Tweedy Mountain is the highpoint of the East Pioneer Mountains and 8th highest point in Montana if you exclude the Beartooth Mountains. There are several routes to the summit but the simplest and most popular starts from the Gorge Lakes trailhead on the east side of the range. The route follows the main trail for several miles before heading off-trail up to South Gorge Lake and finishes with a fun, albeit steep, scramble up Torrey’s northern flank. It is possible to skip South Gorge Lake and head straight to the summit but this will not shave off much time and you’ll miss out on the beauty of the lake. Alternatively, it is possible to bushwhack to Barb Lake from the same trailhead. The final ascent from Barb Lake is much simpler than the previous route but the bushwhacking can be miserable at times. These two routes could be combined to form a nice loop around the peak. Torrey could also be climbed from a base camp at North Gorge Lake or Torrey Lake on the west side of the range. The last mile to the trailhead requires high-clearance but up to that point it should be accessible by most vehicles although the road is a bit long and bumpy.

The Froze to Death Plateau is a high plateau in the northeast corner of the Beartooth Mountains. While the plateau serves as a starting point for many difficult climbs including the highest point in Montana, Granite Peak, getting to its base is a fun and scenic hike on its own. The trail starts at the Phantom Creek Trailhead and climbs steadily all the way to the top. From the top the options area almost endless. Simpler side quest include Prairieview Mountain and Saddleback Mountain to the east, Froze to Death Mountain to the west, or just general exploration of the plateau; the more skilled climber could even make an attempt at Granite Peak. There are some campsites near Slough Lake along the way for beginner or early-season backpacking. An alternate, and possibly simpler, route to the plateau starts from the next drainage up, West Rosebud, and follows a trail south from the shores of Mystic Lake up to the plateau. Either trailhead should be accessible by most vehicles.

Cherry Peak (7,351′) is the highpoint of the Cour d’Alene Mountains, the northernmost portion of the Bitterroot Range. It’s a delightful and incredibly scenic hike that follows the Eddy Ridge Trail most of the way followed by a short off-trail section near the end with some minor scrambles here and there. The hike starts at 6,600′ so your car will do most of the climbing for you although there is some hidden elevation gain along the way due to the many small ups and downs along the ridge. There’s little tree cover on this hike so if it’s sunny be prepared for a hot day and take whatever precautions are necessary to stay cool. Although long, the road to the trailhead is in great shape and most vehicles should be able to get to the trailhead with ease. Side quests include the Tuffy’s Lake Lookout, just a simple side hike off the main trail, Tuffy’s Lake, a possible backpacking destination, or Penrose Peak, the 2nd highest point in the range and more challenging side quest.

Black Mountain (8,330′) is the highpoint of the Nevada Mountains, an unofficial mountain range just west of Helena, MT. It’s a simple hike that follows the Continental Divide Trail (an old ATV track in this case) all the way to the summit. The summit is almost completely forested so views are lacking but overall it’s a really pleasant hike and there are some views to be had along the way. Getting to the trailhead takes some time but the road is appropriate for most vehicles. Nevada Mountain, just north of Black, could be done as a long side quest by simply continuing along the CDT for several more miles. Black Mountain could also be accessed from the east by a much longer route starting near Deadman Creek.

Baldy Mountain (7,464′) is the highpoint of the “Thompson-Baldy Area” a subset of the Cabinet Mountains located in the southeast corner of the range. It’s a simple and straightforward hike with a trail leading straight to the summit. Whoever designed the trail did an amazing job of spreading out the 1,500′ of elevation perfectly over the 2 mile ascent. Getting to the trailhead involves following a series of tedious mountain roads but most vehicles should be able to make it without a problem. Baldy Lake, situated just below the summit, would make a great side quest or even a good early-season backpacking destination.

Ch-paa-qn Peak (pronounced “cha pa kwin”) is the highpoint of a long ridge known as Reservation Divide just west of Missoula, MT. Because of its close proximity to Missoula Cha-paa-qn is somewhat of an icon of the area, being one of the tallest peaks around, and is a popular hike for locals. It’s a relatively simple, no-nonsense hike which follows the Reservation Divide trail west through the forest followed by a short, off-trail talus scramble up Ch-paa-qn’s southern flank. Getting to the trailhead requires a long and tedious drive from the interstate but the roads are in decent shape. There is a second, comparable route which comes in from the west along the Sleeping Woman Trail but there are conflicting reports on the condition of the trail.

