Montana · Rock climbing · Gallatin Gateway · Near Emigrant

Fish Face

6 routes
5.6 – 5.11+
Trad · Sport
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Fish Face open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name Fish Face, 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.

Fish Face is a climbing area in the Bozeman Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with The Watchtower - Lower and Tango Tower both about 0.1 mile away. The area has six routes, five of which are trad and one sport. Grades run from 5.6 to 5.11+, with Not in Vein at 5.6 and Bill the Cat at 5.11+ as the easiest and hardest. The sport route After Dance is 5.8. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Big Sky show July highs around 78°F with lows near 41°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and 30s. The Gallatin River fishing access is about 0.2 mile away, and Lava Lake is about 1.1 mile off. Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout and Spire Rock campground are both within about 2 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Hwy191-14 Mm62.4

    Campground

    Campground · 0.8 mi from the trail

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

    Best time to visit Fish Face

    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 (6)

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