Enjoying the view after hiking high into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area.
Park County has countless high country trails and lakes
From day hikes to backpacking expeditions, Park County's mountains offer great adventures for everyone
Montana is known for its great outdoors, and nowhere else in the state is the scenery more spectacular, the fishing more fabulous or the mountains more magnificent than in Park County.
With four mountain ranges and the 906,000-acre Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness area, the county is the center of the vast greater Yellowstone ecosystem - one of the last unspoiled ecosystems in the lower 48 states.
The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is made up of two mountain ranges - the Absarokas and the Beartooths. Although the two ranges parallel each other, they are very distinct.
The Absaroka Range is marked by steep, forested valleys and craggy peaks. The Beartooth Mountains are characterized by high plateaus dotted with countless lakes.
The tallest mountains in Montana are in the Beartooth range, including the state’s highest, Granite Peak, at 12,799 feet, located in Park County.
Forest Service officials ask visitors to the wilderness of Park County to leave a minimum “human imprint.” Wilderness areas are a place to experience solitude and to have a primitive outdoor experience.
The following guide offers a brief summary of the trailheads leading into the mountains:
ABSAROKA RANGE
back to topSUCE CREEK
Located about 10 miles south of Livingston off the East River Road, Suce Creek is a trailhead with a picnic area and restroom facilities. The trails provide access to Baldy Basin and the north fork of Deep Creek.
DEEP CREEK
Located about three miles south of Suce Creek, the Deep Creek trailhead has no facilities. The trail winds along steep valley walls above Deep Creek to the Davis Creek Divide. From there, the trail drops down into the West Boulder River.
PINE CREEK
Pine Creek is one of the most popular trailheads in the area. The access road is located about one mile south of the town of Pine Creek on the East River Road. Pine Creek Falls is just a short hike from the campground, and for the hearty hiker, Pine Creek Lake is another four steep miles up the mountain.
MILL CREEK
Mill Creek is one of two corridors that extends deep into the Gallatin National Forest. From the Mill Creek drainage, hikers and horseback riders can get to numerous trailheads that provide access to dozens of lakes and destination points.
Mill Creek also provides access to Passage Creek Falls.
Snowbank Campground is located along the road up Mill Creek. The campground is operated by the Forest Service.
EMIGRANT GULCH
Located above Chico Hot Springs, the primitive road is accessible to the public.
SIXMILE
Sixmile Creek is located about 30 miles south of Livingston off the East River Road south of Emigrant. Follow the signs to Dailey Lake and then watch for the Forest Service signs to the Sixmile Creek access.
JOE BROWN TRAIL
Located along U.S. 89 near the mouth of Yankee Jim Canyon, the Joe Brown trail provides access to excellent fall hunting grounds.
EAGLE CREEK
Located above Gardiner on the road to Jardine, Eagle Creek is quite popular. The Forest Service has provided horse corrals at the trailhead.
COOKE CITY
The Forest Service has numerous trailheads in and around Cooke City and several public campgrounds. From the trailheads, people can get to countless mountain lakes that teem with trout, as well as get to Granite Peak, Montana’s tallest mountain.
BOULDER RIVER
The Boulder River provides another deep corridor into the AB Wilderness that people can drive up to get to numerous trailheads.
Several Forest Service campgrounds are located along the road, and at Box Canyon a popular loop trail begins that takes one onto the Lake Plateau, an area aptly named for dozens of lakes.
WEST BOULDER RIVER
The West Boulder River is a slightly more remote trailhead that has a Forest Service campground. The West Boulder Meadows are located a short hike from the trailhead.
The Boulder River is easily reached by taking U.S. 298 south from Big Timber.
LIVINGSTON PEAK
The trailhead provides access to the Livingston Peak area. From the trailhead, hikers can get on the West Baldy Basin trail, which leads to the saddle below Livingston Peak (also called Mount Baldy). From the saddle, hikers can head for the top of the peak.
To reach the Livingston Peak trailhead, visitors should drive east on Park Street through Livingston to Highway 10. About one mile east of town is Swingley Road. Take a right-hand turn on the Swingley Road and watch for the Forest Service access signs.
CRAZY MOUNTAINS
ROCK CREEK
As one heads north from Livingston, Rock Creek is the first access. Located at the southern end of the range, the trail leads up to several lakes on private property.
COTTONWOOD CREEK
Cottonwood Creek is located due east of Clyde Park. The trail follows the creek then gains elevation. A Forest Service cabin is available for rent in the Ibex area.
BENNETT CREEK
Further up Shields River Road is the Bennett Creek access. The northern end of the range is primarily low, timber-covered mountains and provides access to several other trailheads in the Shields River drainage.
BIG TIMBER CANYON
Located on the east side of the Crazy Mountains, Big Timber Canyon is perhaps the most popular access site to the mountain range - and for good reason: The Forest Service’s Half Moon Campground is located there.
Big Timber Canyon is located north of the town of Big Timber, which is 35 miles east of Livingston on Interstate 90.
GALLATIN RANGE
TRAIL/NEWMAN CREEK
The trail leads to a Forest Service cabin, which the public can rent. The northern end of the Gallatin Range is mainly rolling, forested hills. The trail goes through private land, so users must stay on the designated route.
WEST PINE CREEK
West Pine Creek is also found along the southern end of Trail Creek Road. The trail there provides access to the Gallatin Range.
