Montana · Hiking

Calf Mountain

Calf MountainPhoto: Sam Beebe, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.4 mi
round trip
495 ft
climb
5,804 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Calf Mountain open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Rocky Mountain Ranger District.

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

Calf Mountain is an easy, out-and-back hike in Montana's Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, within the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. The trail is about 2.4 miles long, rising roughly 500 feet from a low point of about 5,300 feet to a high of about 5,800 feet. It is managed by the Forest Service. The route is natural-surfaced, and the trail is accessible to hikers, riders and horses. Biking and horseback riding are both allowed, and the trail is not accessible for people with mobility challenges. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at E Glacier show July and August highs around 74°F with lows in the mid-40s. That station sits about 1,000 feet below the high point, so temperatures on top run cooler. The trail stays open year-round, and the surrounding area has plenty to pair with it. High Water 101.1B is a mountain biking route just 0.3 miles away, and Summit Campground is about 4 miles off. Paddlers can reach the South Fork Two Medicine River at about 4 miles, and Challenge Cabin is about 6 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Calf Mountain

    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

      30° / 13°

    2. Feb

      30° / 13°

    3. Mar

      37° / 19°

    4. Apr

      46° / 27°

    5. May

      56° / 34°

    6. Jun

      64° / 41°

    7. Jul

      74° / 46°

    8. Aug

      74° / 44°

    9. Sep

      63° / 38°

    10. Oct

      50° / 29°

    11. Nov

      36° / 22°

    12. Dec

      29° / 15°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at E Glacier, MT, 10.2 mi away at 4,806 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.