Montana · Hiking

East Bridger South

East Bridger SouthPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
8.9 mi
loop
726 ft
climb
6,810 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is East Bridger South open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name East Bridger South, 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.

East Bridger South is a hard loop hike in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest, within the Bozeman Ranger District. The trail is about 9 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 726 feet, and it rises from a low point of about 5,787 feet to a high of about 6,810 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced, with horses and bikes both allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 79°F with lows in the mid-40s, while winter highs stay near freezing. That station sits about 950 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The hike takes about 3.5 hours, and it is open year-round. Raptor View and Bridger Bowl are both about 1.4 miles away, and the Lower Replica climbing area is about 2.9 miles off. For an overnight stay, Battle Ridge Cabin is about 5.4 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 East Bridger South

    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

      33° / 14°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 13°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 20°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 26°

      9 wet

    5. May

      59° / 34°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 41°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 46°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 44°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 38°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 29°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 20°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 13°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wilsall 8 Ene, MT, 25.4 mi away at 5,865 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.

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