Montana · Rock climbing · Gallatin Gateway · Near Emigrant

Libido Formation

6 routes
5.9 – 5.11d
Trad
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Libido Formation open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Libido Formation is a trad climbing area in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest, within the Bozeman Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Lower Nunnery and The Dregs both about 0.3 miles away. The route list runs six trad climbs, ranging from 5.9 to 5.11d. The median is 5.10c, and the hardest routes, Butthole Surfer and G Protein, are both 5.11d. Crack of Libido is a 5.11b that was first climbed by Terry Kennedy and Jim Kanzler in 1978, while Sloppy Seconds at 5.9 is the easiest option. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Big Sky, at about 6,590 feet, show July highs near 78°F with lows around 41°F, while winter highs sit in the 20s and 30s. The Gallatin River fishing access is about half a mile away, and Lava Lake and Garnet Mountain lie within a mile. For an overnight base, Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout is about 1.4 miles off.

Around this trail

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  • Sleep close

    Hwy191-38 Mm60.2

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail

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

    Best time to visit Libido Formation

    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, 10.4 mi away at 6,590 ft. The station sits about 800 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)