Wahlquist Ridge
- 9.8 mi
- round trip
- 2,390 ft
- climb
- 6,805 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Is Wahlquist 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.
Wahlquist Ridge is a 9.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Missoula Ranger District of Lolo National Forest in western Montana. The trail rises from a low point of about 4,200 feet to a high of 6,805 feet, with a total elevation gain of 2,390 feet. It is an expert-level route on natural surface, and the Forest Service lists it as not accessible. The trailhead is named Wahlquist Trailhead, and the parking is there. The route is open year-round, and the Forest Service allows both horses and bikes. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Phillipsburg, which sits about 1,500 feet lower, show July and August highs around 81°F with lows in the low 40s. At the ridge's summit, temperatures run cooler. Nearby, Butte Cabin Creek and Cinnamon Bear Ridge are both within a mile. Harrys Flat Campground and Bitterroot Flat Campground are about 2 to 3 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Granite Peak RV Resort36 mi away
- Copper Court RV Park48 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Wahlquist Ridge
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.
Jan
36° / 15°
Feb
38° / 15°
Mar
47° / 21°
Apr
54° / 26°
May
63° / 33°
Jun
71° / 39°
Jul
81° / 43°
Aug
81° / 42°
Sep
71° / 36°
Oct
57° / 28°
Nov
43° / 21°
Dec
34° / 14°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Phillipsburg Rs, MT, 26.2 mi away at 5,270 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Welcome Creek
~8 min drive
15.73-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,783 ft elevation gain.
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Cinnamon Bear Point
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1.96-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 260 ft elevation gain.
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RANCH CREEK
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18.88-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3897 ft elevation gain.
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Ranch Creek Trail #65
~15 min drive
3.12-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,868 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Butte Cabin Creek
~2 min drive
19.17-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,855 ft elevation gain.
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Quigg Peak
~7 min drive
2.07-mile out-and-back trail to Quigg Peak in Montana with 662 ft gain.
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Little Threemile
~15 min drive
5.63-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,912 ft elevation gain.
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Cinnamon Bear Ridge
~2 min drive
12.30-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,327 ft elevation gain.
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Butte Cabin Ridge
~9 min drive
18.68-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 14 ft elevation gain.
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Spink Point
~18 min drive
4.61-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 631 ft gain.
