Montana · Hiking · Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

East Fork Boulder

16.9 mi
round trip
3,699 ft
climb
8,585 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is East Fork Boulder open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yellowstone Ranger District. It doesn't name East Fork Boulder, so check the source for the area it covers (13 listed).

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

East Fork Boulder is a hard hike in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, part of the Yellowstone Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. The route is an out-and-back of about 17 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 3,699 feet, from a low point of about 6,649 feet to a high of about 8,585 feet. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed, while bikes are not. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Silver Gate, which sits about 1,100 feet lower than the high point, show July highs around 74°F with lows near 40°F, while winter highs there stay in the 20s. The trail is open year-round, and the parking area is named Box Canyon. Several other hikes start close by, including Rainbow Creek, Independence and Lake Columbine, all within about 2 miles. For an overnight base, Hicks Park campground is about 5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit East Fork Boulder

    Best months: June–August. 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

      27° / 3°

    2. Feb

      30° / 5°

    3. Mar

      39° / 12°

    4. Apr

      44° / 20°

    5. May

      55° / 29°

    6. Jun

      65° / 35°

    7. Jul

      74° / 40°

    8. Aug

      73° / 37°

    9. Sep

      64° / 30°

    10. Oct

      50° / 23°

    11. Nov

      33° / 12°

    12. Dec

      24° / 2°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Silver Gate, MT, 18.7 mi away at 7,495 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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.