Montana · Hiking

Kreis Pond Red Loop

14.6 mi
loop
1,035 ft
climb
4,198 ft
high point
Loop
route
Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Kreis Pond Red 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 Red Loop is a hard loop hike in Montana's Lolo National Forest, within the Ninemile Ranger District. The route is about 14.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 1,035 feet, and it rises from a low point of about 3,096 feet to a high of about 4,198 feet. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and has a natural surface, and it is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Alberton weather station show July highs around 87°F and only about six wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the low to mid 30s and regular snow. The trip takes about 5.5 hours. The Grand Menard Envir Discovery hike and the Grand Menard Short Loop mountain bike route are each under a mile away. Kreis Pond Campground and the Kreis Pond Green Loop are both about 2.6 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 Red 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, 5.8 mi away at 3,060 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.