Montana · Hiking

Gorge Bypass

Gorge BypassPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
0.7 mi
loop
394 ft
climb
5,507 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Gorge Bypass open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Beartooth Ranger District. It doesn't name Gorge Bypass, so check the source for the area it covers (14 listed).

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

Gorge Bypass is a short loop hike in the Beartooth Ranger District of Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest, about 0.7 miles long. It's a low-elevation outing, with a total climb of 394 feet from a low point of about 5,186 feet to a high of about 5,507 feet. The trail is rated easy, and it works well as a quick stop or a link between the Stillwater River and Woodbine Campground, both of which sit within about half a mile. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 72°F in June to about 83°F in July and August, and the trail is open from June 1 to September 30. Winters are cold, with January highs near 40°F and regular snow days from December through March. Horses are allowed, and bikes are not. The Stillwater parking area is the trailhead, and the loop fits easily into a half day. Woodbine Falls is about 0.7 miles away, and Rabbit Gulch and Stillwater Plateau are within about 4 miles.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Gorge Bypass

    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

      40° / 19°

      5 wet · 4 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 18°

      5 wet · 4 snow

    3. Mar

      48° / 25°

      7 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      55° / 30°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      63° / 37°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      72° / 43°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 48°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 47°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 40°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 33°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      46° / 26°

      6 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      38° / 19°

      5 wet · 4 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Nye #2, MT, 7.5 mi away at 4,840 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Stillwater RiverPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Woodbine FallsPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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