Montana

Boulder Pass Trail
Beartooth High Routes

Boulder Pass Trail - Glacier National Park

The Waterton boat shuttle takes you across the border to Goat Haunt at the south end of lake where the hike begins through the Olson Creek valley

Thunderbird Falls on Boulder Pass Trail in Glacier National Park Montana

Close to freezing temperatures in late September, I was glad to reach Brown Pass where the rain turned to snow

Approaching Hole-in-the-Wall

Hole in the Wall Campground

Bear tracks on the trail to Boulder Pass Montana

Walked slower than normal following these tracks up the pass in the morning fog, making sure they stayed in the lead

Boulder Pass

I started the hike in Canada, taking the boat shuttle from Waterton Lakes National Park. Two nights at Boulder Pass would be ideal, although Hole in the Wall campground can be an alternative if no availability. Climbing Boulder Peak was the highlight of the walk

Gardner Point

Boulder Pass campground in Glacier National Park Montana

Campsite for the evening at Boulder Pass

Small pools during the Boulder Peak summit in Glacier National Park

I had a free day in the Boulder Pass area and climbed Boulder peak for a great view of Pocket Lake and the western peaks

Boulder Peak hike above Pocket Lake in Glacier National Park Montana

Boulder Peak Summit looking west towards Kinnerly

Thunderbird mountain on the Boulder Pass trail in Glacier National Park backpacking trip

Thunderbird Mountain from the Boulder Pass overlook trail

Beartooth High Route (North)

Walking across Froze to Death Plateau in the Beartooths of Montana

Scott joined me on the walk, his first high route.. not breaking him in gently as we gained 5,000 feet going across Froze to Death Plateau from Phantom Creek

Loose rock on the pass near Granite Peak in the Beartooth Range of Montana

Loose rock on the pass towards Lowary Lake

Mountain Goat smoky sunrise in Beartooth mountains Montana hike

The mountain goat that wondered around our tents during the night

The middle two days are off trail between the Phantom Creek trail and the East Rosebud trail and take considerable more time

Overview Map

Climbing the pass near Granite Peak towards the Sky Top Lakes area

Climbing the pass in the morning towards the Sky Top Lakes area

Fizzle Lake on a backpacking trip in the Beartooths of Montana

Fizzle Lake was the final off-trail section of our walk before hitting the East Rosebud Trail

Dewey Lake on the East Rosebud Trail hike in the Beartooth Range of Montana

Dewey Lake on the return walk down to Phantom Creek

Fall colors on Rimrock Lake in the Beartooth Mountains

Fall colors near Rimrock Lake

Beartooth High Route (South)

Beartooth creek area on a backpacking trip starting at Island Lake in the Beartooth Wilderness

Connor joined me on the southern route a few years later (5 days, 51 miles)

Wright and Martin Lakes on Beartooth mountains hike in Montana

Wright and Martin Lakes near our first camp

Ouzel Lake and Bald Knob from camp on a Beartooth wilderness high route backpack

The hiking slower than expected on the altitude adjustment days leading to Ouzel Lake and Bald Knob

Off trail section of the Beartooth high route climbing Mount Rosebud

Starting the climb here to the ridge line and the off trail section of the walk

Mount Rosebud climb on the Beartooth wilderness hike in the Montana mountains

Higher on the Mount Rosebud climb. Connor chose to wear a thick hoody and sweatpants to keep the mosquitoes from biting

The first two days were on the lower trail system with camps below 10,000 feet to acclimate. The ridge line walk that goes from Mount Rosebud to Summit Mountain gives the best views and my favorite day considering both the northern and southern routes. If done again, I would allocate a separate day for the Spirit Mountain climb as lightning concerns had me turn around with really no place for safety on the long plateau. The climb would be better in the morning hours vs when I attempted in late afternoon. The mosquitoes were bad in early August, a late September only destination if I return.

Overview Map

Unnamed lake

High camp on a Beartooth Mountains backpacking loop

High camp on the third night

Common terrain on the high route backpacking in the Beartooth Wilderness in Montana

Microspikes were enough for the route, only one instance where an ice axe could have helped but could get around any snowfield with enough effort in early August

Flat Rock Lake camp on a backpacking trip in the Beartooth Wilderness Mountains in Montana

Flat Rock Lake near Castle Mountain

View of Glacier and Emerald Lake from the Spirit Mountain climb in the Beartooth Wilderness in Wyoming

Smoky view towards Glacier and Emerald Lakes from the Spirit Mountain plateau