Box 805 Philipsburg, MT 59858 (406) 859-3211, 1935 Third Ave. W. Kalispell, MT 59901 (406) 758-5200, P.0. The Continental Divide Trail is approximately 800 miles in length in Montana and Idaho. It took some hunting, but after a few years we found a couple cartographers that have some maps of the nearby ranges. Come and explore this marvelous treasure and discover, for yourself, all that it has to offer. Their steaks and sauces are so delicious. Nighttime temperatures during the summer routinely dip into the low 30s, so make sure your sleeping bag can handle freezing conditions. The Idaho/Montana section of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) rolls 270 miles along the border with Montana from near Yellowstone in the south. Within this complex are three wildernesses: Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear. People love the Madison River Valley – its pristine rivers, majestic mountains and picturesque lakes inspire both locals and travelers. Hikers that would like to take the alternate route, traveling east of the Divide and the Canadian Border at Chief Mountain, can access the Apikuni Trailhead- located 11 miles from Babb on Glacier Route Three near SwiftcurrentFalls. Steeped in tradition and history, along the Trail’s northern section you trace the steps of Lewis and Clark and Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. On its eastern end, the range climbs abruptly out of the forested Island Park Caldera to form a high rugged crest that reaches its highest elevation at 10,203 feet on Mount Jefferson. East of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, the CDT curves like a scythe as it goes around Butte, Montana, mostly through lower elevation mountain ranges. Each bear has unique characteristics and behaviors. “First visit to the Continental Divide after several stays in Ennis. CDTC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. From Leadore travel East 11 miles on Hwy 29 to BannockPass. CDTC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. She’s committed to exploring the trails near her home in Butte, Montana, and sharing that knowledge with others. If you’re not familiar with bear safety, we suggest you also read our article, Tips for Hiking in Montana’s Bear Country, before heading out. Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail. Wherever you are hiking, being prepared is what keeps you safe and helps make your experience a positive one. All of the major landforms are structurally controlled with most of the mountain ranges being formed by block faults. Box 3200  Seeley Lake, MT 59868 (406) 677-2233, Rt. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Welcome to Big Sky Country and the land of the Nez Perce. The natural beauty of the HelenaNational Forest is complemented by outstanding opportunities for fishing the Blackfoot and MissouriRivers, hiking along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and viewing magnificent big game in the 129,000-acre Elkhorn Wildlife Management Unit. Pairs well with a variety of white wines. Southwest Montana has two types of bears: black bears and grizzly bears. When we realized we were moving to Butte, we were ecstatic seeing we were about to be surrounded by so much public land. It also offers breath-taking scenery for a wide variety of recreational pursuits. Trail Information, Outreach and Education, this video by Park Wildlife Biologist John Waller, this pamphlet by Montana Fish and Wildlife, Tips for Hiking in Montana’s Bear Country. Don’t be shy. Dialogue is an essential part of any kitchen. Capalad, who was born in the Philippines and raised in Texas, uses his travels as his inspiration for this globally-inspired American cuisine. Located in west central Montana. Mountain ranges create their own weather patterns. Higher elevations produce Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, subalpine larch and whitebark pine. We moved to Montana with a Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza. Next time I visit I plan to try the Elk Backstrip!”. The Continental Divide. If not, allow us to introduce The Continental Divide. And, in 1932 Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Park, in Canada, were designated Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Additionally, some trails that exist on maps don’t actually exist anymore. For example, we noticed in the spring that clouds get hung up and the mountains are more likely to have thunderstorms while our home city has blue skies. I suppose we assumed there were trails all throughout the National Forests, which there are. http://www.nps.gov/glac/. Divide gets its name because it is near the Continental Divide. The Bighorn Bar & Grill Delivers Good Old-Fashioned Montana Food And Hospitality, Experience Ghostly History Firsthand As You Make Your Way Through This Haunted Prison In Montana, Everyone In Montana Should See What’s Inside The Gates Of This Abandoned Town, The Montana Ghost Story That Will Leave You Absolutely Baffled, This Small Town Montana Pub Has Some Of The Best Food In The West, This Historic Pub Is Almost As Old As Montana Itself, This Charming Eatery In Montana Will Serve You The Best Pasta Of Your Life, https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/, The Continental Divide Restaurant / Facebook. It didn’t take long for us to realize the need for a high clearance truck (just one summer season). http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/, BLM Salmon Field Office http://www.id.blm.gov/offices/salmon/, Homestake Pass- From Butte, MT travel East 7.2 miles to HomestakePass. Bo x9998 Lima ID 59739-9998, US Post Office: General Delivery Big Springs Road, Macks Inn, ID 83429. Love Montana? The Continental Divide is a line of hydrological division. These rangelands provide benefits like wildlife habitats and recreation. Back in our college days while attending a meteorology class, we discovered a rule of thumb which estimates that for every 1,000 feet you ascend, the temperature drops 3.5-5 degrees F. Therefore the temperature for where you’re hiking can be much cooler than your, home base down in a valley. We’ve learned it’s best to take into account as many different sources to determine the trail you’ll take (Google satellite, maps, GPS). The Continental Divide is open Thursday - Tuesday (closed Wednesdays) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance. you’re hiking, pack for the unpredictable, and stay safe. