Montana · Hiking · Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness · Near Emigrant

Low Specimen

23.2 mi
round trip
976 ft
climb
9,008 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Aug
best months

Is Low Specimen open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Custer Gallatin National Forest. It doesn't name Low Specimen, so check the source for the area it covers (14 listed).

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

Low Specimen is a 23.2-mile out-and-back hike in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, on the Gardiner Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest. The trail climbs from a low point of 6,710 feet to a high of 9,008 feet, a 976-foot gain that makes the route a hard hike. The route is natural-surface and open to horses, and the Forest Service manages the land. The nearest trailhead parking is at Palmer, about 29.6 miles from the Cooke City weather station, which sits roughly 1,500 feet lower than the trail's high point. That station's typical July averages run to a high of 74°F and a low of 39°F, with September a bit cooler at a high of about 62°F. Winters are severe, with January highs around 24°F. High Specimen lies less than a mile away, and Palmer Creek and the Crevice Station Top Trail are both within about 1.4 miles. Bear Creek campground is about 4 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Palmer Mtn Road-012

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Cowboy's Lodge & Grill

    Restaurant

    Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Emigrant

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jul–Aug

    Best time to visit Low Specimen

    Best months: July–August. 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

      24° / 6°

      17 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / 7°

      13 wet

    3. Mar

      37° / 14°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      43° / 21°

      13 wet

    5. May

      54° / 28°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      64° / 34°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 39°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      71° / 38°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      62° / 31°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      47° / 24°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      31° / 13°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      22° / 6°

      17 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cooke City 2 W, MT, 29.6 mi away at 7,483 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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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