Ashley Creek
Photo: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 7.7 mi
- round trip
- 2,096 ft
- climb
- 5,062 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jul–Sep
- best months
Is Ashley Creek open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists an alert for Lolo National Forest.
East Fork Big Creek Road & Trail Closure- Superior Ranger District
Agency alert covering Lolo National Forest · Order 26-003- · USFS · Lolo National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Lolo National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Ashley Creek is a hard hike in the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District of Lolo National Forest in western Montana, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 7.7 miles, with a one-way climb of about 2,100 feet from a low point near 2,970 feet to a high point around 5,060 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mullan Pass show July and August highs around 70°F with only about six wet days a month, while winter highs stay in the upper 20s. Bikes are allowed on the trail, and the surface is natural. The Thompson Falls Fitness Trail and T. Falls Fitness West Loop are both within about 2 miles. Copper King Campground, about 5 miles away, is the closest place to camp.
Local outfitters
- CDA River RV49 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Jul–Sep
Best time to visit Ashley Creek
Best months: July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
28° / 19°
19 wet
Feb
28° / 19°
17 wet
Mar
34° / 22°
19 wet
Apr
40° / 27°
17 wet
May
50° / 36°
15 wet
Jun
58° / 42°
13 wet
Jul
70° / 52°
6 wet
Aug
69° / 51°
6 wet
Sep
59° / 44°
8 wet
Oct
44° / 32°
13 wet
Nov
32° / 23°
17 wet
Dec
27° / 18°
18 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mullan Pass Vor/Dme, ID, 19.2 mi away at 6,028 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
T. Falls Fitness West Loop
~3 min drive
0.60-mile loop trail in Montana with 25 ft of elevation gain.
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Thompson Falls Fitness Trail
~4 min drive
4.40-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 90 ft of elevation gain.
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Sqaylth-Kwum Creek
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KOO KOO SINT RIDGE
~7 min drive
6.96-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 5,748 ft elevation gain
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GOAT LAKES CONNECTOR
~5 min drive
1.3-mile out-and-back trail with 820 ft elevation gain in Montana
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CAMP CREEK
~12 min drive
5.94-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,211 ft elevation gain
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Silcox-Headley
~4 min drive
30.46-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,582 ft elevation gain.
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TABLE TOP MOUNTAIN
~12 min drive
15.14-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 4,922 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Arrowhead Lake
~9 min drive
0.37-mile out-and-back trail to Arrowhead Lake in Montana.
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South Fork Four Lakes Creek
~12 min drive
5.47-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,634 ft gain.
