Montana · Hiking · Near Emigrant

Kirk Hill

Kirk HillPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
4.0 mi
round trip
769 ft
climb
7,060 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Kirk Hill is a 4-mile out-and-back hike in Montana, about 3 miles from the town of Patterson. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is rated moderate, with a total elevation gain of 769 feet from the low point at 5,640 feet to the high at 7,060 feet. The trail is on natural surface, and the Forest Service records show bikes and horses are not allowed. That makes it a straightforward foot hike, and the climb is spread across the 4-mile round trip. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Big Sky show July highs around 78°F with lows near 41°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and 30s. Leverich Canyon is less than a mile away, and Lower Hyalite and Fr 3159 The End Of Moser Road 6212 167 are both about a mile off. Climbers can head to Raspberry Boulder, roughly 2 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    End Road West Above Hodgeman

    Campground

    Campground · 0.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Blacksmith Italian

    Restaurant

    Open after 6

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Local outfitters

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  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Kirk Hill

    Best months: July–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

      30° / 9°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 9°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 17°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 23°

      11 wet

    5. May

      58° / 30°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      67° / 36°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 41°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 39°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 33°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 25°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      37° / 16°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 9°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Sky 2wnw, MT, 24.8 mi away at 6,590 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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