Montana · Hiking · Scapegoat Wilderness

Mainline Trail

Mainline TrailPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
18.3 mi
round trip
1,549 ft
climb
6,529 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Mainline Trail open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Mainline Trail is a hard hike in Montana's Scapegoat Wilderness, part of the Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back route of about 18 miles, with a total elevation gain of roughly 1,550 feet, taking you from a low point of about 5,605 feet to a high of about 6,529 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is on natural surface, with horses allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Elliston, Montana, run to highs around 81°F in July, with lows in the mid-40s. That station sits about 1,450 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The Indian Meadows Trailhead is the parking for the trail, and it is open year-round. Landers Fork, a canoeing spot, is about half a mile away, and the Lone Mountain Trail and Heart Lake Trail are both within about a mile and a half. Copper Creek Campground is about 2 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Mainline Trail

    Best months: May–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

      33° / 11°

    2. Feb

      33° / 12°

    3. Mar

      43° / 19°

    4. Apr

      51° / 26°

    5. May

      60° / 35°

    6. Jun

      69° / 41°

    7. Jul

      81° / 46°

    8. Aug

      80° / 44°

    9. Sep

      69° / 36°

    10. Oct

      53° / 27°

    11. Nov

      39° / 17°

    12. Dec

      31° / 10°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Elliston, MT, 38.6 mi away at 5,080 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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.