Montana · Hiking

Cold Spring Hill

5.3 mi
round trip
1,664 ft
climb
6,771 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Cold Spring Hill open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Bitterroot National Forest.

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

Cold Spring Hill is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Darby Ranger District of Montana's Bitterroot National Forest, about 5 miles from the town of Darby. The trail rises from a low point of about 4,800 feet to a high of roughly 6,770 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 1,660 feet over a route of about 5.3 miles. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 81°F with lows near 40°F and the fewest wet days of the year, about eight each month. That station sits roughly 1,600 feet below the summit, so temperatures on the hill run cooler. Bald Top and Sleeping Child are both within half a mile, and Sleeping Child Creek offers paddling about a mile away. Black Bear Campground, about 6 miles off, is the closest place to camp.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Cold Spring Hill

    Best months: June–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

      31° / 10°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 12°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 25°

      13 wet

    5. May

      61° / 32°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 37°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 40°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 38°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 32°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 26°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 18°

      13 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 10°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sula 14 Ne, MT, 18.6 mi away at 5,155 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.