Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Moderate Day Hikes | Tags: bozeman, day hikes, Gallatin Range, moderate day hike, Moderate Day Hikes, moderate hike
Leverich Canyon
Just outside of Bozeman, MT, Leverich Canyon Trail is a moderate 5 ½ mile hike. Bikes are allowed and recommended on this trail, and you will see many. 90% of the traffic on this trail is dominated by bikes, and the trail offers generous curves and slopes that mountain bikers will love riding down. For hikers, the gradual ascent, followed by generous curves, make this trail perfect for a moderate hike. You can also explore a bit of history on this trail, the loop leads by a long-forgotten mining camp. If you do decide to hike this trail instead of riding it on a bike, be prepared for a good workout.
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11 Jun 2020
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Easy Day Hikes, Gallatin Range, Hyalite Canyon
Langohr Creekside Trail
At the northern end of the Langohr Campground lies one of the easiest trails in Hyalite Canyon. If you thought that Palisade Falls was a quick stroll into the forest, the .3 miles of Langohr Creekside Trail offer just enough trail to settle your stomach after a campfire meal and is also a good choice for the elderly or toddlers. Most of the people that hike this trail are campers at Langohr Campground, giving you a unique opportunity to greet some of your neighbors, and exchange pleasantries. For a leisurely walk next to Hyalite Creek, pull into the spacious parking area and head down the trail.
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25 Feb 2020
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: bozeman, Easy Day Hikes, Gallatin Range
South Cottonwood Creek Trail
South Cottonwood Creek Trail runs through the heart of a network of trails just outside of Bozeman. Although there are numerous side trips and options that you have on South Cottonwood Creek Trail, the most popular option is a quick and scenic day hike through the forest, crossing over three bridges that lead over South Cottonwood Creek. This quick hike is popular, while being relatively short– it is only 2 ½ miles to the third bridge. That being said, most day hikers prefer to spend less time on this trail and only hike along it for one or two miles. Regardless of which option you choose, the trail begins at the end of Cottonwood Creek Road.
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18 Feb 2020
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range | Tags: Gallatin National Park, Gallatin Range, Hebgen Lake, West Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park
North Whits Lake
Whits Lakes, or Whits Lake, is a pair of small lakes located north of Hebgen Lake and just outside of Yellowstone National Park. Since the descriptions of these two bodies of water is somewhat confusing (some maps refer to them as Whits Lake, whereas others refer to the lakes as north or south Whits Lake) in this guide I’ll refer to them as separately as north or south Whits Lake. Now that we have that bit of confusion cleared up, let’s dive into the hike itself. Although the trail is only 2 miles round-trip, it allows you to escape the crowds of Yellowstone and explore the Gallatin National Forest. For big game hunters, Whits Lake is especially popular in the fall, which is also when I prefer to hike this trail.
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04 Feb 2020
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Gallatin Range, Hyalite Canyon
Buckskin Creek Meadow
This is a difficult hike to name since the hike runs along both Moser and Buckskin Creeks in Hyalite Canyon. Some guides refer to this hike as the Moser Creek Loop, while others stick to the more accurate name of Moser Creek to Buckskin Creek Loop. This trail has many side options to change the length of the trail, but the hike as described in this guide is an easy 5-mile loop. Along this trail, you will have plenty of opportunities to view wildlife or search for garnets and fossils. The Moser Creek to Buckskin Creek Loop is less popular than some of its neighbors in Hyalite Canyon, such as Heather Lake or Palisade Falls , making it one of the few day hikes that may allow you to spend most of the hike by yourself.
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27 Jan 2020
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Moderate Day Hikes, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Gallatin Range, Hyalite Canyon, Moderate Day Hikes
Heather Lake
Heather Lake and Emerald Lake are two beautiful subalpine lakes that lie between Mount Chisolm and Overlook Mountain. These lakes are popular attractions in Hyalite Canyon, making the trail busy most of the year. Mountain bikers, hikers, horseback riders, and even dirt bike riders enjoy the East Fork Hyalite Creek Trail during its peak season (July 15th-September 4th). The crowd on the trail shouldn’t distract you too much along this scenic trail, the waterfalls and towering geological wonders will pull your attention to the trail and force you to take a break. Starting at the trailhead, you are soon rewarded by one of these marvels.
