddy. Bald Knob area has a couple of solid creek crossings. Fossil Lake area has small snowbanks. Reminder, no access to East Rosebud trailhead so the point to point hike is do able as an out and back trip from the Cooke City side. Bridge at Rimrock Lake is out, lots of trail damage between Rimrock Lake and East Rosebud Lake. No legal camping at Rimrock, so best turn around spot is Rainbow Lake. Forest service is currently working on trail repairs between East Rosebud and Rimrock which includes blasting explosives, so please stay clear of the area and don't choose to try to hike to East Rosebud trailhead.
Red Lodge Creek:
Creek crossings are very high and fast - very challenging! Snow at Plateau level. Crow Lake and Sylvan Lakes are open.
Mystic Lake Trail:
Mystic Lake Trail head is accessible all the way to the trailhead on the West Rosebud Road, with the replacement of the bridge at Chicken creek. West Rosebud and Emerald Campgrounds are open.
Mystic Lake trail is dry in to the lake. Trail is very muddy and water loaded around to Huckleberry creek and on to Island Lake. The Log Jam at Island Lake washed out last summer during the floods. Crossing is now closer to Island Lake itself, walking a long sandbar.
Granite Peak:
Extreme thunderstorm warnings this weekend, so plan to summit very early and be off the mountain well before noon. Starting to be busy season on Granite, so watch for other climbers and always wear a helmet. No snow on switchbacks up to the plateau, snowfields on the plateau. There have been a handful of successful summits lately, and a handful of emergency rescue situations. Crampons, ice ace recommended. With warm temps, snow is melting quickly. Increased traffic should create more of a path across the snowbridge.
Stillwater Trail/Woodbine Campground: Stillwater road opened July 1st, with ongoing construction. Woodbine campground is open. Road access open to West Stillwater, and Initial Creek campground is open. Sioux Charley Lake trailhead area is not open for parking, but trail is accessible by parking along the road. Please dont block the roadway when parking.. allow space for cars to turn around. Its been quite the parking problem without the trailhead parking lot accessible yet. The rocky gorge trail section is washed out and not passable, but take the stock bypass trail from the trailhead, which connects to the main trail just beyond the gorge.
Beartooth Ranger District:: Please call the Beartooth Ranger District at 406-446-2103 or stop by the office in Red Lodge 8am to 4:30 pm weekdays with questions.
QUICK UPDATES/ ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sylvan Peak's Shop hours are 7AM to 7PM daily, so feel free to stop by or call for trail questions anytime!
Chilly wet weather forecasted for the weekend - so plan your camping and backcountry adventures accordingly. Flash flood warnings possible with heavy rains. Possible freezing temps and snow in the high elevations. Pack warm clothing and good rain gear.
Sheridan/ Rattin Campgrounds are both closed to tent camping. Hard sided campers only due to Grizzly Bear Activity.
Numerous accounts of bears getting into cars, houses, and garbage dumpsters in the area. Make sure doors are locked and garbage cans latched or locked.
Glacier Lake Road/ Main Fork Road under construction with closures: Effective Immediately
Weekday Closure Schedule:
8am-12pm Closed
12pm-1pm Open
1pm- 5pm Closed.
No closure on Weekends, but still ongoing construction. This will be ongoing for a few months. Open water crossings still exist - high clearance vehicle and no trailers suggested.
Bears and Moose are very active in all areas - carry bear spray and know how to use it. Keep a very clean camp, store food properly.
Stillwater Road to the campground is open as of July 1. Visitors can enjoy the Woodbine Campground, West Fork Stillwater, Initial Creek Campground, West Fork Stillwater Trailhead, Initial Creek Trail, Rabbit Gulch Trail, and Horseman Flats. Stillwater/Sioux Charley Trailhead is not yet repaired, so hikers will need to park further down the road and walk through the trailhead area. The trail through the gorge is not accessible, hikers will take the stock trail from the trailhead to connect with Sioux Charley trail.