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. If you plan on hiking in Montana, make sure you are prepared with bear spray. Address: The area is a highly desired destination for hunting, fishing, white-water rafting and many other popular recreational pursuits. We’ve learned it’s best to take into account as many different sources to determine the trail you’ll take (Google satellite, maps, GPS). River and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Marias Pass- Located on US Hwy 2-travel to the Summit Campground near the Roosevelt Memorial to access the CDT. Box 190310 Hungry Horse, MT 59919 5/15-10/25   (406) 758-5376 winter (406) 387-3800, East Babcock Ave. Bozeman, MT 59771 (406) 587-6701, P.0. Bob Marshall Wilderness, Scapegoat Wilderness, Great Bear Wilderness: The Lewis and ClarkNational Forest is one of ten national forests in Northern Region lies in central and north central Montana within the upper Missouri River system. To the west, vast canyons and limestone peaks foster a collection of timber and sub-alpine fir, embracing meadows, and blue, blue skies. After an afternoon of fly fishing, the quality of food was spot on. Benchmark/South Fork T.H.- From Augusta, MT- located on US Hwy 287, travel 17 miles west towards Nilan Reservoir on Ranger Station Road. There are some older Forest Service maps, but the information is outdated and they don’t typically include mileage. Stemple Pass- From US Hwy 287/MT 15 Helena- travel north 22 miles on MT 279 to Wilborn. Glacier and Waterton Lakes have both been designated as Biosphere Reserves and together were recognized, in 1995, as a World Heritage Site. From Tendoy, travel west 11 miles on the Lewis & Clark National Backcountry Byway towards the Sacajawea Memorial and LemhiPass. Travel West on Hwy 43, 75 miles to Chief Joseph Pass. We put together this article for those who may want to learn a thing or two about hiking in Montana. I suppose we assumed there were trails all throughout the National Forests, which there are. The Continental Divide is under new ownership as of 2019, and the new owners intend to keep it open all year long. These maps aren’t always found in local outdoor stores, and while you can find full maps for the CDT (such as, You won’t be able to get into the higher trails during winter, Mountain weather can be drastically different than down in the valleys, If you’re new to hiking, this is something to consider and prepare for. Most trails are clear by mid-July. 24 Fort Missoula  Missoula, MT 59804 (406) 329-3750, P.0. Wagyu filet and Macadamia nut crusted walleye, just to name a few. http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/helena/. The Helena National Forest surrounds Montana’s Capital City (Helena) and offers close to one million acres of distinctive landscapes. The Continental Divide snakes through the forest and along part of its boundary. This place gets all of the stars. Usually high or low snowfall will affect trail conditions and the dates that trails melt out. This is why most of the hikes we highlight on our website are suggested for late spring – autumn. Congress designated the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area as part of the original Wilderness Act of 1964 and it now encompasses over 1.5 million acres. Enjoy a Shrimp & Lobster Linguine with Almond Gremolata, Roasted Red Peppers, Mushrooms, Asparagus in a White Wine Cream Sauce. We’ve also noted some trails have intersections without directional signs or they may list a trail number instead of listing your destination which can be confusing. We moved to Montana with a Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza. Our small towns mean the world to us, and they’re often filled with hidden gems and beloved local staples. Avalanche dangers are extreme along most of the CDT, so winter enthusiasts may want to limit their excursions to officially designated cross-country ski trails. Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
Bob Marshall, Great Bear and Scapegoat Wildernesses. There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as hikes that are fairly close to nearby towns, but the majority of the trails we hike aren’t accessible in the winter. After all the steaks and Montana meat restaurants, this restaurant was wonderful. For example, we noticed in the spring that clouds get hung up and the mountains are more likely to have thunderstorms while our home city has blue skies. With its snow-covered mountain peaks and internationally known “blue ribbon” trout streams, the Gallatin National Forest is a popular recreation area in Montana. Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. From Wilborn travel west 8.5 miles following VirginiaCreek to StemplePass. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden. Let us know if you have any questions! The hiking access we were used to was always off of well-maintained roads. For example, some trails may not have a trailhead kiosk which makes it. A grizzly bear seen from the trail in Glacier National Park, MT. You can learn about the differences in behaviors by watching this video by Park Wildlife Biologist John Waller. The menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients and meats of the highest quality. “The Continental Divide is my absolute favorite restaurant in Ennis!!! The only other way to reach these trailheads during the winter months is by using a winter specific motorized vehicle. The landscape is built from block fault mountain ranges sculpted by glaciers, and covered with a rich thick forest. The elevation ranges from 4,500 to 9,362 feet at the top of RockyMountainPeak in the Rocky Mountains. Photo by Matt Berger.