Montana · Hiking

Kreis Pond Orange Loop

3.9 mi
round trip
282 ft
climb
3,895 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 18 h ago

Is Kreis Pond Orange Loop open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Lolo National Forest.

  • East Fork Big Creek Road & Trail Closure- Superior Ranger District

    Agency alert covering Lolo National Forest · Order 26-003- · USFS · Lolo National Forest

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

Kreis Pond Orange Loop is a 3.9-mile out-and-back hike in the Ninemile Ranger District of Lolo National Forest in western Montana, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 3,600 feet to a high point of 3,895 feet, with a total elevation gain of 282 feet, and is rated moderate. The route is natural-surfaced and open to bikes, so it works for hikers and mountain bikers alike. Kreis Pond Campground sits about 0.2 miles away, and the Kreis Pond Red Loop and Kreis Pond Green Loop are also within a short distance, making it easy to pair this route with another loop. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Alberton weather station show July highs around 87°F with lows near 49°F, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days from December through February. The station sits about 835 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. The trail is open year-round, and the surrounding area offers more to explore. Kreis Pond Blue Loop and Kreis Pond Yellow Loop are each about half a mile away, and the Grand Menard Envir Discovery mountain biking area is roughly 1.9 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Kreis Pond Orange Loop

    Best months: June and September–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

      35° / 18°

      14 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 20°

      12 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      49° / 24°

      14 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      58° / 30°

      13 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      68° / 38°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 44°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 49°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 47°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 40°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 30°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 24°

      13 wet · 5 snow

    12. Dec

      33° / 19°

      14 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Alberton, MT, 7.2 mi away at 3,060 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.