Montana · Hiking

Flower Bypass

3.9 mi
round trip
469 ft
climb
3,098 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Flower Bypass open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name Flower Bypass, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Flower Bypass is a 3.9-mile out-and-back hike in the Libby Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail runs from the Flower Bypass TH 134 parking area, and the route rises from a low point of about 2,639 feet to a high of about 3,098 feet, with an elevation gain of 469 feet. It is a moderate hike, and the trail surface is natural. Bikes are allowed, so the trail works for both hikers and riders. The open season runs from May 1 to November 30. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Libby weather station run to highs around 69°F in May and 72°F in September, though that station sits roughly 950 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the climb run cooler. Nearby options include the Tongue Dragger and Jeresek Park cross-country ski areas, about 1.3 to 1.4 miles away, and the Shorty's Loop mountain biking route, also about 1.4 miles off. The Libby Area, about 4.2 miles away, offers river fishing.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Flower Bypass

    Best months: May–June and August–October. 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° / 21°

    2. Feb

      37° / 21°

    3. Mar

      48° / 26°

    4. Apr

      58° / 31°

    5. May

      69° / 39°

    6. Jun

      76° / 45°

    7. Jul

      87° / 49°

    8. Aug

      84° / 48°

    9. Sep

      72° / 40°

    10. Oct

      55° / 32°

    11. Nov

      38° / 27°

    12. Dec

      31° / 21°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Libby, MT, 2.9 mi away at 2,140 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.