The Big and Little Snowy Mountains are two mountains ranges to the south of Lewistown, Montana. They’re close, they’re big, and they can be seen from Billings. You'll then traverse an alpine plateau to the summit of Big Baldy Mountain. The geographic area includes both the Big and Little Snowy Mountain ranges. ... After a few hours of mostly gradual climbing, I reached a snowy Sundance Pass (45.10429 / -109.56855) and was treated to more impressive vistas to the west. Summer is just beginning to heat up, which means better weather for exploring Montana’s wild places. Location: Tobacco Root Mountains. This unique mountain complex is located 15 miles south of Lewistown, the geographic center of the state. DRY POLE CREEK -- One of my many genetic flaws is that I feel the need to keep pushing onward when good sense would suggest that I halt or turn Obtain a Forest Visitor's map for information on any travel restrictions. The Big Snowy Mountains ascend in an elongated mass from the ocean of prairie lands of central Montana – a distinct range with a perch that looks out on the farthest-reaching views in Big Sky Country. After you descend a bit on the well maintained trail, it will become true singletrack next to the lake. And if you’d prefer your hikes to be a bit shorter, check out this list of Montana … The landscape is more arid than most in Montana, which makes for open, panoramic views. The Little Snowy is home to numerous streams fed by natural springs, that provide an abundant of water for wildlife and livestock. This island mountain range in central Montana features peaks reaching to 8,600 feet and long, high ridges from which vistas of the prairies and mountain ranges of south and central Montana … The Big and Little Snowies are considered island ranges, and are located primarily in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Big Snowy Mountains The Big Snowy Mountains are a mountain range south of Lewistown, Montana in Fergus County, Montana.One of the few points of significant elevation in the area, this is considered one of Montana's island ranges. The Big Snowy Mountains have many day long activities for the public to enjoy including: hiking, camping, boating and in winter snow shoeing, snowmobiling as well as backcountry skiing. In this post we shine the spotlight on some of the best hikes in Big Sky, Montana. To start the ride, go back down to the campground and take the trail that heads off to the right by the bathroom. Detailed Information and Maps about the Big Snowy Mountains Backcountry Drive. Exploring the Big Snowy Mountains Near Billings. The group I hitched a hike with in the Big Snowy Mountains last weekend is the Wilderness Institute’s Citizen Science Program, based at the University of Montana. If you haven’t hiked these incredible trails, you need to put them at the top of your hiking bucket list. To explore the Big Snowy Mountains and the Ice Caves, check out the U.S. Forest Service website and download the Crystal Lake Area Trails map. The Big Snowies are home to the Crystal Lake recreation area, which provides plenty of hiking and camping for visitors. This is a long overdue trip report from a hike I did in the Beartooth mountains last year. Departing from one of the best campgrounds in Montana , Crystal Lake Campground , this five-mile trail ascends over 2,200 feet in the first three miles before traversing the flat top of the Snowy Crest to the ice caves. Looking down on Lewistown from over 8,600 feet the Big Snowy Mountains offer so much to the community of Lewistown and Central Montana. The Crazy Mountains are an island mountain range that many people know because of the way they dominate the horizon north of Interstate 90 in the Livingston/Big Timber area. The Little Snowy Mountains are a small mountain range in central Montana about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Lewistown.The range lies mostly in Fergus County, but the southern part of the range extends into Golden Valley and Musselshell counties.. I have to count this as one of my most successful hiking weeks. Sundance Pass. I descended down snow-covered switchbacks to reach Fork … Sign About East … The Big Snowy Mountains Backcountry Drive is a seventy-seven mile route that travels along the eastern and southern base of the Big Snowy Mountains in Central Montana. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from June until September. Big Snowy Mountains Crest Via Crystal Lake (Trail #493/490) Big Snowy Mountains Crest Via Crystal Lake is a moderately trafficked out-and-back trail that features a cave and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Some people wanna go to Vegas with their friends for their bachelor party, but I would rather spend it in the woods with my ultralight backpack and tent and chase some critters with my friends, lol! Big Snowy Trail is a 8 mile less popular blue singletrack alpine trail located near Big Snowy Mountains Montana. The Snowies display prominent changes in elevation accentuated by surrounding grassland, high plains, and foothill savanna. Beyond the storm, the mountains themselves are a … The ascent up the north face of Big Baldy Mountain is via a trail through the shale rock. On a clear day, you can see the Bears Paw Mountains, the Big Snowy Mountains, the Crazy Mountains, and the Absoraka Mountains to name a few. The Big Snowy Mountains rise behind what appears to be an old one-room schoolhouse along South McDonald Creek Road in Fergus County. Big Snowy Mountains Crest Via Crystal Lake is a 19.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Moore, Montana that offers the chance to see wildlife and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Big mistake. These mountains are a classic Montana “island range” (ie one that extrudes at seemingly random points probably as a combination of tectonic activity plus differential erosive forces). The sky was clear, but the conditions were both cold and very windy. The Big Snowy Mountains Backcountry Drive is a 77-mile one-way trip between Lewistown and Judith Gap, Montana. ... Main Hiking Areas. The Big Snowy mountains don't look like much from a distance, but once in them, they quickly become quite rugged, steep, and beautiful. Today, large ranches maintain the open character of the area. Submit one here. Explore the mountains on forest roads, or travel to Ackley lake State Park offering camping, mountain biking on trails, fishing, and boating. BRETT FRENCH, Billings Gazette Two trips into the Highwoods, one into the Front, another into the Little Belts, and everything topped off by a walk across the long ridge in the Big Snowy Mountains near Lewistown. The Crazies offer a number of great hikes but suffers a lack of access. The Big Snowy Mountains are an island range just south of Lewistown with its tallest point, Great House Peak, rising to 8,681 feet. The spectacular Little Snowy Mountain Ranch, located in Fergus County, Montana, consists of 5,158+/- total deeded acres. The Big Snowy mountains rise only 700-800m above the surrounding high valley plateau. Size: ... typical of island mountain ranges in central Montana. On average it takes 5 hours51 minutes to complete this trail. The ranch lies in a high snowfall area with elevations ranging from 4500 to 5800 feet. Located 15 miles southeast of Lewistown, MT, it is one of the most unique and diverse properties on the market. Lost Peak Via Big Snowy Trail #650 is a 9.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Forest Grove, Montana that offers the chance to see wildlife. Non-motorized trail. Fortunately, the Big Timber Canyon trailhead provides access to popular day hikes and backpacking opportunities. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Hop on any trail in Big Sky and you’re bound for an adventure of a lifetime. For those seeking to enjoy a day away from heavily-trafficked trails, the Ice Cave Loop Trail in the Big Snowy Mountains offers a unique opportunity to explore one of Montana’s lesser-known island ranges and a 100-foot-wide cave that features ice year-round. No description for Big Snowy Trail trail has been added yet! A guide to Montana trails curated by the Montana Wilderness Association. Big Snowy Trail (650) connects Red Hill Road with summit of Old Baldy (Big Snowy), easternmost of high peaks in Big Snowy Mountains Summit provides outstanding 360 degree panorama of Big and Little Belts, Castles, Crazies, and Square and round Buttes. Three sections of Lewis and Clark National Forest are shown on the map; the largest section is the Big Snowy Mountains with the campground marked;hiking, camping, fishing, and boating at Crystal Lake.