Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A trailhead on Squaw Creek Rd accesses several trails. The 2.5-mile climb to the top of
the
Storm Castle Trail
(trail 92) offers great views, but the 1900 ft climb is unrelenting,
with the last quarter-mile, across loose scree, especially strenuous and tricky.
The equally demanding 8-mile round-trip
Garnet Lookout Trail
(trail 85) leads off in
the opposite direction, gaining 2850ft to the top of Garnet Peak, where there is a USFS
lookout tower that can be rented as a cabin.
One of the best backpacking destinations is the
Spanish Peaks
area, accessed at the end
of USFS Rd 982, about 22 miles south of Bozeman. Camping is allowed at the trailhead,
and there's a USFS cabin nearby. Most routes are overnighters or multiday loops. A popu-
lar loop leads up Falls Creek to the Jerome Rock Lakes (8 miles) and then back down the
South Fork. Longer loops take in the Spanish Lakes (8.5 miles from the trailhead) or Mir-
ror Lake (7.5 miles) and return via Indian Ridge and Little Hellroaring Creek.
Other Activities
Scenes from the film
A River Runs Through It
were filmed on the beautiful Gallatin River,
where local anglers swear that the sweet spot is anywhere you cast a line. You will also
find fishing access sites at Greek Creek, Moose Creek Flat and Red Cliff Campgrounds.
East Slope Outdoors
( 406-995-4369;
www.eastslopoutdoors.com
)
, 100 yards
south of the Big Sky turnoff, has an Orvis store full of equipment for rent or sale and of-
fers guided fly-fishing trips with instruction, as does
Gallatin Riverguides
(
406-995-2290;
www.montanaflyfishing.com
)
, 0.5 miles south of the Big Sky turnoff,
which also offers women-only fishing trips.
Cinnamon Lodge Adventures
( 406-995-4253;
www.mountainayresadventures.com
)
offers guided mountain-biking and backpacking ad-
ventures. Adventure couple Ryan and Morgan do it all - from half-day vehicle-assisted
trips to multiday adventures in remote areas as well as Yellowstone National Park.
Gallatin Valley offers the best white-water rafting around Yellowstone - most exciting
during June's high water. For inspiration, check out the 'mad mile' of white-water visible
from the main road after the Cascade Creek bridge.
Geyser Whitewater Expeditions
( 406-995-4989;
www.raftmontana.com
)
on US
191, 1 mile south of the Big Sky turnoff, offers white-water rafting (full/half day $84/48)
and kayaking (half-day $61).
Montana Whitewater
( 406-995-4613;
www.montanawhitewater.com
; Hwy 191 mile marker 64; full/half day $79/47)
runs simil-
ar trips and a half-day introduction to fly fishing for $55 per person in a group.
A number of outfitters offer horseback-riding trips, for about $34 per hour, $80 for a
half day and $136 for a full day:
