Montana · Hiking

South Clearwater Loop

3.1 mi
round trip
1,262 ft
climb
4,881 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is SOUTH CLEARWATER LOOP 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.

The South Clearwater Loop is a 6.2-mile out-and-back hike in Montana's Lolo National Forest, within the Seeley Lake Ranger District. The trail starts at about 4,881 feet and climbs to roughly 4,881 feet, making it a back-loaded route that peaks at the high point before descending back to the trailhead. The total elevation gain is 1,262 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 11%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Lindbergh Lake weather station show July and August highs around 78°F with only about seven wet days a month, while winter brings highs near freezing and frequent snow days from December through February. The trip takes about 2.5 hours. The Forest Service manages the land, and the nearest town is Seeley Lake. The loop links up with other trails and campgrounds in the area. Clearwater Lake is about 1.8 miles away, and the Richmond Clearwater Loop North and Richmond 3 Avalanche Trail are both about 2 miles off. For an overnight stay, Rainy Lake Campground sits about 2.7 miles from the trail.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit SOUTH CLEARWATER LOOP

    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

      31° / 16°

      19 wet · 17 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 17°

      16 wet · 14 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 23°

      16 wet · 11 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 30°

      14 wet · 6 snow

    5. May

      60° / 38°

      14 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      68° / 45°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 50°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 49°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 41°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 32°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      38° / 24°

      16 wet · 10 snow

    12. Dec

      29° / 16°

      19 wet · 16 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lindbergh Lake, MT, 8.4 mi away at 4,320 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.