Montana · Hiking

Carpenter

1.3 mi
round trip
631 ft
climb
5,927 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Carpenter 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.

Carpenter is an easy out-and-back hike in the Townsend Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana, about 1.3 miles long with a one-way climb of 631 feet. The trail starts at a low point of about 5,310 feet and reaches a high of about 5,927 feet, and it is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Adel, which sits about 900 feet lower, show July and August highs around 78°F with lows in the mid-40s. Winter is cold, with January highs near 36°F and lows around 14°F. The trail is on natural surface and bikes are allowed. Bar Gulch Cabin is about 2.5 miles away, and Hellgate Ridge is about 1.7 miles off. Climbers can find Hellgate Gulch about 3.4 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 Carpenter

    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, 22 mi away at 5,017 ft. The station sits about 900 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.