Old Baldy Mountain (7,511′) is the highpoint of the Garnet Range north of Deer Lodge, MT. Old Baldy is one of those highpoints you do just to bag it mainly because getting to the “trailhead” requires up to 2.5 hrs. of cumbersome driving on mountain roads. Luckily the road is in decent shape but in the end it takes significantly longer just to get to the trailhead than to actually hike the thing. From the trailhead it’s a simple mile hike to the summit with just a short off-trail section at the end up the mountain’s northern slopes. I speculate that it can be accessed from the north but have no information on the road condition from that angle. It also may be possible to park where the road leaves Brock Creek and follow the creek up the drainage toward the summit from the south but some of this land is on private property.

McCartney Mountain (8,364′) is the highpoint of a small sub-range of the Highland Mountains just north of Dillon, MT. The route to the top mainly follows an ATV road from the south end of the range near Bell Peak, the only other named peak in the range. This road will take you to the top of the main north-south ridge of the range which you can then follow to the almost view-less summit; a high-clearance vehicle will actually get you to the top of the ridge. There is some troublesome bushwhacking during the last section and you’ll be in prime rattlesnake habitat so be extra cautious. Bell Peak would be a simple side quest and would probably provide better views of the area than McCartney.

Leggat Mountain (10,216′) is an almost unheard of peak near the Branham Lakes Campground located deep within the Tobacco Root Mountains. It starts with a short climb up to a saddle, followed by a short off-trail section over to Gneiss Lake, and then a steep scramble up Leggat’s northeast ridge up to the summit. There is a very steep class 3 section just below the summit but other than that it’s a very pleasant hike. There are many other peaks in the area that could be done from a base camp at the campground. These include Thompson Peak, Lady of the Lake Peak, Mount Bradley, or any of the numerous unnamed peaks nearby. The road to the campground is long and tedious but should be accessible by most vehicles.

Elk Peak (8,589′) is the highpoint of the Castle Mountains just east of White Sulphur Springs, MT. The Castles get there name because of the numerous castle-like rock spires poking through the trees; Elk Peak is just one of these spires. Because of the extensive road system in the Castles you can get to the summit from several angles but the shortest approach is from the east. There’s nothing tricky about the hike, you pretty much just follow the road as it climbs steadily to the summit. The road is in great shape so I recommend biking it if you’re relatively experienced. Wapiti Peak is a simple side quest but other than that there’s not too much else to do.

Hollowtop Mountain (10,604′) is the highpoint of the Tobacco Root Mountains and can be seen on the horizon west of Bozeman, MT. It gets its name from the concave nature of its northeast face. There are several routes to the summit, all from different angles, but I recommend starting from the North Willow Creek trailheard near Pony, MT. This is the longest of the routes, and probably in some ways the most challenging, but it’s also the most scenic. The hike starts with a steady climb up to Hollowtop Lake which is a great destination of its own and makes for a great base camp if you want to break the trek into two days. This is followed by a nasty section of bushwhacking as you make your way to the saddle between Hollowtop Mountain and Mount Jefferson. Once at the saddle it’s a simple and steady climb up to the summit. Side quests include any of the peaks bordering the Hollowtop Lake basin including Mount Jefferson, Horse Mountain, and Potosi Peak.

Crow Peak (9,414′) is the highpoint of the Elkhorn Mountains, a lesser-known gem of the Bozeman area. It’s only a three mile hike to its summit from the ghost town of Elkhorn but you can easily bag Crow’s neighbor, Elkhorn Peak (9,381′), along the way and turn this into a delightful loop hike. Starting from the ghost town you follow an old mining trail for several miles and then a series of spur trails up to the summit of Elkhorn Peak. Then make the incredibly scenic traverse over to Crow Peak and descend the drainage to the northwest back to the trailhead. Much of this hike is off-trail but the terrain is easily navigable. Side quests include an old mining camp on the way up Elkhorn Peak, any of the lakes at the bases of the peaks, or even the ghost town of Elkhorn.

Stine Mountain (9,488′) is the highpoint of the West Pioneer Mountains, an unofficial sub-range of the Pioneer Mountains in southwest Montana. It’s a straightforward hike, mostly through the woods, that follows the northern section of the Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Trail most of the way with just a short and simple off-trail section near the top. What’s odd about this one is that most of the elevation gain is actually at the start of the hike rather than the end. The trail is extremely rocky, probably the rockiest trail I’ve ever encountered, so it’s important to have good footwear and biking is not advisable.

