Conditions are updated frequently and change nearly daily...
These are just some generals we know for sure.
Updates past April 21 can be found on the Summer Trail Reports link...
April 21 update and changes:
A skiff to a few inches of new wet snow in the area on Thursday night. Most roads have melted off already. Snow conditions are very wet and sloppy, and still very deep. Mornings are firm icy conditions, afternoon softens up. Standing water, huge puddles, and melting streams are also an issue when traveling dirt roads.
Red Lodge Mountain is now closed. Uphill travel is OPEN and unrestricted at your own risk. Dogs will be permitted starting Saturday, April 22.
People have asked about dry trails ready to hike, and there aren’t any quite yet. Snow depths in the area definitely still require snowshoes on all trails in the area. Be prepared for lots of snow and winter conditions when coming from other areas. It isn’t quite spring here yet…
Clarks Fork area has no snow, but still muddy. Pryors are starting to dry up..
West Fork Road:
BRTA is finished grooming for the year, but please still go use the road. Please pick up your dog poop - its becoming a nasty issue again. Coverage is deep still and will be for quite some time.Conditions are skier tracked, and hardpack variable with softer conditions once the sun hits it. Not a ton of melting this week, as temps stayed colder. A few new inches on Thurs night.
Forest Service usually opens the gate on April 15th, but there is still too much snow. Gate opening will be delayed until further notice.
Silver Run Trails:
Silver Run road and parking lot have been plowed out. Trails are well travelled. Walking would require snowshoes or ice cleats.. and softer sun warmed snow will be suncrusted and busting through for walkers so be careful! Depths of mid thigh soft snow, when you do break through.
Palisades/ Willow/ Nichols Creek Trails:
Softer snow conditions on Willow Creek trails due to less sunshine exposure. Lots of snow on Palisades!
Nichols has a skier track from top to bottom, with conditions reported as suncrusted in the sun, and soft and powdery still in the shadows.
Willow Creek has been snow shoed the length of the trail.
As of Dec 1, Palisades trail is off limits to dogs until July 1, due to wildlife habitat areas.
Tons of snow, good spring crusty conditions. Watch for obstacles under the powder if you get off the trail at all. Watch for snow sluffs and small snow slides on the side hill terrain
Lake Fork Road:
Full snow coverage. Super Deep snow.. Snowshoes or skis are recommended. Highway 212 is plowed, Parking area is plowed, so skiers can park and ski. Reminder that the summer trailhead bridge is not in place yet, and ice is melting, so be careful around the water.
Forest Service usually opens the gate on April 15th, but there is still too much snow. Gate opening delayed until further notice.
Glacier Lake Road:
Highway 212 has been plowed to the gate. Some highway plowing has started for the first mile or so along highway 212. Watch for rockfall and wet snow slides if you do decide to walk the road. Walking with ice cleats is possible around Parkside, skiing is good beyond the new bridge. Glacier lake road has snow, but also bare patches that aren't skiable. Lots of rockfall and wet slides in the valley and around Glacier Lake trailhead.
Campgrounds are a great place to go snow shoeing.
Highway is plowed, but road into Parkside campground or beyond is not plowed. Watch for snow slides and avalanche exposure. Snow is very wet and unstable, so be aware if you choose to walk highway 212.
East Rosebud: Snow report: Deep snow and drifts in the valley, massive puddles require very high clearance vehicles to navigate the county road.
Lots of road, bridge, trail and home damage in the valley. The road is 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. Timeline for the summer is uncertain, for road and trail repairs. There is massive damage in this valley, and it is going to take a lot of time....
Mystic Lake Trail: Mystic Lake Trail head is accessible all the way to the trailhead, with the replacement of the bridge at Chicken creek (as of 9/23)
Road is not plowed, so drive at your own risk after these snowfalls! Mystic Lake trail is drifted, so snowshoes are recommended. Lots of wet slides in the area , so be aware.
Stillwater Trail/Woodbine Campground: The road past the Stillwater Mine is not repaired or accessible yet, so no public access to the Trailhead or Woodbine Campground.
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.
