Montana’s Stunning Mountains for Hiking & Adventure

Montana

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Why is Montana called the "Land of the Shining Mountains"?
- Montana is called the "Land of the Shining Mountains" for a very good reason. With 77 named ranges in the Rocky Mountains, a continental divide riding across the state, and more than 100 mountains in the western part of the state, Montana has more than its share of magnificent mountains.
What is the biggest tourist attraction in Montana?
- Stretched between the Rockies and the Great Plains, Glacier National Park is the biggest tourist attraction.

Divide Mountain

Where is Divide Mountain located?
- Divide Mountain, with the highest peak at 8,665 feet, is located in the Lewis Range of Glacier National Park in Montana, just south of the town of Saint Mary.
What does Divide Mountain separate?
- It forms the border between Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Is Divide Mountain difficult to climb?
- It is popular among beginner climbers as it is considered an “easy mountain.”
What can you see from the top?
- Once you reach the top, the views of St. Mary, the Yellow Mountain, and all the higher peaks of the Rockies are worth the effort.
What is the best route to climb Divide Mountain?
- If you stay to the right coming from the trailhead at the communication towers, there is a nice slope and you can avoid climbing between the cliffs to get onto the ridge.
What is the landscape like?
- There are blooming flowers in the season, and no large trees to obscure the view, so vistas are open and magnificent wherever you look.
Is there anything at the summit?
- There is an abandoned fire lookout cabin on the top.
Where can I find Divide Mountain on a map?
- Check out the location on Google Maps.

Mount Grinnell

Where is Mount Grinnell located?
- One of Glacier National Park’s most beautiful mountains, Mount Grinnell is located at the western end of the park’s Many Glacier Area, between Mount Gould and Mount Wilbur.
What trails lead to the summit?
- There are several trails to the summit. Coming from the southwest along the Granite Park Chalet Trail, you get fantastic views of the Lake McDonald Area peaks to the west and, in the distance, the Livingston and Lewis ranges.
What can you see from the top?
- Once you reach the summit, Mount Grinnell provides a vista all the way to Chief Mountain.
What is the elevation gain?
- The elevation gain from the trailhead is 4,550 feet, but due to the ups and downs along the route, the actual round trip is only about 13 miles.
Is there wildlife in the area?
- Yes, the entire area of the Northern Rockies is full of wildlife. You may encounter mountain lions, grizzly bears, and black bears above the tree line.

Holland Peak

What is the elevation of Holland Peak?
- At 9,356 feet, Holland Peak is the highest peak in the imposing, rugged Swan Range and the highest peak at the western end of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
How long is the hike?
- The whole trip is only about 5 miles long, but in the last 4 miles, you will gain 5,000 feet in elevation.
Can Holland Peak be done as a day hike?
- Yes, it is possible to do it as a day hike, but it requires serious scrambling, more than one vertical rise, and narrow, brushy trails.
What can you see from the summit?
- From Holland Peak, you can see "The Bob" to the east and the Swan Valley to the west.
What is special about the west face of the mountain?
- The west face of the mountain is famous for its sheer vertical rise above the lovely Rumble Creek Lakes.
What is unique about the lakes?
- There is a narrow cascade where the upper lake outlet drops to the lower lake. The lakes are full of fish, and there are often more fishermen than hikers on the mountain.
Where can I find Holland Peak on a map?
- Check out the location on Google Maps.

Montana Mountains: Flinsch Peak

Where is Flinsch Peak located?
- Flinsch Peak is located in the Lewis Range, about 2.3 miles west of Rising Wolf Mountain. It straddles the Continental Divide.
What lake is near Flinsch Peak?
- Young Man Lake is located just east of the peak.
How high is Flinsch Peak?
- At 9,225 feet, Flinsch Peak is surprisingly easy to climb from the pass, offering outstanding views of the surrounding mountains.
Who was Flinsch Peak named after?
- It was named for Rudolf Ernst Ferdinand Flinsch, a young Austrian who came to the mountain in 1892 to hunt mountain goats.
Where is the trailhead for Flinsch Peak?
- The North Shore Trailhead is located in Two Medicine Valley, and the best time to start the hike is early in the morning.
Are there water sources along the hike?
- There is very little water above No Name Lake, so hikers should bring enough water.
Where can I find Flinsch Peak on a map?
- Check out the location on Google Maps.

Trapper Peak

What is the elevation of Trapper Peak?
- At 10,157 feet, Trapper Peak is the highest of the Bitterroot Mountains, about 11.7 miles from Darby, Montana.
Where is Trapper Peak located?
- Trapper Peak is the highest point on the huge ridge between Trapper Creek and Boulder Creek.
Where is the best viewpoint for Trapper Peak?
- Most people stop at the point-of-interest sign a couple of miles south of Darby, but there is a better viewpoint farther south, closer to Connor.
Is Trapper Peak difficult to climb?
- Trapper Peak is one of the most-climbed of the Bitterroot Mountains, mostly because it is the highest and relatively easy to climb. There are some boulders to cross where using hands becomes necessary, and some talus near the summit, but nothing serious.
Are there different trail options?
- There are a number of trailheads leading to trails of different levels of difficulty and elevation gain, so hikers can choose which one to take.
What is the most challenging trail to Trapper Peak?
- One of the most challenging is the Trapper Creek Trailhead, which has additional elevation gain, very steep slopes, and an elusive trail.
What is the status of the area around the summit?
- The area around the Trapper Peak summit is a Designated Wilderness.

