Montana · Hiking

Bridger Ridge

12.3 mi
loop
6,408 ft
climb
9,610 ft
high point
Loop
route

Is Bridger Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name Bridger Ridge, so check the source for the area it covers (16 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Bozeman Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bridger Ridge is a hard, 12.3-mile loop in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest, within the Bozeman Ranger District. The trail rises from a low point of about 5,000 feet to a high of 9,610 feet, with a total elevation gain of 6,408 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is a loop, so the climb is the same for the whole trip. Plan on about 7.5 hours for the hike. The ridge makes a natural anchor for a longer outing. College M and the College M Shortcut are both within half a mile, and Bridger Foothills is a short distance away. Paddlers can reach the East Gallatin River about 3 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

College MPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

College M

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Bridger FoothillsPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bridger Foothills

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Sypes CanyonPhoto: Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis from Washington, DC, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sypes Canyon

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New World GulchPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

New World Gulch

~16 min drive

11.04-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,025 ft gain.

College M ShortcutPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

College M Shortcut

Next door

0.44-mile out-and-back trail with 433 ft elevation gain in Montana.

East Bridger SouthPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

East Bridger South

~11 min drive

East Bridger South is an 8.94-mile loop in Montana with 726 ft gain.

Middle Cottonwood TrailPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Middle Cottonwood Trail

~6 min drive

2.12-mile out-and-back hike in Montana with 552 ft gain and 5,999 ft max elevation.

HIKE

Bangtail Divide Trail

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25.44-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 4,227 ft elevation gain and 7,943 ft max elevation.

Drinking Horse MountainPhoto: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Drinking Horse Mountain

~1 min drive

1.76-mile loop to Drinking Horse Mountain summit in Montana with 1,111 ft gain.

Chestnut MountainPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Chestnut Mountain

~12 min drive

14.50-mile out-and-back trail at Chestnut Mountain in Montana

Route details

Distance
12.3 mi
Climbing
About 6,408 ft
Starts at
ROSS PASS (about 6,211 ft)
Summit
9,587 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 7.5 hours

Getting there

Park at ROSS PASS.

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Bridger Ridge on Naya Nuki Peak?

About 12.3 mi from ROSS PASS (about 6,211 ft).

How much elevation gain is on the Bridger Ridge?

About 6,408 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Bridger Ridge?

It is rated hard.

Where does the Bridger Ridge start?

ROSS PASS (about 6,211 ft).

How long does the Bridger Ridge take?

About 7.5 hours round trip.

When is the best time for the Bridger Ridge?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Naya Nuki Peak

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.