West Fork Road:
Gate is open, bridge is in place, and road is open to the West Fork/Senia trailhead. Road is rough still, so high clearance vehicle suggested.
Basin trail is open and hike able, Upper and Lower Basin Lakes are free of snow. Basin Campground and Cascade Campgrounds are open. Lots of moose and bear activity in the valley - keep a clean camp and always carry bear spray. Parking lot is very busy during peak hours.
West Fork Trail - A few good water crossings at Quinnebaugh and above - you'll get your feet wet. Mosquitoes.. yep, they are there in force. Quinnebaugh meadows is buggy. Trail is in good shape, with minimal snow over switchbacks. Keep dogs under control due to multiple momma/baby moose pairs.
Timberline Trail
Bridge over Gertrude creek is in place. Mosquitos are in force.. Moose, wolverine sighting, bear activity. Parking lot is usually very full, and extra parking is challenging due to road repair and flooding last summer.Silver Run Trails:
Silver Run loops are in good shape.. There is lots of activity with forest thinning, as the Forest Service management project for fire suppression has started. Expect changes, trees cleared, and piles of slash in the area. Slash piles are planned for winter time burning.
Silver Run Road is open to the end at the trailhead area. Trail is clear - Mosquitoes and black flies
Palisades/ Willow/ Nichols Creek Trails:
Nichols trail is great for hiking and biking. Trail from top to bottom is in good condition.
Lots of bear and moose activity in the area - please ride with bear spray, and make some noise! Don't surprise the bears..
NEW TRAIL ALERT!: Connector trail now almost finished, from about 1/2 mile up Nichols, around the knob, cross Ski Run Road and connects with Palisades campground road. This connector makes a complete loop now with Nichols/Willow trails for Hiking and Biking.
Lake Fork Road:
Lots of Bear activity on Lake Fork trail - always be aware, make some noise, carry bear spray. Keep dogs leashed, to avoid bear/dog encounters. This trail is busy, and the bears are seen often, so be very aware.
Trail is good from the meadow parking area up through Lions Park to the old bridge area, and beyond to Lost Lake. Trail is muddy in places but clear to Sept Morn. Some small snow banks near sundance summit.
Lake Fork road to the trailhead is open, but remember that the trail is not accessible from the main trailhead parking lot until the bridge is rebuilt - hopefully end of summer timeframe. Its a very pretty extra mile hike from the current parking area, so please don't attempt to cross the creek at the old bridge area during the dangerous high water levels.
Beartrack Trail:
Trail is dry - Remember, the only water source is the little creek near the start of the trail.. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Silver Run road is open on the other side of the plateau, if you want to make it a point to point hike...
Line Creek Plateau:
High Creek crossing, some snow areas across the plateau. Trail at Maurice or Corral Creek are in good shape.
Bridge access to East Side Road is limited to the North Bridge (South bridge is washed out), and the road is in bad repair. Not suggested for large vehicles or trailers. South Bridge is being replaced, and will open soon.
Glacier Lake Road:
Main Fork Road, or Glacier Lake Road, is currently open to the Glacier Lake trailhead. See above for construction road closure schedule.The bridges are repaired, road damage repair is on-going. There are open water crossings on the road, which could become treacherous if rain showers cause the creek to rise suddenly. High clearance vehicle and no trailers suggested.. Multiple vehicles have had crossing issues, trailers bouncing off the hitch, oil pan holes, and flat tires.. be aware and plan time to be stopped waiting for fellow Glacier Lake road travelers with vehicle issues.
Glacier Lake trail is snow free. Bugs are bad.
Hellroaring road is open to the bridges/ creek area. No estimate of timeline on bridge repair, but it for sure won't be this summer. Not much turnaround space at the bridge area for large vehicles. Hiking and biking the road has been great.
