West Fork Loop

The West Fork Loop is a 2.03-mile moderate hike in Montana, about 1.2 miles from the town of Saltese. The route is an out-and-back that climbs to a high point of 3,887 feet, with a total gain of 1,044 feet over the round trip. The one-way climb reaches about 726 feet, and the steepest stretch comes around mile 1.2, where the grade reaches about 10 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July highs run around 84°F with lows near 43°F, based on averages from a nearby weather station at Haugan. That station sits about 727 feet lower than the trail's high point, so expect temperatures up top to run cooler. Several other hikes lie within a short drive. Silver/Dominion Creek and Saltese/ Randolph Creek Loop are each about 1.2 miles away, Packer Creek is 1.8 miles off, and Meadow Mtn Loop is 2.3 miles away. For an overnight stay, Deer Creek Campground offers a base for the area's trails.