Hiking in Montana: Things You Should Know

When we realized we were moving to Butte, we were ecstatic seeing we were about to be surrounded by so much public land. I suppose we assumed there were trails all throughout the National Forests, which there are. We just couldn’t find them online easily. We were also having a hard time finding maps on the surrounding forests that included all info we were interested in (topographic lines, mileage, shaded relief). There are some older Forest Service maps, but the info is outdated, and they don’t typically include mileage. It took some hunting, but after a few years, we found a couple of cartographers that have some maps of the nearby ranges. These maps aren’t always found in local outdoor stores, and our favorite range, the Pioneer Mountains still doesn’t have a complete map.

If you’re new to hiking, this is something to consider and prepare for. 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 and at the trailhead can be much cooler than your home base down in a valley. Mountain weather is also notorious for being unpredictable. Mountain ranges create their own weather patterns. For example, we noticed in Spring that the clouds get hung up in the mountains and are more likely to have thunderstorms while our home city has blue skies. Always be prepared – check the weather for where you’re hiking, pack for the unpredictable, and stay safe.

We understand this is relative to where you come from. Just remember that most of our hikes in Montana are between 8,000-12,000 ft. High altitude = higher UV rays. Our climate is also very dry. Make sure you apply and/or bring sunblock. It’s also a good idea to bring extra water if you’re not used to higher altitude hiking.

Some areas close or are off limits during certain times of year. An example of this can be that your location is in a Wildlife Management Area. As the Montana Fish and Wildlife website explains, “The primary goal of Montana’s Wildlife Management Areas is to maintain vital wildlife habitat for the protection of species and the enjoyment of the public.” We fully support these closures, and want to make sure you plan your visit accordingly. You can view Wildlife Management Area locations and their opening/closing dates by clicking the button below.

We suggest reviewing maps, checking with the land management organization that controls the land, or we’ve found OnX’s map layers to be quite helpful when hiking in Montana.

Conclusion

We realize not all of these suggestions will be news to everyone who reads the article. Part of what we try to emphasize in our own website is being prepared. What better way to emphasize it than to write an article about what to expect. Although some of these headlines might sound like a deterrent to some, we don’t mean them to be. We’ve fully enjoyed this new approach to hiking. It makes the experience feel more rugged and remote. It feels like more of an adventure. We hope you are lucky enough to have the experience of hiking in Montana too.