Elk Mountain
- 6.8 mi
- round trip
- 1,005 ft
- climb
- 6,627 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Elk Mountain open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name Elk Mountain, so check the source for the area it covers.
Kootenai Flood Event & Inaccessible Areas
Agency closure covering Kootenai National Forest · USFS · Kootenai National Forest
Updated Skillet Fire Area, Road, Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Kootenai National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Kootenai National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Kootenai National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Elk Mountain is a hard hike in Montana's Kootenai National Forest, within the Fortine Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back route of about 6.8 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,005 feet, starting at trailhead 107 on the Elk Mountain trail. The trailhead sits at about 5,043 feet, and the high point on the mountain reaches about 6,627 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open from June 1 through October 31. Bikes and horses are both allowed, and the trail surface is natural. Plan for a serious day on foot. The climb is a steady one, and the trip works best as a single outing rather than a day with other destinations. Bowen Lake is about a mile away, and Elk Patrol is about 1.4 miles off. Elk Basin is roughly 3.6 miles away, and Davis Creek is about 4.6 miles from the trailhead.
Local outfitters
- Indian Springs Montana31 mi away
- Rocky Mountain Outfitter34 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
BOWEN LAKE
~2 min drive
1.5-mile out-and-back trail to Bowen Lake in Montana with 379 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Elk Patrol
~2 min drive
6.59-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,073 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Weigel Creek
~9 min drive
9.41-mile out-and-back trail at Weigel Creek in Montana with 406 ft gain.
HIKE
Davis Creek
~8 min drive
2.50-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 696 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Elk Basin
~6 min drive
5.72-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 618 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Davis Mtn
~9 min drive
11.32-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,380 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Dunsire Pass
~11 min drive
1.15-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 389 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
South Fork Fivemile
~14 min drive
4.45-mile out-and-back trail on the South Fork Fivemile in Montana.
HIKE
Warland Ridge
~9 min drive
18.96-mile out-and-back trail on a ridge in Montana with 3,054 ft gain.
HIKE
Boundary Mountain
~19 min drive
1.33-mile out-and-back trail at Boundary Mountain in Montana with 452 ft gain.
Also worth it near here
Route details
- Distance
- 6.8 mi round trip
- Climbing
- About 1,005 ft
- Starts at
- ELK MOUNTAIN TH 107 (about 5,440 ft)
- Summit
- 6,594 ft
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Time
- About 3 hours
Getting there
Park at ELK MOUNTAIN TH 107.
Other routes up Elk Mountain
Questions about this route
How long is the Elk Mountain on Elk Mountain?
About 6.8 mi round trip from ELK MOUNTAIN TH 107 (about 5,440 ft).
How much elevation gain is on the Elk Mountain?
About 1,005 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Elk Mountain?
It is rated hard.
Where does the Elk Mountain start?
ELK MOUNTAIN TH 107 (about 5,440 ft).
How long does the Elk Mountain take?
About 3 hours round trip.
How many routes go up Elk Mountain?
2: Elk Mountain and Elk Patrol.
Conditions and forecast on Elk Mountain
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
