Montana · Hiking

Smith Creek

8.9 mi
round trip
1,185 ft
climb
5,969 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Smith Creek is a hard hike in Montana's Forest Service country, an out-and-back route of about 8.9 miles with a total elevation gain of 1,185 feet. The trail starts and ends at the Smith Creek trailhead, about 11.6 miles from the town of Stoner Place. The climb takes you from a low point of about 4,961 feet to a high of about 5,969 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes, and it is not an accessible route. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Gibson Dam weather station, about 17.7 miles away, show July highs near 79°F with lows around 45°F, and the trail sits higher than that station, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Weasel Creek lies just 0.3 miles away, and Jakie Creek and Moudess Creek are each about a mile off. For an overnight base, Double Falls Campground is about 4.5 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Smith Creek

    Best months: May–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

      36° / 12°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / 12°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 18°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 25°

      7 wet

    5. May

      59° / 33°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      67° / 39°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 45°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 43°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 36°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 29°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 20°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 13°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gibson Dam, MT, 17.7 mi away at 4,590 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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.