Mount Haggin (10,607′) is one of tallest and most iconic peaks of the Anaconda Range towering high over the small town of Anaconda just west of Butte. Despite being a challenging hike that climbs a staggering 5,200′ in over seven miles the route is mostly straightforward. The first section follows an old road, appropriate for biking, up to Hearst Lake which is a great destination on it’s own. Spur trails lead west from the lake up to a small drainage at the foot of Haggin which is followed by a steep scramble up it’s northeast flank. Hearst Lake and the surrounding drainages serve as a water source for the town of Anaconda so camping is prohibited in the area. Since the trailhead is right in the town of Anaconda it can be accessed by any vehicle.

Table Mountain (10,223′) is the highpoint of the Highland Mountains just south of Butte, MT. This is easily within my top five hikes of the area, if not my overall favorite, because of the incredibly scenic ridgwalk and the fact you start at the fairly high elevation of 8,000′. A high clearance vehicle will get you even further up the mountain but the initial section through the woods is simple and still quite scenic. The hike starts with a steady climb along a road up to the Highland Lookout followed by an ascent of Red Mountain and then a ridgewalk all the way to the summit of Table Mountain. Although the net elevation gain is just over 2,000′ you’ll have to go up and over Monument Peak on the way to Table which makes this hike slightly more difficult than it appears. There’s no cover once you’re on the ridge so it’s a good idea to keep tabs on the weather in order to avoid any dangerous situations. There are several side ridges along the way any of which would make excellent side quests.

West Goat Peak (10,793′) is the highpoint of the Anaconda Range (or “Pintlers”) just north of the Big Hole Valley in southwest Montana. It’s a challenging hike that climbs almost 4,500′ of elevation over about seven miles. Luckily the elevation gain is spread out nicely throughout the hike but the trail can be hard to follow at times and is quite tedious for the first five miles which are spent in the trees. The Lost Lakes basin makes it all worth it in the end and it’s a relatively simple scramble from there to the summit. West Goat’s neighbor, East Goat Peak (10,390′), could be easily incorporated into the hike if you’re hungry for more. Getting to the trailhead is a little complicated but the roads are in decent shape and there’s some area to camp near the trailhead.

Sheep Point (10,606′) is the unofficial name for the highpoint of the Henrys Lake Mountains which straddle the Montana-Idaho border just west of West Yellowstone. There are several routes to the summit but the simplest approach is via Sheep Creek. It’s a well established trail that parallels Sheep Creek all the way to Sheep Lake at the base of Sheep Point. From there it’s a formidable, although not technical, off-trail scramble up a steep cirque to the summit. It’s possible to do this as a long day hike but the camping around Sheep Lake is wonderful so I recommend breaking it up into two days. Nearby Coffin Mountain could be done as a side quest and there’s plenty of cool looking terrain on the south side of Sheep Point that would be fun to explore. Quake Lake, just north of the range, is an interesting side attraction if you’re looking for something else to do nearby.

Haystack Mountain (8,819′) is the highpoint of the Boulders Mountains, a large but gentle mountain range just north of Butte, MT. It’s a simple hike that climbs steadily up the well-established Haystack Mountain National Recreation Trail all the way to the top. The road to the trailhead is a bit rugged but if you don’t mind adding up to another mile or so to the hike you can park alongside the road and walk the rest of the way in. What makes the Boulders unique are the numerous granite boulders scattered throughout the range and there’s no shortage of them along this trail. The trail is also suitable for bikes but only for experts.

Ruby Peak (9,391′) is the highpoint of the Ruby Mountains just west of Alder, MT. Although the Rubies aren’t known for their dramatic peaks or pristine lakes you’ll find them to be virtually free of people which makes them an excellent place to escape from society. The hike up Ruby Peak is a surprisingly pleasant considering that you’re covering almost 4,000′ of vertical over just 5 miles. There’s one small section of steep bushwhacking but aside from that the terrain is cakewalk-none of that talus nonsense you tend to encounter on the higher peaks. Even the trailhead is easy to get to being just short and simple drive from Alder, MT. Laurin Peak, the 2nd highest point in the range, is Ruby’s neighbor so you could easily incorporate it into your adventure if you’re hungry for more.

Torrey Mountain (11,147′) is the 2nd highest point in the Pioneer Mountains just northwest of Dillon, MT. It is surpassed only by its slightly larger brother to the north, Tweedy Mountain, which stands a mere 7′ taller. Torrey is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Although the route is fairly obvious the majority of the hike is off-trail and involves scaling numerous talus fields that seem to go on forever. Shade is definitely lacking on this one so take whatever measures are need to stay cool. The access road is well-maintained and the trailhead is located near the Dinner Station Campground which makes for a great base camp to do some additional exploring in the area.

