Sheep Lake
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)- 11.7 mi
- round trip
- 4,128 ft
- climb
- 9,089 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Sheep Lake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Custer Gallatin National Forest. It doesn't name Sheep Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (16 listed).
NFSR #1700 South Plateau Road Closure
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Lonesomewood Prescribed Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure
Agency closure covering Hebgen Lake Ranger District · Order 01-11-07-26-03 · USFS · Hebgen Lake Ranger District
South Plateau Road #1700 Opening Delayed
Agency closure covering Hebgen Lake Ranger District · USFS · Hebgen Lake Ranger District
Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Summer Interim Travel Order and Map and Order # 01-11-00-26-02
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · Order 01-11-00-26-02 · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Winter Interim Travel Order and Map Order Number: #01-11-00-26-01
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Sheep Lake is a hard, out-and-back hike in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest, within the Hebgen Lake Ranger District. The trail stretches about 11.7 miles, with a total elevation gain of 4,128 feet. It starts at the Sheep Creek parking area and climbs from a low point of 6,496 feet to a high point of 9,089 feet. The route is natural-surface and allows horses and bikes, so it works for a variety of riders and packers. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Plan for a long day, with the climb spread across the full length of the hike. Beaver Creek Campground sits about 4 miles away, and Mile Creek is about 3 miles off. For more hikes in the area, West Fork Watkins and Coffin Lakes are each within about 5.5 miles.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Sam Beebe/Ecotrust, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Kirkwood Trail
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13.56-mile out-and-back in Montana with 3,849 ft gain/loss.
Photo: Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Papoose Creek Trail
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Photo: Roebot, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)HORSE BUTTE LOOP (SNOWMO)
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Mile Creek
~6 min drive
2.00-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 242 ft elevation gain.
Photo: inkenbrandt, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Cabin Creek
~11 min drive
11.09-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,389 ft elevation gain.
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LOST MINE CANYON
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15.04-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,942 ft elevation gain
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Lightning Lake
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Avalanche Lake
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2.05-mile out-and-back trail to Avalanche Lake in Montana with 507 ft of gain.
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West Fork Watkins
~9 min drive
7.24-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,342 ft gain.
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Papoose Creek Tral
~15 min drive
11.86-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,686 ft elevation gain and loss.
