Montana · Hiking

Sawyer Cr.- Rice Ridge

7.3 mi
round trip
2,769 ft
climb
5,717 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May, Jul–Sep
best months

Is SAWYER CR.- RICE RIDGE 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.

Sawyer Cr.- Rice Ridge is a hard hike in Montana's Lolo National Forest, within the Seeley Lake Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 14.6 miles, with a total elevation gain of 2,769 feet. The climb starts at 4,092 feet and reaches a high point of 5,717 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.4 miles in, with a grade of 19 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Seeley Lake show July and August highs around 83°F with lows in the low 40s, while winter highs stay near freezing. That station sits about 1,600 feet below the high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The hike takes about 6.5 hours. The trailhead is close to several other hikes, including Smurf Hill and Lake Elsina, both within about a mile and a half. For an overnight base, Seeley Lake Campground Complex and Lake Inez Campground Complex are each about 3.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May, Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit SAWYER CR.- RICE RIDGE

    Best months: May and 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

      32° / 12°

      15 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 13°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 20°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 27°

      11 wet

    5. May

      65° / 34°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 41°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 44°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 43°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 36°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 29°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 13°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Seeley Lake Rs, MT, 2.3 mi away at 4,100 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.