Montana · Hiking

Pattee North --Meadow Loop

4.2 mi
round trip
187 ft
climb
4,297 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Oct
best months

Is Pattee North --Meadow 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.

Pattee North -- Meadow Loop is a 4.16-mile out-and-back hike in the Missoula Ranger District of Lolo National Forest in western Montana, about 3 miles from the community of Bonner Junction. The trail runs on natural surface, and the climb from the Pattee Canyon Trailhead is low, with a total elevation gain of 187 feet, so it is a moderate route suited to a day on foot, on bike or on a combination of both. The loop starts and ends at the Pattee Canyon Trailhead, which is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Missoula show July highs around 85°F with lows near 52°F, and September highs back near 73°F. That station sits roughly 880 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. The trail is a short walk from several other routes. Picnic Loop is about a tenth of a mile away, and the Meadow Loop and Picnic-Meadow Tie are also within about a tenth of a mile. For an overnight stay, Pattee Canyon Picnic Area is about 5 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jul–Oct

    Best time to visit Pattee North --Meadow Loop

    Best months: July–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

      34° / 20°

      14 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      39° / 22°

      11 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      49° / 27°

      13 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 33°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      67° / 41°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 47°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 52°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 51°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 44°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 34°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 26°

      12 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      33° / 20°

      14 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Missoula 2 Ne, MT, 5.3 mi away at 3,420 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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