Mount Powell is the highpoint of the Flint Creek Range, a relatively unknown range just west of Deer Lodge, MT along I-90. This one has a nice combination of everything you’d look for in a good adventure. It’s incredibly scenic, there’s a healthy mixture of on-trail and off-trail travel, and there’s even a nice side quest that you can easily incorporate into the day if you’re feeling extra adventurous. The road to the trailhead gets rough in spots so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended although not entirely needed. The trailhead also provides access to Dempsey Basin, a collection of beautiful sub-alpine lakes, which flanks Powell to the southwest. Deer Lodge Mountain is a great side quest which will take you along the edge of giant cirque known as “The Crater”.

Black Butte of the Gravelly Range, southwest of Ennis, MT, is arguably the easiest of the mountain range highpoints in Montana to bag. It’s basically just a giant chuck of volcanic rock jutting through the earth and is somewhat of an anomaly of the Gravelly’s which are mostly just large rolling hills. Don’t let the 10,547′ elevation fool you. Thanks to the numerous roads that pervade the Gravelly’s you’re able to park within about a mile of its summit so you only end up have to ascend 1,250′. If you’re going to venture all the way into the heart of these mountains to summit Black Butte (it’s a 1.5 hr. drive from the highway to the trailhead) I highly recommend a scenic cruise along Gravelly Range Road which heads north-south through the range and offers plenty of additional recreational opportunities.

Mount Edith is the highpoint of the Big Belt Mountains which flank the eastern shores of Canyon Ferry Lake southeast of Helena, MT. The Big Belts aren’t nearly as rugged as some of their neighbors but they’re vast and if you’re looking to do some crowd-free recreating there Mount Edith is a great place to start. Edith doesn’t stand out like many mountain range highpoints, in fact it’s barely visible from the west.  To get a good close-up view you have to travel all the way to the east side of the range near White Sulphur Springs but if you know where to look you can actually get a nice view of it in the distance from right here in Bozeman. Getting to the trailhead involves some long and windy dirt roads but the trail itself is in great shape. There’s a short off-trail section near the end but the terrain is easily navigable. Side quests include Mount Baldy, Edith’s neighbor and 2nd highest point in the range, and Edith Lake which would be a great backpacking destination.

Swamp Lake is an elusive subalpline lake right at the southeastern corner of the Crazies that sees relatively little traffic since the road to the trailhead lies on private property. You must get permission from the owner to use the road which is gated at the edge of the property boundary (contact the Yellowstone Ranger District). From the gate it’s a 3.6 mile drive along a dirt road to the trailhead. The trail to Swamp Lake is fairly simple, covering only 2.2 miles over 1000′, but views are limited along the way. The views at the lake, however, are excellent and there are plenty of areas to pitch a tent although firewood is lacking. A saddle further west makes for a nice side hike and provides access to the surrounding ridges. An unnamed lake to the north can also be bushwhacked to and opens up a whole new world of adventurous opportunities.

Glacier Lake can technically be accessed from many of the trailheads in the Crazies but the Big Timber Creek Trail is the most popular approach. The lake lies at 8700’ for a net elevation gain of 2200’ over 7.6 miles but a 10,000’ saddle must be crossed to get there which substantially increases the difficulty of the hike. The trail climbs gradually towards Twin Lakes, a great, albeit popular camping spot, and increases in steepness as you switchback up the saddle followed by a sharp decent down to the lake. The Eagle Park trailhead on the northeast side of the Crazies may provide an easier approach since you don’t have to cross the saddle. Those thirsting for more adventure might consider bagging Conical Peak along the way. It’s a class 3 scramble that covers and additional ~1/4 mile over 700′ of elevation.

The Hogback is a four mile long “hogback” ridge running east-west in the northwestern corner of Paradise Valley, about 10 miles south of Livingston, and can be easily accessed by a parking lot only a couple of miles to the west of Highway 89. The trail starts at 4800′ as a steep, switchback-free climb up the east end of the ridge before leveling out and following a series of humps until peaking at about 6500′. Being that there’s no real “end” to the trail it can be customized to your liking or ability and the views of Paradise Valley and surrounding mountains are just fantastic regardless of how far you go. It melts out fairly early making it ideal for springtime hiking if you’re willing to drive a little extra distance and there’s probably descent winter access as well. All in all it’s a really fun hike appropriate for all skill levels with plenty of revisit value.

