Montana · Rock climbing · Gallatin Gateway · Near Emigrant

SOS Area

9 routes
V0 – V5
Bouldering
Jul–Sep
best months

Is SOS Area open right now?

Closure in the area

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

SOS Area is a bouldering area in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, part of the Bozeman Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits within designated wilderness, so expect to plan around the rules that go with that status. The climbing here is all bouldering, with nine routes spread across the area. Grades run from V0 to V5, with the median at V3. Some of the named routes include One Foot in the Grave (V0), Paroxysm of Strength (V5) and Seizure of Strength (V5). The closest neighbors are Lava Pit and Explosive Boulder, both about 0.1 mile away. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Big Sky show July highs around 78°F with lows near 41°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and 30s. Other nearby options include the Table Mountain hike about a mile away, the Gallatin River fishing access at Greek Creek roughly 1.8 miles off, and the Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout campground at about 2.9 miles.

Around this trail

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

    Hwy191-38 Mm60.2

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit SOS Area

    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, 8.9 mi away at 6,590 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (9)