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center
April 21 update and changes:
A skiff to a few inches of new wet snow in the area on Thursday night. Most roads have melted off already. Snow conditions are very wet and sloppy, and still very deep. Mornings are firm icy conditions, afternoon softens up. Standing water, huge puddles, and melting streams are also an issue when traveling dirt roads.
Red Lodge Mountain is now closed. Uphill travel is OPEN and unrestricted at your own risk. Dogs will be permitted starting Saturday, April 22.
People have asked about dry trails ready to hike, and there aren’t any quite yet. Snow depths in the area definitely still require snowshoes on all trails in the area. Be prepared for lots of snow and winter conditions when coming from other areas. It isn’t quite spring here yet…
Clarks Fork area has no snow, but still muddy. Pryors are starting to dry up..
West Fork Road:
BRTA is finished grooming for the year, but please still go use the road. Please pick up your dog poop - its becoming a nasty issue again. Coverage is deep still and will be for quite some time.Conditions are skier tracked, and hardpack variable with softer conditions once the sun hits it. Not a ton of melting this week, as temps stayed colder. A few new inches on Thurs night.
Forest Service usually opens the gate on April 15th, but there is still too much snow. Gate opening will be delayed until further notice.
Silver Run Trails:
Silver Run road and parking lot have been plowed out. Trails are well travelled. Walking would require snowshoes or ice cleats.. and softer sun warmed snow will be suncrusted and busting through for walkers so be careful! Depths of mid thigh soft snow, when you do break through.
Palisades/ Willow/ Nichols Creek Trails:
Softer snow conditions on Willow Creek trails due to less sunshine exposure. Lots of snow on Palisades!
Nichols has a skier track from top to bottom, with conditions reported as suncrusted in the sun, and soft and powdery still in the shadows.
Willow Creek has been snow shoed the length of the trail.
As of Dec 1, Palisades trail is off limits to dogs until July 1, due to wildlife habitat areas.
Tons of snow, good spring crusty conditions. Watch for obstacles under the powder if you get off the trail at all. Watch for snow sluffs and small snow slides on the side hill terrain
Lake Fork Road:
Full snow coverage. Super Deep snow.. Snowshoes or skis are recommended. Highway 212 is plowed, Parking area is plowed, so skiers can park and ski. Reminder that the summer trailhead bridge is not in place yet, and ice is melting, so be careful around the water.
Forest Service usually opens the gate on April 15th, but there is still too much snow. Gate opening delayed until further notice.
Glacier Lake Road:
Highway 212 has been plowed to the gate. Some highway plowing has started for the first mile or so along highway 212. Watch for rockfall and wet snow slides if you do decide to walk the road. Walking with ice cleats is possible around Parkside, skiing is good beyond the new bridge. Glacier lake road has snow, but also bare patches that aren't skiable. Lots of rockfall and wet slides in the valley and around Glacier Lake trailhead.
Campgrounds are a great place to go snow shoeing.
Highway is plowed, but road into Parkside campground or beyond is not plowed. Watch for snow slides and avalanche exposure. Snow is very wet and unstable, so be aware if you choose to walk highway 212.
East Rosebud: Snow report: Deep snow and drifts in the valley, massive puddles require very high clearance vehicles to navigate the county road.
Lots of road, bridge, trail and home damage in the valley. The road is 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. Timeline for the summer is uncertain, for road and trail repairs. There is massive damage in this valley, and it is going to take a lot of time....
Mystic Lake Trail: Mystic Lake Trail head is accessible all the way to the trailhead, with the replacement of the bridge at Chicken creek (as of 9/23)
Road is not plowed, so drive at your own risk after these snowfalls! Mystic Lake trail is drifted, so snowshoes are recommended. Lots of wet slides in the area , so be aware.
Stillwater Trail/Woodbine Campground: The road past the Stillwater Mine is not repaired or accessible yet, so no public access to the Trailhead or Woodbine Campground.
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.
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center
Give us a call at (406) 446-1770 if you're looking for a more current or specific trail report!
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If you would like to be Emailed about Trail conditions Fill out the form below.