The Spanish Peaks house some of the most pristine mountain lakes around and if you’re willing to venture deep within the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Mirror Lake is an excellent option for a first overnight in the area. Unlike many other “local” hotspots, the access point is reasonably close to Bozeman and the road is in great shape. The trail itself, while not out of this world, has its moments; it snakes along with the South Fork Spanish Creek through a thick subalpine forest and is followed by a steep climb up to the lake for a grand total of 2400′ over 7.5 gut-wrenching miles. The grandeur of the lake makes it all worth it in the end though. Sharp mountain ridges tightly cradle this beautiful subalpine lake which sits at 8400′ at the base of Blaze Mountain. Plus there’s plenty of fire-restriction-free camping along the lake and many additional areas to explore for the adventurous folk.

Hardscrabble Peak is the second highest peak along the Bridger Ridge and is located just north of the infamous Sacajawea Peak. It’s accessible from several angles but the simplest approach is from Fairy Lake. Simply follow the Sacajawea trail up to the pass and head north rather than south. It’s similar in difficulty to Sacajawea but often overlooked by newer hikers so there’s a good chance the final stretch will be traffic-free. A 9500′ unnamed peak, referred to as Pomp Peak by some and often mistaken for Hardscrabble, can be bagged along the way without too much additional effort which I highly recommend. Many mountain ranges are visible from the summit of Hardscrabble and you could probably go further north along the ridge if you were daring enough. In general, I feel this hike is far superior to Sacajawea offering greater thrills, better views, and less traffic.

Island lake, located at the northeastern edge of the Beartooth Mountains, provides a variety of unique views and offers a chance to escape the crowds associated with Mystic Lake. It’s also one of the easiest lakes to get to considering the remoteness of the region and the abundance of adequate campsites around the lake makes it a backpacker’s paradise. The trail starts out mostly flat, gains steepness during the approach to Mystic Lake, and then flattens out again as it follows the southern shore of the lake. Even the Mystic Lake hydroelectric dam, which provides Billings with electricity, I found intriguing despite being a “scar” on the land. One could easily establish a base camp at either lake and hike to a number of locations including the Mystic Equinox Tower or the Froze-to-Death Plateau, home of the tallest point in Montana, Granite Peak.

The North Dry Creek Trail (Trail 132) roughly follows Dry Creek through the northeast Gallatins and provides a scenic, crowd-free experience just a short distance from Bozeman. After an initial climb into the Gallatin foothills the trail winds through golden meadows ripe with wildflowers before entering the burn zone of the 2001 Fridley Fire, which is clearly on the road to recovery. A 9000′ unnamed mountain (I call Flathead Mountain) about seven miles in makes for a great destination but as there’s no termination point for this trail feel free to customize it to your liking and ability. The views, especially of Paradise Valley and the Absarokas, are exceptional due to the openness of this hike. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen on a sunny day to combat the heat since there’s very little shade along the way.

Granite Lake is one of four lakes, accessible via the Blue Lake Trail, to the northwest of Crazy Peak, the tallest mountain in the Crazies. The Big Timber Creek trailhead is one of the few access points to the Crazies and is therefore a popular destination for locals. It is, nonetheless, a worthwhile trip if you can deal with the crowds. The first half of the trail is spent in the shadow of Big Timber Peak to the south. It’s a gradual uphill climb and passes several gorgeous waterfalls. This is followed by a fairly steep ascent to an overlook above Granite Lake. There’s a decent number of campsites around Granite Lake and the adjacent Blue Lake. Either lake could be used as a base camp for those wanting to summit Crazy Peak. It will take some bushwhacking to get to Pear Lake or Druckmiller Lake but either could be done if you’re willing to put in the effort. If heading to Pear Lake do not try to climb straight up the drainage. The creek, although flowing, is covered with a thick sheet of snow (that apparently lasts all year) making the traverse extremely dangerous.

Mount Blackmore, accessible from Hyalite Canyon in the Gallatin Range, is one of the tallest peaks visible from Bozeman and a popular summit to bag for locals; a must for any Bozemanite who’s fit enough. It’s a very straight-forward hike with no surprises. You head up a drainage to a cirque, climb a saddle, and follow the ridge directly to the summit without even a slight scramble. The summit provides an alternate view of the Hyalite area and offers a unique view of the Gallatin range to the south. The hike’s not nearly as challenging as it appears which was a bit of a let-down for me. Aside from a couple of steeper sections it’s basically just a stroll through the woods. Additionally, the amount of traffic was perplexing. It’s the kind of hike you’ll see people doing just for exercise so you can forget about having any alone time, at least in the summer. I think it’d be more interesting to head towards Elephant Mountain at the saddle and explore that side of the ridge.

