Bobtail
- 5.2 mi
- round trip
- 1,188 ft
- climb
- 5,827 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Bobtail open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name Bobtail, so check the source for the area it covers.
Kootenai Flood Event & Inaccessible Areas
Agency closure covering Kootenai National Forest · USFS · Kootenai National Forest
Updated Skillet Fire Area, Road, Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Kootenai National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Kootenai National Forest
Trail Advisory-Alexander Mountain Trail near Timber Harvest Activities
Agency alert covering Libby Ranger District · USFS · Libby Ranger District
Timberlane Campground Closure
Agency alert covering Libby Ranger District · Order 01-14-05-26-03 · USFS · Libby Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Kootenai National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Bobtail is a 5.2-mile out-and-back hike on natural-surface trails in the Libby Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is rated moderate with an elevation gain of 1,188 feet. The trail starts at about 4,480 feet and reaches a high point of roughly 5,827 feet. Bikes are allowed, so the route works for both hikers and riders. The open season runs from May 1 to November 30. Nearby, Mount Tom and Tom Poole Lake are both within 2 miles, and Loon Lake Campground is about 3 miles away. For paddling, Pipe Creek is about 3.4 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Kootenai River Campground14 mi away
- Indian Springs Montana36 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: waterarchives, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Kootenai Creek
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3.85-mile loop trail in Montana with 1,900 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Tony Webster — CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Timberlane
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Mount Tom
~3 min drive
8.38-mile out-and-back trail to Mount Tom in Montana with 1,814 ft of elevation gain.
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GARDEN RIDGE SNOMOBILE SPUR
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Pulpit Mountain Spur
~14 min drive
0.7-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 348 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: Arbron, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Bighorn Trail #42
~17 min drive
2.52-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,331 ft elevation gain
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Tom Poole Lake
~3 min drive
0.95-mile out-and-back trail to Tom Poole Lake in Montana with 336 ft of elevation gain.
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Shafer
~4 min drive
13.97-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,026 ft elevation gain.
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Pipe Divide
~15 min drive
9.33-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,465 ft elevation gain.
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Sheldon Mountain Tie J
~17 min drive
0.64-mile out-and-back trail on Sheldon Mountain with 212 ft gain.
Route details
- Distance
- 5.2 mi round trip
- Climbing
- About 1,188 ft
- Summit
- 5,833 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Time
- About 2.5 hours
Other routes up Mount Tom
Questions about this route
How long is the Bobtail on Mount Tom?
About 5.2 mi round trip.
How much elevation gain is on the Bobtail?
About 1,188 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Bobtail?
It is rated moderate.
How long does the Bobtail take?
About 2.5 hours round trip.
How many routes go up Mount Tom?
2: Mount Tom and Bobtail.
Conditions and forecast on Mount Tom
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
