Montana · Hiking

Beartrap

8.8 mi
round trip
2,106 ft
climb
6,630 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Beartrap open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Beartrap is a hard hike of about 8.8 miles in the Helena Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in western Montana. The trail climbs from a low point of about 4,400 feet to a high of about 6,600 feet, a gain of roughly 2,100 feet, and it runs out and back rather than as a loop. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surface and not accessible. Bikes are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July and August highs reach about 78°F with lows in the mid-40s, according to averages from a nearby weather station in Adel. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The trail is open from about May 15 through October 31. Vigilante Campground sits about 0.7 miles away, and Trout Creek Canyon is about 1.4 miles off. Magpie Gulch and Indian Flats Cabin are both within about 3.7 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Beartrap

    Best months: May–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

      36° / 14°

    2. Feb

      37° / 14°

    3. Mar

      43° / 21°

    4. Apr

      50° / 27°

    5. May

      58° / 35°

    6. Jun

      67° / 42°

    7. Jul

      78° / 47°

    8. Aug

      78° / 46°

    9. Sep

      68° / 39°

    10. Oct

      53° / 31°

    11. Nov

      42° / 23°

    12. Dec

      33° / 15°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Adel, MT, 16.5 mi away at 5,017 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.