Sacajawea Peak (or just “Sac”), towering at 9650 ft., is the tallest peak in the Bridger Range and provides some of the most easily-accessible, high-elevation views in the area. It’s a classic hike for locals and surprisingly the easiest peak to bag in the Bridgers making it perfect for beginner alpine adventurers. The trail climbs steadily from the Fairy Lake area up to Sacajawea Pass and continues south culminating with a simple scramble up to the rocky summit. Many nearby mountain ranges are visible from the summit and the view of the Bridgers to the south is exceptional. Mountain goats just love the rocks around Sac so there’s a good chance you’ll get a glimpse of one. For those seeking a little more adventure the nearby Naya Nuki peak can be accessed via a spur trail that splits off just before the final scramble up Sac. Hardscrabble can also be accessed by heading north, rather than south, at Sacajawea Pass.

Just to the east of Bozeman, perched on the northern edge of Chestnut Mountain and acting as the guardian of Bozeman Pass, is Frog Rock. Although this massive limestone rock formation mainly attracts climbers a short and simple spur trail that branches off the Chestnut Mountain trail leads to a neat overlook near the butt of the frog providing unique views of the pass and Gallatin Valley. The trail climbs only 500′ over 2.3 miles making it accessible to even the most novice of hikers. Technical climbing skills are required to make it beyond the overlook but the top of the frog may be accessible by following the Chestnut Mountain trail further and then backtracking along the ridge.

Livingston Peak towers at 9300′ to the southeast of Livingston and is kind of like Baldy’s sister peak, being similar in size, shape, and terrain. The trail roughly follows Lost Creek through West Baldy Basin and covers 3000′ of vertical over just 4 miles. 2000′ of that elevation is covered in the last mile so you can expect flat followed by some serious climbing. It can also be accessed from the east via East Baldy Basin but I’ve not taken this approach and cannot comment on the state of the trail. It’s a fun hike that can be done relatively quickly for experienced hikers and probably melts out much earlier than the other peaks of the Absarokas. The views from the top are stellar and give you a feel for the vastness of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.

Ross Pass is a broad, easily recognizable saddle that marks the halfway point between the northern and southern ends of the Bridger Range. The simplest approach is from the Middle Fork Brackett trailhead on the east side of the range. It’s an easy trail with minimal elevation gain and exceptional views making it perfect for an evening or half-day hike. One could spend hours relaxing on the saddle, which is lush with grasses and wildflowers, or exploring the surrounding terrain which includes Ross Peak, the gnarliest peak in the Bridgers and popular climbing spot for locals. The peak towers an additional 1400′ above the saddle to the north and the up-close views are truly awe-inspiring.

The northwest end of the Crazies offers some of the most fantastic hiking around and the Sunlight Ridge Trail is possibly the most exhilarating hike I’ve been on. The trail, which is very well maintained, leads you through a flat, heavily forested area before ascending Sunlight Ridge, passing through a number gorgeous sub-alpine meadows along the way. The last segment of trail is completely exposed, hugging the side of the ridge and leading to the saddle that separates Sunlight Peak and Tabletop Mountain (unofficial name). Sunlight Peak does not appear to be climbable without ropes but you can easily scramble up the Tabletop for an excellent view of the razor-sharp ridges and glacially carved U-shaped valleys which, in my opinion, define the Crazies. Camping is also available at Sunlight Lake if it’s late enough in the year.

Baldy Mountain is the first high point along the Bridger Ridge and is a true icon of Bozeman. It’s easily the most popular peak to summit for locals and therefore accessible almost all year round. What most people don’t realize, however, is that the true summit lies about a mile beyond and 200 feet above this “false” Baldy. Nonetheless, it’s still a monster of a hike climbing 3700 ft of elevation over just 4 miles. There’re several serious uphill sections each separated by some flat as you follow the ridgeline. The false summit is marked by a rod and offers an incredible 360 degree view of the area. There’s also an ammo box with a log book so be sure to sign your name, especially if it’s your first time. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to hike a bit of the ridge you can proceed to the real summit about a mile ahead. Take it slow on the way down as the trail lacks good footing and can do a number on the knees. The summit can also be accessed from a different angle via Sypes Canyon. It’s a less popular alternative that’s similar in difficulty but spreads the elevation gain out more evenly throughout the hike.