Montana · Hiking

Bear Gulch

4.8 mi
round trip
1,893 ft
climb
6,325 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 23 h ago

Is Bear Gulch open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Bitterroot National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Bitterroot National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bear Gulch is a hard hike of about 4.8 miles on the Darby Ranger District of Montana's Bitterroot National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is a natural-surfaced out-and-back that climbs from about 4,429 feet to roughly 6,325 feet, with an elevation gain of 1,893 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 81°F with lows near 40°F and fewer wet days, and temperatures up high run cooler than that station's figures. Black Bear Campground sits about 1.6 miles away, and Skalkaho Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 1.5 miles off. Black Bear Point is about 2.3 miles away, and Gird Point campground is about 3.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Bear Gulch

    Best months: June–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.

    1. Jan

      31° / 10°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 12°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 25°

      13 wet

    5. May

      61° / 32°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 37°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 40°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 38°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 32°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 26°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 18°

      13 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 10°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sula 14 Ne, MT, 20.2 mi away at 5,155 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.