Triple Divide Peak

Where is Triple Divide Peak located?
- Triple Divide Peak is an 8,020-foot mountain located in the Lewis Range, part of the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park.
What makes Triple Divide Peak unique?
- The Continental Divide runs through these mountains, creating a maritime and continental climate, with an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.
Why is it called Triple Divide Peak?
- The name Triple Divide means that the waters running down from the peak’s sedimentary soil can end up in three different oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, or Arctic Oceans, separated by thousands of miles.
How long does it take to hike to the top?
- It takes about 2 days for the 16-mile out-and-back climb to the top, with almost 3,000 feet of climbing.
Where does the trail to Triple Divide Peak start?
- From the Cut Bank trailhead, the trail goes up gradually along Cut Bank Creek.
What is the terrain like?
- The trail continues to climb steadily without switchbacks across the sheer flanks of 9,375-foot Mount James.
What can you see from the hike?
- If you look south toward the Triple Divide Pass, you will see the gorgeous sapphire-blue Medicine Grizzly Lake.

Rising Wolf Mountain

Where is Rising Wolf Mountain located?
- Rising Wolf Mountain is one of the first mountains you see when you enter the Two Medicine area in the southeast end of Glacier National Park.
What is the elevation of Rising Wolf Mountain?
- The mountain stands at 9,518 feet and is part of the Lewis Range.
Is the climb to the summit difficult?
- The climb is long and hard, but the views from the summit are a true reward, with valleys, summits, and hanging lakes all around you.
How long is the hike?
- The hike is only about 10 kilometers long, but the elevation gain is about 4,500 feet, making the difficult off-trail scramble feel much longer.
What is the cultural significance of the area?
- The Blackfeet consider the Two Medicine region of the park to be sacred ground.

Stanton Mountain

Where is Stanton Mountain located?
- Stanton Mountain is located in the Northern Rockies and has an elevation of 7,750 feet.
How difficult is the climb to Stanton Mountain?
- Although you will gain almost 4,600 feet in elevation, Stanton Mountain is considered an “easy” climb compared to other peaks in the region.
What is the trail like?
- It has a nice trail for the first 2.3 miles, followed by about half a mile of serious bushwhacking. After that, the climb continues through open timber, steep ascents through old burn areas, tundra, and finally bare rocks leading to the summit.
How long does it take to reach the summit?
- With a steady, fairly moderate pace, most experienced climbers can complete the climb in about 3 hours.
When is the best time to climb?
- There is snow almost until July, making this a nice early-season climb.
What can you see from the summit?
- From the summit, there is a spectacular view of Lake McDonald, and on its edge, Apgar Village.
Are there water sources along the trail?
- After you cross a stream early on, there is no more water, so be sure to bring enough.

Allen Mountain

Where is Allen Mountain located?
- Allen Mountain, elevation 9,376 feet, is located in the Lewis Range of Glacier National Park, north-northwest of Cracker Lake.
How does Allen Mountain compare to other peaks in Many Glacier Valley?
- It is one of the three tallest summits in Many Glacier Valley. However, it does not appear as impressive when viewed from the eastern shore of Swiftcurrent Lake, where its dramatic neighbors like Mount Wilbur and Grinnell Point dominate the skyline.
What is the route like from Many Glacier Hotel?
- Starting from the Many Glacier Hotel, you will ascend a broad mountainside covered in scree, continuing uphill towards very steep cliffs. You will then reach a nicely rounded sub-8,000-foot summit at the end of a long ridge that leads south to the actual summit.
Are there different routes to Allen Mountain?
- Yes, there are several routes to the summit, depending on the level of difficulty you are looking for.
What is the High Traverse/Great Break Route?
- The High Traverse/Great Break Route follows a game trail leading to the beautiful Snow Moon Basin.

Mount Oberlin

Where is Mount Oberlin located?
- Mount Oberlin, at 8,180 feet, is located in the Lewis Range of Glacier National Park, just northwest of Logan Pass, one mile from the Continental Divide, and north of Clements Mountain.
How long is the hike to Mount Oberlin?
- The trail is 4 miles long and gains 1,500 feet in elevation.
How difficult is the climb?
- The trail is steep in some places and can take up to 7 hours to reach the summit and return.
What wildlife might you see on the trail?
- The views are magnificent, and you might be lucky enough to spot mountain goats and bears.
How do you get to the trailhead?
- The Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park, which leads to the trailhead, is an amazing adventure in itself.
Where does the trail begin?
- The trail starts at the base of Logan Pass.
Is the trail easy to follow?
- The trail is marked with cairns and is easy to follow all the way to the summit.
What can you see from the trail?
- Along the route, you will have open views of Mount Gould, the Garden Wall, the Livingston Range, and the Lewis Range.

Map:

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Table of Contents:

1. Divide Mountain
2. Mount Grinnell
3. Holland Peak
4. Montana Mountains: Flinsch Peak
5. Trapper Peak
6. Triple Divide Peak
7. Rising Wolf Mountain
8. Stanton Mountain
9. Allen Mountain
10. Mount Oberlin