montana trailheads

Schley trailhead

Schley is accessed off of the Fish Creek 343 Rd. Take Surveyor Creek 7734 Rd west to its end. There is a large parking area with a pit toilet. There is a gate to continue further down the road that is open July thru end of August, otherwise, you will have to hike this three miles on foot.

Kid Lake is just over the Stateline border in Idaho, about 2.5 miles from the final gate. From Kid Lake, you can also find the upper access of Kelly Creek #567. Schley Mtn #110 will take you north into the Burn if you start at the first trailhead before the gate.

Cache creek trailhead

Cache Creek is accessed from the Fish Creek 343 Rd. Turn off at FS-4218 Cache Creek Rd to follow up to the end, arriving at the trailhead. The trailhead features hitching posts and plenty of parking if you choose to bring stock.

Cache Creek #317 follows creek gradient for about 7 miles into the drainage. Enjoy views in some old burned areas, the sounds of the rushing creek, and plenty of wildflowers that speckle the landscape.

Granite Pass Trailhead

From US Hwy-12, turn onto FS-595 Rd just opposite of the Lolo Pass visitor center. Follow this road to Granite Pass where you will come upon a dispersed camping site.

Jump on the Stateline #46 and head up to Pilot Knob. From here, you could either choose to take Blacklead #35 or continue on the Stateline, eventually reaching Granite Peak.

Clearwater crossing Trailhead

Clearwater Crossing trailhead and campground is only about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Missoula. From Fish Creek 343 Rd, turn onto FS-7750 Rd (there is a sign for Iowa State Conservation Camp). Follow this road for 7 miles to reach the campground and trailhead. The crossing was burned is the Fish Creek fire of 2015. While visiting, check out the signs and information following the fire.

North Fork Fish Creek #103 leads out of the crossing and eventually to Greenwood Cabins after 6.5 miles. You can continue past Greenwood and choose to head to French Lake or even up to the Stateline #738. West Fork Fish Creek #101 starts by crossing the bridge and heading into the burn. From here, you can continue to Fish Lake (11 miles), or take Schley Mountain #110 to the Schley trailhead (7 miles).

Hoodoo pass Trailhead

Hoodoo Pass is accessed from the FS-250 Rd. Exit I-90 at Superior and take 250 approximately 25 miles to the Hoodoo Pass, Stateline. The pass typically melts out near the end of June or early July.

Stateline #738 passes back and forth between MT and ID for miles. You’ll come upon an intersection leading to Heart Lake (4 miles total), or you can continue on and drop down into Dalton and Pearl Lakes. Following the trail further south makes for a wonderful trip where you could eventually pop out at Clearwater Crossing or Schley trailheads.