Conditions are updated frequently and change nearly daily...
These are just some generals we know for sure.
July 26, 2024
QUICK UPDATES/ ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sylvan Peak Shop hours are 7AM to 7PM.
High Fire Danger, Red Flag warnings in effect. Please make certain all campfires are completely put out and cool to the touch (don't assume its good, douse it again..) All dispersed campers must have their own bucket/shovel for this purpose, and be self sufficient with water source, garbage and bathroom facilities such as a toilet system or wag bags. Please keep the woods fire safe and garbage free!!
Multiple bear break-ins have been reported lately - vehicles and houses. Keep car doors locked. Keep lower windows of houses closed especially in kitchen areas near food sources. Clean and put away bbq grills, pick fruit off fruit trees right away. Keep things clean!
East Rosebud Trail is under construction. It is highly suggested to stay away until Forest Service can complete the trail rebuild, which includes blasting and trail closures. Blasting schedule includes Monday the 29th of July for the following 10 days.. There isn't much room for overnight camping at Elk Lake (large base camp for trail workers is using one of the only legal spaces) and the trail beyond is rubble and under development. Bridge is out at Rimrock, and not crossable. There are plenty of other trails.. please give it some time. Search for missing hiker has ended and body has been retrieved. Don't be the next one.
Mosquitos are starting their season in force.. Make sure to pack bug spray, head nets in the high country. If you are prepared, you'll be fine!
Red Lodge Mountain Summer Operations and Disc Golf Course! The Stashe Express will run 10am to 5PM on Fri Sat Sunday. No bikes on the lift, but trails are accessible for hiking and biking.
Nichols Trail is closed - Forest Service has large equipment working to replace culverts, road work etc. Both trailheads, from the top and the bottom are barricaded. Please stay away and let them get their work done..
Red Lodge Bike Center!
Newish location in Old Roosevelt Building. Visit our shop during our hours (Tuesday 9am-12, Thursday 4-6pm), chat with a volunteer about available bikes, make a donation, and ride off with your newly tuned bike!
West Fork Road- Basin trail is hike able to both lakes. Watch for multi use users - includes Mountain bikes and horses..
Main trail to Quinnebaugh meadows is good to hike.. Creek crossing at Quinnebaugh is about knee deep. Trail is muddy, and a couple creek crossings to the Sundance Bridge. There are still snow banks over Sundance pass on the switchbacks to Sept Morn Lake, but its totally do able.
Gertrude/Timberline Lakes:
Trail to Gertrude is snow free and in good shape. One snowbank between Gertrude and Timberline, and a couple of creek crossings requiring wet feet. Bear activity - carry bear spray at all times. Large bull moose hanging out at Timberline Lake
Silver Run Trails:
Trails are in great shape for hiking and biking. Lots of Moose sightings, some mommas with brand new babies, so leash your dogs!
Beartrack Trail:
Reminder, your only water source is the first creek, not far from the trailhead. Trail is do-able over the top to Silver Run with a few snow banks.
Nichols Creek Trails:
Nichols trail will be closed for a while- lots of repairs being worked on with large equipment replacing culverts, road work etc... Please stay away and let them get their work done . If you have questions about the Nichols trail project, please stop at the Forest Service office and ask questions. They are happy to help out.
Palisades Trail:
Great hiking conditions - Tons of flowers in the meadow! Carry bear spray. As if July 1, Dogs are allowed on Palisades trail
Lake Fork Trail:
Short snow stretches over Sundance pass and the switchbacks still. Trailhead bridge is in place. Moose hanging out on the trail, not budging and charging when challenged. Leash dogs, don't try to get the moose to move off the trail, it will charge you
Black Canyon is ice free, Keyser Brown is starting in to the normal stout bug season.
Beartooth/Island Lake
Mosquitos are out in force!
Beartooth Lake/Island Lake campgrounds opened June 28th.
Trails from both lakes are muddy, some creek crossings require getting your feet wet. Grizzlies have been sighted in the area, carry bear spray
Most high elevation lakes are ice free.
Glacier Lake Road:
Glacier Lake road is back open, with a temporary repair of the culvert at Hellroaring creeks. One way traffic over the repair. Please drive slow and be aware of walkers and bikes on this road. MK campground is open.
Red Lodge Creek Trail: Trail is in good shape - water crossings are challenging but do able now with lower water levels. Some short snow fields along the plateau. Crow Lake and Sylvan Lakes are very buggy.
East Rosebud:
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. Boat Ramp at East Rosebud has not been repaired yet, and is not accessible to the public for boat launch. Parking in the forest service parking lot across the road and carrying a paddle board or kayak to the lakeshore is a do-able thing, but no boat launch for bigger boats. Watch the new currents in the river here since the flood.. new boaters will get carried downstream.
Trail to Elk lake is do able, and the new trail is good. Lots of water on the trail, and multiple creek crossings. Be prepared to be wet. Very little camping at Elk Lake, so with all of the people and trail crew workers, don't plan to overnight at Elk Lake.
Trail above Elk Lake is non existent still from the flood, and Rimrock bridge is still out. Forest Service will be rebuilding this 2 mile section of trail this summer, and expecting to replace the bridge by summer of 2026. There is no stock allowed on this trail until all of these repairs are finalized. Crossing at Rimrock without the bridge is not really do-able without swimming until the water goes down enough, later in August. Trail building will be ongoing through August, with trail crew using dynamite and blasting the week of July 28 thru August 8, so be prepared for area closures due to blasting. Last week's Search and Rescue mission for a missing hiker has ended, and the body has been retrieved. Please do not try to cross at Rimrock Lake.
Cooke City to East Rosebud trail (Beaten Path) - High water crossings, some small snow banks around Fossil area. Suggested travel is to start on Cooke City Side, hike as far as you want, and turn around and come back to your vehicle. East Rosebud side is a tough trip right now, with rock travel, river bed travel, blasting closures, and Forest Service needs time and space to work on it. Rimrock Lake bridge is out, and only successful crossings have been with a packraft. There have been unsuccessful attempts of crossing, and gear lost, not to mention the lost hiker in the river. Not an option to wade.
Stillwater Trail/Woodbine Campground: 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.
Work has started replacing the trailhead and parking area from flood damage. This work is expected to finish in August. Parking for the trailhead is in the campground area, which adds about a mile to the hike.
West Rosebud/ Mystic Lake Trail:
Trail is good free to Mystic and around to Huckleberry Creek. Lots of people, so be courteous of fellow hikers and campers. Be aware of the regulations of camping 200ft from the lake, 100ft from the streams. Pick up garbage, keep a clean camp. Bears will come in later in the summer to areas like this that get trashed by people, attracted to the garbage and food left.
Granite Peak:
Climbing season has just started on Granite, and multiple commercial guided trips are summitting daily. Carry wag bags for human poop - don't dig holes anymore, as its becoming a big problem. Snow and rock travel Marmots and mountain goats have been chewing gear, so keep everything clean and picked up while you are summitting.
Face of the Mountain: Road is fine, but watch for muddy conditions if its raining. Trail is in good shape, and tons of beautiful flowers! Carry bear spray for sure.. Forest Service has been doing some trailwork, so the tread is greatly improved.
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!
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