Greenough Campground, Limberpine, Parkside Campground, and MK campground are open. Multiple dispersed camping areas are open.. MK campground and most of the dispersed campsites are beyond the open water crossings, so be aware when deciding to bring vans or big campers/ trailers up to camp.
Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway is officially open all the way to Cooke city, as of 8am Friday May 26th. Storms could still cause closures, and winter driving conditions, so check before travelling the highway. Driving conditions are good now, but be prepared for changing conditions.
Flowers are just starting to explode, and the Goats are out. Great place for a wander on the plateau.
Island Lake/ Beartooth Lake Trails: Creek crossings are high. Trails are very muddy. . Albino Lake area is snow free, and buggy. Tons of flowers!
East Rosebud:
East Rosebud road repairs are in progress, bridge is in place. No trailers, no campers, high clearance only. No water available at East Rosebud campground. No public lake access. Trail access available to Sylvan Lake trail and Phantom creek trail. No camping at trailheads or dispersed (boondock) camping available in the area. Trail repairs are in progress from East Rosebud to Rimrock. Unstable conditions, blasting continues to reconstruct the new trail. Please be respectful of private property and cabin owners around East Rosebud and along the road. Make sure you know where Private Lands are and stay on public lands.
Jimmy Joe campground is open, with access from the top or bottom, as there is a section of road washed out in the middle area.
Sand Dunes picnic areas are open for day use only.
Cooke City/East Rosebud (Also known as Beaten Path):
Cooke City side from the Clarks Fork Trailhead is in good shape - getting less muddy. Bald Knob area has a couple of solid creek crossings. Fossil Lake area has small snowbanks. Reminder, no access to East Rosebud trailhead so the point to point hike is do able as an out and back trip from the Cooke City side. Bridge at Rimrock Lake is out, lots of trail damage between Rimrock Lake and East Rosebud Lake. No legal camping at Rimrock, so best turn around spot is Rainbow Lake. Forest service is currently working on trail repairs between East Rosebud and Rimrock which includes blasting explosives, so please stay clear of the area and don't choose to try to hike to East Rosebud trailhead.
Red Lodge Creek:
Creek crossings are very high and fast - very challenging! Snow at Plateau level. Crow Lake and Sylvan Lakes are open.
Mystic Lake Trail:
Mystic Lake Trail head is accessible all the way to the trailhead on the West Rosebud Road, with the replacement of the bridge at Chicken creek. West Rosebud and Emerald Campgrounds are open.
Mystic Lake trail is dry in to the lake. Trail is very muddy and water loaded around to Huckleberry creek and on to Island Lake. The Log Jam at Island Lake washed out last summer during the floods. Crossing is now closer to Island Lake itself, walking a long sandbar.
Granite Peak:
Extreme thunderstorm warnings this weekend, so plan to summit very early and be off the mountain well before noon. Starting to be busy season on Granite, so watch for other climbers and always wear a helmet. No snow on switchbacks up to the plateau, snowfields on the plateau. There have been a handful of successful summits lately, and a handful of emergency rescue situations. Crampons, ice ace recommended. With warm temps, snow is melting quickly. Increased traffic should create more of a path across the snowbridge.
Stillwater Trail/Woodbine Campground: Stillwater road opened July 1st, with ongoing construction. Woodbine campground is open. Road access open to West Stillwater, and Initial Creek campground is open. Sioux Charley Lake trailhead area is not open for parking, but trail is accessible by parking along the road. Please dont block the roadway when parking.. allow space for cars to turn around. Its been quite the parking problem without the trailhead parking lot accessible yet. The rocky gorge trail section is washed out and not passable, but take the stock bypass trail from the trailhead, which connects to the main trail just beyond the gorge.
Beartooth Ranger District:: Please call the Beartooth Ranger District at 406-446-2103 or stop by the office in Red Lodge 8am to 4:30 pm weekdays with questions.
Give us a call at (406) 446-1770 if you're looking for a more current or specific trail report!
If you would like to be Emailed about Trail conditions Fill out the form below.