Montana · Hiking

Chaffin

3.0 mi
round trip
573 ft
climb
5,261 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May, Jul–Sep
best months

Is Chaffin open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Lolo National Forest.

  • East Fork Big Creek Road & Trail Closure- Superior Ranger District

    Agency alert covering Lolo National Forest · Order 26-003- · USFS · Lolo National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Lolo National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Chaffin is a 3-mile out-and-back hike in the Seeley Lake Ranger District of Lolo National Forest in western Montana, about 5 miles from Seeley Lake. The trail rises from a low point of 4,691 feet to a high point of 5,261 feet, with an elevation gain of 573 feet one way, and it is rated easy. The route is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The parking area is at the Pyramid Pass Trailhead, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Seeley Lake, which sits about 1,200 feet lower, put July and August highs around 83°F with lows in the low 40s and only six to eight wet days a month. Winter is cold, with January highs near freezing. Several other outings lie close by. Crescent Pass Trail #390 is about 1.4 miles away, and Morrell Falls is about 1.8 miles off. The Big Larch Campground Complex and Seeley Lake Campground Complex are both within about 6 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May, Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Chaffin

    Best months: May and July–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

      32° / 12°

      15 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 13°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 20°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 27°

      11 wet

    5. May

      65° / 34°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 41°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 44°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 43°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 36°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 29°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 13°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Seeley Lake Rs, MT, 5 mi away at 4,100 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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.