Montana · Hiking · Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Poacher

13.2 mi
round trip
1,855 ft
climb
9,379 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Poacher open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Custer Gallatin National Forest. It doesn't name Poacher, 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.

Poacher is a hard hike in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, part of the Gardiner Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. The trail is an out-and-back of about 13 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,855 feet, taking you from a low point of about 7,500 feet to a high of about 9,380 feet. The route is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Lake Yellowstone, Wyoming, show July and August highs around 71°F with lows in the low 40s, while winter highs stay in the 20s. Coyote Creek Trail and Coyote Creek Cutoff both start within a mile. Horse Creek Trail and Telephone Basin are each about 2.4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Poacher

    Best months: July–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

      23° / 3°

      17 wet

    2. Feb

      27° / 3°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      35° / 11°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      42° / 19°

      12 wet

    5. May

      50° / 29°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      61° / 36°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      71° / 43°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      71° / 42°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      61° / 34°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      46° / 25°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      33° / 15°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      24° / 7°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Yellowstone, WY, 32.9 mi away at 7,892 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

HIKE

Coyote Creek Trailhead (2N1)

~1 min drive

This is a remote trailhead at the northern boundary of the park that is not accessible by road. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trail within the park: Coyote Creek Trail

2H1 Campsite Spur TrailPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

2H1 Campsite Spur Trail

~9 min drive

Quick out-and-back spur to 2H1 Campsite in Wyoming backcountry.

Telephone BasinPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Telephone Basin

~12 min drive

4.46-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 625 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Horse Creek Trail

~4 min drive

12.54-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,581 ft elevation gain/loss.

HIKE

Coyote Creek Trail

~6 min drive

Accessible out-and-back creek hike in Wyoming with scenic water features.

HIKE

Upper Hellroaring Trailhead (2N5)

~4 min drive

This is a remote trailhead at the northern boundary of the park that is not accessible by road. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trail within the park: Hellroaring Creek Trail

HIKE

Hellroaring Trailhead (2K8)

~11 min drive

Nestled a 1/4-mile (0.4-km) off the Grand Loop Road, this trailhead provides access to the following trails: Buffalo Plateau Trail Coyote Creek Trail Garnet Hill Loop Trail Hellroaring Creek Trail There is a decent amount of parking at the trailhead. Buffalo Plateau Trai…

Hidden LakePhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Hidden Lake

~13 min drive

4.02-mile out-and-back trail to Hidden Lake in Montana with 103 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Telephone Basin

~4 min drive

18.02-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,185 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Buffalo Plateau Trail

~6 min drive

Out-and-back plateau hike with steady climbing and high-country views.