Montana · Hiking

Lodgepole

3.4 mi
round trip
961 ft
climb
7,176 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Lodgepole open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yellowstone Ranger District. It doesn't name Lodgepole, so check the source for the area it covers (13 listed).

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

Lodgepole is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Yellowstone Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana, about 3.4 miles long with a one-way climb of 961 feet. The trail starts at a low point of about 6,640 feet and reaches a high of about 7,176 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Mystic Lake weather station, which sits a few hundred feet lower, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 50°F, while winter highs stay in the low to mid 30s. Several other hikes lie within a few miles, including Telegraph Creek and Dead Indian, both under 2.5 miles away, and Derby Mountain at about 3.6 miles. For an overnight stay, Meyers Creek Cabin is about 3.7 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Lodgepole

    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

      34° / 18°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 17°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 22°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 27°

      12 wet

    5. May

      57° / 35°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 43°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 50°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 50°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      65° / 42°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 32°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 24°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      33° / 18°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mystic Lake, MT, 23.6 mi away at 6,544 ft. The station sits about 600 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.

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Initial CreekPhoto: Jstuby at en.wikipedia, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Rabbit Gulch Trailhead SpurPhoto: Jstuby at en.wikipedia, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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

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