Robert Stone - Day Hikes Around Bozeman, Montana: Including the Gallatin Canyon and Paradise Valley

Published by Day Hike Books, Inc.

P.O. Box 865 Red Lodge, Montana 59068

www.dayhikebooks.com

Distributed by National Book Network

800-462-6420

Cover photograph by Linda Stone

Design and maps by Paula Doherty

The author has made every attempt to provide accurate information in this book. However, trail routes and features may changeplease use common sense and forethought, and be mindful of your own capabilities. Let this book guide you, but be aware that each hiker assumes responsibility for their own safety. The author and publisher do not assume any responsibility for loss, damage, or injury caused through the use of this book.

Copyright 2011 by Day Hike Books, Inc.

4th Edition

ISBN: 978-1-57342-063-1

eISBN: 978-1-57342-203-1

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010928682

Cover photo:

Hyalite Reservoir from the Hood Creek Trail, Hike 48

Back cover photo:

View from the Rock Creek Trail in Paradise Valley, Hike 92

ALSO BY ROBERT STONE

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Day Hikes In Grand Teton National Park

Day Hikes In the Beartooth Mountains

Day Hikes Around Bozeman, Montana

Day Hikes Around Missoula, Montana

Day Hikes In Yosemite National Park

Day Hikes In Sequoia & Kings Canyon Natl. Parks

Day Hikes On the California Central Coast

Day Hikes On the California Southern Coast

Day Hikes Around Sonoma County

Day Hikes Around Big Sur

Day Hikes Around Monterey and Carmel

Day Hikes In San Luis Obispo County, California

Day Hikes Around Santa Barbara

Day Hikes Around Ventura County

Day Hikes Around Los Angeles

Day Hikes Around Orange County

Day Hikes In Sedona, Arizona

Day Hikes On Oahu

Day Hikes On Maui

Day Hikes On Kauai

Day Hikes In Hawaii

The author gratefully acknowledges the following people for their assistance, trail updates, and clarifications:

From the Gallatin National Forest ~ Livingston Ranger District:

Scott Laughlin

Jackie Riley

Wendi Urie

From the Gallatin National Forest ~ Bozeman Ranger District:

Jose Castro

Dan Kettman

Ted Lange at the Gallatin Valley Land Trust for his assistance and dedication to the expanding trail system in Bozeman.

Bill Olson for his hard work and devotion in the development of the Big Sky trail system.

Hiking distance: 4.6 miles round trip

Hiking time: 2.5 hours

Elevation gain: 1,200 feet

Maps: U.S.G.S. Flathead Pass

Beartooth Publishing: Bozeman, Big Sky, W. Yellowstone

Summary of hike: Flathead Pass crosses the north end of the Bridger Mountains, connecting the Gallatin Valley on the east with Bridger Canyon on the west. At the 6,922-foot pass is a beautiful alpine meadow covered in wildflowers. The stunning views from the meadow span to the surrounding peaks, Shields Valley, Gallatin Valley, and the Crazy Mountains. The trail is a forested road that hugs Pass Creek and steadily climbs past jagged rock walls and chiseled outcroppings. The narrow road can be driven, but it is rutted and rocky. It is better explored as a hiking or biking route.

Driving directions: From I-90 and the 7th Avenue overpass, drive 2 miles north on 7th Avenue (which becomes West Frontage Road) to Springhill Road. Turn right (north) and continue 19.3 miles to posted Flathead Pass Road. (En route, the pavement ends at 11.3 miles and becomes Rocky Mountain Road.) Turn right and drive 2.1 miles on the narrow dirt road to the national forest boundary. Park on the side of the road.

Hiking directions: Head east on the narrow dirt road above Johnson Canyon to the south, and enter the shaded forest. Parallel the north side of Pass Creek, steadily gaining elevation and passing unmarked side roads that veer off from the main trail. At a half mile, pass Trail 528 on the left. Walk through sloping meadows with wildflowers and tree-shaded pockets. Cross under power poles at 0.8 miles by jagged rock walls and chiseled outcroppings in a gorge. Pass through a cattle gate and climb to the open, rolling meadows to Flathead Pass by a fenceline and cattle guard. The vistas extend across Shields Valley to the Crazy Mountains in the east and the Gallatin Valley and Tobacco Root Mountains to the west. This is the turn-around spot.

To extend the hike, head north one mile up to Horse Mountain (Hike 7), or continue through the alpine meadows along the Horse Mountain Traverse (Hike 8).

Hiking distance: 8 miles round trip

Hiking time: 4 hours

Elevation gain: 2,000 feet

Maps: U.S.G.S. Flathead Pass and Sacagawea Peak

Beartooth Publishing: Bozeman, Big Sky, W. Yellowstone

Summary of hike: The headwaters of North Cottonwood Creek form at 8,700 feet on the north slope of Hardscrabble Peak. The cascading creek tumbles down the canyon en route to the Gallatin Valley. This hike steadily follows the white water up the lush canyon, passing small waterfalls and pools to a huge meadow with wildflowers. The 7,700-foot tree-rimmed meadow sits beneath the shadow of Hardscrabble Peak. En route, the trail crosses North Cottonwood Creek three times. The first mile traverses the grassy valley slope through Half Circle Ranch to the national forest boundary at the mouth of the canyon. The access is a privilege granted by the ranch, not an easement. Stay on the trail and help keep the access open.

This trail can also be hiked as an 8-mile, one-way shuttle to Fairy Lake (Hike 9).

Driving directions: From I-90 and the 7th Avenue overpass, drive 2 miles north on 7th Avenue (which becomes West Frontage Road) to Springhill Road. Turn right (north) and continue 14.5 miles to the posted trailhead parking area on the right. (En route, the pavement ends at 11.3 miles and becomes Rocky Mountain Road.)

Hiking directions: Walk through the trailhead gate, and cross the open grassland towards the mountains. The rock-embedded path parallels the ranch fenceline. At 0.7 miles, rock-hop or wade across North Cottonwood Creek. Merge with an old two-track wagon road. Pass through a gate and follow the creek into the mouth of the forested canyon and the gated U.S. forest boundary. Pass through the gate and follow the tumbling whitewater along a series of cascades, small waterfalls, and pools. At 2.3 miles, wade across the creek and follow the north bank. Cross two tributary streams from the north canyon slope, and cross back to the south side of the creek at 3.5 miles. Climb high above the creek on the north-facing wall to a large forested flat with a trickling stream. Cross the stream a couple of times, and follow the streams north edge through a sloping meadow beneath Hardscrabble Peak. Curve right around Peak 8558, and follow cairns through the trail-less meadow. This is the turn-around spot.

To extend the hike, the trail steadily climbs 2 more miles, gaining 1,000 feet to the Bridger Foothills National Recreation Trail at Bridger Divide. The divide is located at the saddle between Hardscrabble Peak and Sacagawea Peak.