Montana · Hiking

Three Larches

Three LarchesPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
4.4 mi
round trip
508 ft
climb
4,955 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Oct
best months

Is Three Larches 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.

Three Larches is a moderate hike in Montana's Lolo National Forest, within the Missoula Ranger District. It is a 4.4-mile out-and-back route that climbs from about 4,421 feet to a high point of 4,955 feet, a gain of about 508 feet. The trail is managed by the Forest Service, and the parking area at the Woods Gulch Trailhead sits at the start. The trail is a natural surface route, and bikes are allowed. That makes it a practical option for hikers and mountain bikers alike. The woods around it hold several other routes close by, including the Three Larches Cutoff and the Marshall Grade, which sits about 0.1 mile away. The most comfortable time for a visit is summer. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 85°F and lows near 52°F, with fewer wet days than the rest of the year. That station sits roughly 1,500 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The Pattee Canyon Picnic Area, about 8 miles away, is the closest campground.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jul–Oct

    Best time to visit Three Larches

    Best months: July–October. 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

      34° / 20°

      14 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      39° / 22°

      11 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      49° / 27°

      13 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 33°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      67° / 41°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 47°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 52°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 51°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 44°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 34°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 26°

      12 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      33° / 20°

      14 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Missoula 2 Ne, MT, 2.3 mi away at 3,420 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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HIKE

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