Mule Ridge

Mule Ridge is a hard hike in the Hungry Horse Ranger District of Montana's Flathead National Forest, about 8.6 miles long with a total elevation gain of 1,833 feet. The trail starts at the Geifer Creek Trailhead, which has year-round access, and it runs as an out-and-back route from a low point of about 4,610 feet to a high point of about 6,311 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail has a natural surface. It is open to both horses and bikes, so riders and pack animals can make the trip. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at E Glacier, which sits about 1,500 feet lower than the high point, show July and August highs around 74°F with lows in the mid-40s. Winter is cold, with January and February highs near 30°F. Several other destinations sit close by. Skyland Mule Sm, a cross-country ski area, is half a mile away, and Elkcalf Mtn. is about 1.3 miles off. Zips Place Cabin, a cabin about 2.4 miles away, offers a place to stay. Bear Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 4.1 miles away.