Pilot Peak
- 9.9 mi
- round trip
- 3,656 ft
- climb
- 8,370 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Pilot Peak open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Flathead National Forest.
Camp Creek Fire Updated Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
FK&L Area Closed to Public Access Starting July 22, 2026
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Trail 800 Tally-Ashely Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Ryan Creek Occupancy and Use Order
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 1-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Logan Creek Hoke Creek Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Flathead National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Pilot Peak is a hard hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, part of the Spotted Bear Ranger District of Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is an out-and-back that climbs from about 4,700 feet to the summit at 8,370 feet, with a total gain of about 3,650 feet over roughly 10 miles. The trail is natural-surface and not accessible. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. That makes it a backcountry ride for riders on foot or horseback. Several other hikes sit within a few miles, including Hahn Creek, Catchem Creek and Youngs Danaher Ford. Danaher Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 9 miles away.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Wire Ford
~1 min drive
Wire Ford is a 1.08-mile out-and-back trail in Montana.
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Hahn Creek
~2 min drive
30.80-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,922 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Brownstone Creek
~4 min drive
4.71-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,445 ft gain.
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Youngs Danaher Ford
~3 min drive
0.84-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 17 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Catchem Creek
~3 min drive
11.50-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 232 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Hahn Cabin
~9 min drive
3.73-mile out-and-back trail to Hahn Cabin in Montana with 29 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Gordon Ford
~3 min drive
Gordon Ford is a 1.63-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 14 feet of elevation gain.
HIKE
Cardinal Peak Divide
~5 min drive
24.44-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,910 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
S.Fk. White River
~14 min drive
4.99-mile out-and-back trail on S.Fk. White River in Montana.
HIKE
BASIN CREEK SPUR
~11 min drive
1.2-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 65 ft of elevation gain.
Route details
- Distance
- 9.9 mi round trip
- Climbing
- About 3,656 ft
- Summit
- 8,371 ft
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Time
- About 5 hours
Season
Season: Year-round.
Other routes up Gordon Mountain
Questions about this route
How long is the Pilot Peak on Gordon Mountain?
About 9.9 mi round trip.
How much elevation gain is on the Pilot Peak?
About 3,656 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Pilot Peak?
It is rated hard.
How long does the Pilot Peak take?
About 5 hours round trip.
When is the best time for the Pilot Peak?
Year-round.
How many routes go up Gordon Mountain?
2: Pilot Peak and Cardinal Peak Divide.
Conditions and forecast on Gordon Mountain
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
