Montana · Hiking

Porcupine Saddle

1.3 mi
round trip
196 ft
climb
7,184 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Porcupine Saddle open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Bitterroot National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Bitterroot National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Porcupine Saddle is an easy out-and-back hike in the Sula Ranger District of Montana's Bitterroot National Forest, about 1.3 miles long with a total elevation gain of 196 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced, and the Forest Service manages the land. The route starts and ends at the Porcupine Saddle Trailhead, where the trailhead parking is labeled "PORCUPINE SADDLE TRAILHEAD." The climb is gentle, with the low point at 7,002 feet and the high point at 7,184 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Wisdom weather station, which sits about 1,100 feet lower, show July highs around 78°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-20s. Indian Trees Campground is about 1.4 miles away, and the Warm Springs Ridge and Sheilds Creek mountain biking routes are each about 2.1 miles off. Colter Creek, another hike, is about 2.8 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Porcupine Saddle

    Best months: June–August. 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

      26° / 3°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / 3°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 12°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 21°

      9 wet

    5. May

      59° / 28°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      67° / 35°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 38°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 34°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 28°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 21°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 10°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      25° / 3°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wisdom, MT, 27 mi away at 6,060 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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.