Montana · Hiking

West Fork Yaak River

10.0 mi
round trip
855 ft
climb
3,768 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is West Fork Yaak River open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Three Rivers Ranger District. It doesn't name West Fork Yaak River, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Three Rivers Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The West Fork Yaak River hike is a 10-mile out-and-back on natural surface in the Three Rivers Ranger District of Kootenai National Forest in northwest Montana. The route rises from a low point of about 3,467 feet to a high of roughly 3,768 feet, and it is a hard route. The trail is open from June 1 through October 31. Trailhead parking is at West Fork Yaak River TH 318. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail allows bikes and horses. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable season. Typical July and August highs run around 81°F with lows in the low 40s, based on averages from a nearby weather station about 700 feet lower. Winter highs there stay in the 20s. Nearby, Mount Obermayer Tie and Mount Obermayer are both about 2.5 miles away. Garver Mtn. Lookout Rental, a rental cabin, is about 3 miles off. The Yaak River, a paddling route, is about 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 West Fork Yaak River

    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

      29° / 14°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / 14°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 22°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 27°

      11 wet

    5. May

      65° / 35°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 41°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 43°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 42°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 35°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 28°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 21°

      13 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 15°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yaak 9nne, MT, 5.7 mi away at 3,085 ft. The station sits about 700 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.