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A steep hike to a fire lookout with views of the entire Bitterroot Valley.


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Map Key

3.8

Miles

6.1

KM

Point to Point

9,342' 2,848 m

High

6,863' 2,092 m

Low

2,479' 756 m

Up

62' 19 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (7°)

62%

Max Grade (32°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Need to Know

Carry bear spray!

Description

Follow this short, but moderately steep trail through sub-alpine conifer forest progressing to exposed rocky terrain. You'll pass from the Bitterroot National Forest into the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness about halfway through the trek.

The trail ends at the precipice of St. Mary Peak (9,351ft/2850m) where you'll have a 360-degree vantage of the surrounding area. At the peak is a functioning fire tower lookout constructed in 1953 and the foundational remains of a similar structure built in 1931 and destroyed in a windstorm in 1951.

In the summer months, you'll likely be greeted by a volunteer with the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation (selwaybitterroot.org) who staff the lookout.

Flora & Fauna

Small mammals, birds, deer

Contacts

Shared By:

McCaide Wooten

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 3 votes

#1059

Overall
  5.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#34

in Montana

#1,059

Overall
2 Views Last Month
101 Since Aug 23, 2021
Difficult Difficult

0%
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33%
67%
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Photos

Lookout approach.
Aug 23, 2021 near Stevens…, MT
Northwest view from St. Mary Peak.
Aug 23, 2021 near Stevens…, MT
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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