Montana · Rock climbing · Gallatin Gateway · Near Emigrant

Black Line Buttress

18 routes
5.8 – 5.12b
Trad · Mixed
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Black Line Buttress open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name Black Line Buttress, so check the source for the area it covers (16 listed).

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

Black Line Buttress is a climbing area in the Bozeman Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing areas and the Gallatin River, with East Side and First Buttress both about 0.1 mile away. The area has 18 routes, mostly trad, with grades ranging from 5.8 to 5.12. Among them are Callis' Warts and Corns at 5.8, Fakir at 5.12b, and If Peterbilts Could Prance at 5.12. The median grade is 5.10b. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Big Sky run to highs around 78°F in July with lows near 41°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and 30s. Nearby, the Gallatin River offers fishing about 0.1 mile away, and Lava Lake and Garnet Mountain are both within about a mile. Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout is about 1.3 miles off.

Around this trail

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    Hwy191-14 Mm62.4

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    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail

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More in Emigrant
  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Black Line Buttress

    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

      30° / 9°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 9°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 17°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 23°

      11 wet

    5. May

      58° / 30°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      67° / 36°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 41°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 39°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 33°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 25°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      37° / 16°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 9°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Sky 2wnw, MT, 10.7 mi away at 6,590 ft. The station sits about 600 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (18)

Blue DreamFA: Emily Wolfe, 20185.10Just Effacin' the CrowdFA: Trevor Bowman, Ty Gittins, Ethan Edwards, Matt Johnson, and Kelsey Link 6/12/105.10aBlack LineFA: Doug Randall, John Kravetz FFA: Terry Kennedy, Jim Kanzler 19775.10bFringe BenefitsFA: Trevor Bowman and Matt Johnson 6/12/105.10cLacy PantiesFA: Todd Cozzens, Nate Adams, April 19895.10cBlack Line - Directest FinishFA: Trevor Bowman and Pat Kingsbury July 20085.11aKabooki DirectFA: Paul Dinkins, Todd Davidson (May 2002)5.11bIf Peterbilts Could PranceFA: Alex Lowe, May 19885.12Sour DieselFA: QTH July 10,'185.12-ThintuckyFA: J. Griffin5.12-FakirFA: Bill Dockins (June 1986)5.12bCallis' Warts and CornsFA: Pat Callis, Bill St. Lawrence5.8Mirror ImageFA: Jack Tackle & Gary Skaar 19805.8RamboFA: A.J. Helms & Pete Gallup Sept. 19935.8Alto RayFA: Terry Kennedy & Steve Jackson, Fall 19785.9Baby MooseFA: ? maybe Anju5.9Diesel DriverFA: Jim Kanzler, Terry Kennedy, Fall 19765.9Raven's RoostFA: Jack Tackle, Brian Leo, Doug Randall (1978)5.9

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