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28 Jul 2018
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Easy Day Hikes, Gallatin Range, Hyalite Canyon
History Rock, located in Hyalite Canyon
History Rock Trail is one of the few places where someone leaving a trace behind is acceptable. Settlers, old timers, and even a scout for George Custer all left their marks on this large outcropping, and it stands as a historical “guest book” of sorts, storing the names and dates of those who have passed along this trail. Located in Bozeman’s busy Hyalite Canyon, History Rock is a short 2.5-mile hike that is a perfect way to stretch your legs. Make sure to bring a camera along this hike– not only is the scenery beautiful, but the soft sandstone on History Rock won’t be along forever. This last reason alone should tell you that you should stop and hike along the quick trail to History Rock.
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23 Jul 2018
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Easy Day Hikes, Gallatin Range, Hyalite Canyon
Grotto Falls
Grotto Falls, located in Bozeman’s scenic Hyalite Canyon, is a beautiful waterfall that can be reached within a half hour. Although the waterfall isn’t particularly tall, Grotto Falls makes up for that by its sheer volume. Hyalite Creek gushes over the falls into the pools below, creating perfect swimming holes to relax in after a hot day. Access to the falls is excellent, with the trail well groomed, and highly trafficked. Simply put, Grotto Falls should be on your must-see list if you are hiking towards Hyalite Lake, or even just in Hyalite Canyon for a day.
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02 Jul 2017
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Gallatin Range, Hyalite Canyon, waterfalls
There are many hikes on this site that can last for days, test your physical strength, and require navigational skills to reach your intended destination. Fortunately, Palisade Falls is not one of those hikes. The hike to Palisade Falls is quite possibly the easiest hike I’ve ever written about. You don’t need a water bottle or a backpack for this hike, and you don’t even need hiking boots for this hike. Instead, Palisade Falls offers something that few trails do- accessibility for everyone. This short 1-mile out-and-back hike can be explored by toddlers, the elderly, and even people who require wheelchairs or crutches. Simply put, this is the easiest hike you’ll ever take, but don’t let this dissuade you from hiking the Palisade Falls Trail. The natural beauty that Palisade Falls provides will still awe you, even if the hike won’t.
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01 Jul 2017
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Hiking Trails in Yellowstone National Park, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Gallatin Petrified Forest, Gallatin Range, geology, Yellowstone National Park
Petrified Wood on the Gallatin Petrified Forest Interpretive Trail
If you’re interested in the geological forces that shaped the mountains outside of Yellowstone National Park, or simply enjoy viewing petrified wood and semi-precious gems, the Gallatin Petrified Forest Interpretive Trail is an amazing trail. Although this trail is short, it gains 625 feet of elevation along the way (most of it during the last half mile). This gives a great calf stretch on the way to Yellowstone National Park, and is an excellent introduction to Yellowstone’s unique geology. Once you’re ready to hike this beautiful interpretive trail, drive down Tom Miner Rd for a dusty 11 miles, and begin your quick geologic adventure.
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28 Jun 2017
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: bozeman, Easy Day Hikes, Gallatin Range
Rat Lake
Rat Lake, located just outside of Bozeman, MT, is a day hike that attracts many hikers, anglers, and tourists. The quick hike, combined with the close proximity to Yellowstone, Bozeman, and Big Sky, draw in many locals and tourists each year. The high traffic on this hike shouldn’t discourage you, though. Anglers will appreciate the trout fishing, hikers will be encouraged to hike further down the trail, and tourists will love the quick chance to stretch their legs. This trail even offers a chance to stay overnight in a US Forest cabin- Rat Lake Trail #416 offers everyone a quick trip into the Gallatin Range.
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12 Jun 2017
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Hiking Trails in Yellowstone National Park, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Easy Day Hikes, Gallatin Range, Yellowstone National Park
Tepee Pass
Tepee Pass is a scenic day hike that is located just barely outside of Yellowstone National Park, and although the trail isn’t technically in the park, you can still see vistas of the park and the surrounding mountain ranges. Tepee Pass provides one of those rare moments when you can see two mountain ranges in all of their glory- the Gallatin Range to your left and right, and the Madison Range in front of you. While you’re on this hike, you also have the opportunity to see some of Yellowstone’s famous wildlife- bears, moose, and deer. If you’re not afraid of hiking up a large hill, the hike up to Tepee Pass is worth your time.
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29 Nov 2016
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Gallatin Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Gallatin Range
Blackmore Lake, as seen from the North side of the lake.
Blackmore lake is an easy, albeit mostly uphill, hike located near scenic Bozeman, Montana. Located just 30 minutes outside of town, Blackmore Lake is a beautiful lake back dropped by a jagged peak. Although Blackmore Lake has little to offer fishermen, it does offer the opportunity to observe wildlife, and rockhound.
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18 Jun 2014