BIG CREEK
Big Creek is the next Forest Service access into the Gallatin Range. Located off the west side of U.S. 89 about 30 miles south of Livingston, Big Creek provides access to the network of trails.
ROCK CREEK
Rock Creek is located about five miles south of Big Creek. Rock Creek also provides access to the Gallatin trail network.
TOM MINER CREEK
From Tom Miner Basin, people can reach numerous lakes and peaks. A Forest Service campground is at the end of the road, and trails head south into Yellowstone Park. The Gallatin Petrified Forest is also located there.
SPHINX CREEK
Sphinx Creek is a seldom-used access on the south side of Yankee Jim Canyon. A county road from the Tom Miner Basin Road leads to the trailhead. The trail provides access to several lakes, such as Twin Lakes and Yankee Jim Lake.
he Forest Service has all the information you need to plan a backcountry trip. Each office in the area is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Livingston District office is located on U.S. 89 one mile south of Livingston. Its phone number is 222-1892.
he Gardiner District office is located on U.S. 89 in Gardiner. Call 848-7375.
The Big Timber District office, which covers the popular Boulder River area, is located on Highway 10 east just past the downtown area in Big Timber. Call (406) 932-5155.
The Forest Service has several backcountry cabins available for rent. To make reservations more than three days in advance, call (877) 444-6777 or visit www. reserveUSA.com or visit www.reserveUSA.com.
Maps and hiking brochures are also available at all Ranger District offices.
Area is great for biking
A mountain biker returns from a rigorous ride in Park County's high country.
Hiking trails, logging and Forest Service roads (some open to motor vehicles and some not) crisscross the mountain ranges in Park County and provide for a wide range of mountain biking experiences.
The hard-core can climb for hours and then take on the exhilarating descents, while the more easygoing can enjoy the shade of the trees, the streams, the flowers and the day.
There are no trails specifically marked for mountain biking in the area, but any trails outside of wilderness areas (which are off-limits to bikes and any other form of mechanized travel) are open to the activity.
The easiest way to find the trails and logging roads available to biking is to get a hiking map or Forest Service map showing that area, and then set out.
Both types of maps are available at the Livingston Ranger District on U.S. Highway 89 just south of Livingston (Tel. 406-222-1892). Also, Timber Trails, an outdoor gear shop in Livingston, has maps with suggested biking trails and routes.
Bikers should remember that under state law, bikes are subject to the same rules of the road as other vehicles.
On the trail, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and horses. When horses are in the area, bike riders need to stop, get off their bikes, get off the trail and stand on the low side of the trail below where the horses will pass by.
Biking in Yellowstone Park
Biking is allowed in the park's boundaries, and there are many trails open to bikes for limited excursions.
However, bikes are discouraged from traveling on main roads shared with motorized vehicles because the roads are narrow and do not have adequate shoulders for bikes to escape the heavy traffic.
The following routes in and around Yellowstone National Park are restricted to bicycle and foot travel:
MAMMOTH AREA:
• The abandoned railroad bed paralleling the Yellowstone River between Gardiner and the park boundary at Reese Creek (5 miles).
• Golden Gate service road between Golden Gate and Joffee Lake (1.5 miles).
• Mammoth services road beginning at the top of the hill on the Old Gardiner Road above Mammoth running northwest to the telephone microwave station (1.5 miles).
• Swan Lake gravel pit road, 6 miles south of Mammoth (1 mile).
• Superintendent's Campground road, adjacent to the entrance to the Indian Creek Campground (.4 miles).
WEST ENTRANCE AREA:
• Riverside trail from entrance area to Barns Road (1.4 miles).
OLD FAITHFUL AREA:
• Lone Star Geyser road from the Grand Loop road to the Lone Star Geyser parking lot (2 miles).
• The paved trail beginning in front of the Lower Hamilton Store at Old Faithful to Morning Glory Pool (2 miles). Bicycles are not allowed on the unpaved trail continuing beyond Morning Glory Pool to Biscuit Basin.
• Fountain Freight road located 6 miles north of Old Faithful (5 miles).
• Daisy Geyser cutoff to Biscuit Basin, abandoned service road (1.4 miles).
LAKE AREA:
• Natural Bridge Road near Bridge Bay (1 mile).
• The old roadbed near the lakeshore between Lake Hotel and where the roadbed joins the main road south of Lake Junction (1 mile).
TOWER-LAMAR AREAS:
• Mount Washburn Service Road, from the Chittenden Road parking area to the summit of Mt. Washburn (3 miles). Bicycles are not permitted on the trail between the summit and the Dunraven Pass parking area.
• Old Chittenden service road, between Grand Loop Road and Tower Falls Campground (2 miles).
• Rose Creek service road behind the Lamar Ranger Station (1 mile).
Yellowstone ideal for boating
River runners test their skill in whitewater on the Yellowstone River.
The Yellowstone River is Montana’s most famous river. It is also the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states.
It starts high in the Absaroka Mountains of northwestern Wyoming and flows 678 miles before joining the Missouri River in North Dakota
The river enters Park County near Gardiner, where it flows out of Yellowstone National Park and winds for more than 75 miles through the county.
World famous for its extraordinary fishing, the Yellowstone also offers a wide variety of water - from a lazy, meandering stream dotted with gentle pockets of water to swift whitewater as the river plunges over large boulders through narrow gorges.
The first public access site on the river is just below the Gardiner airport at mile marker 3 on Highway U.S. Highway 89 South. From there to the next public access at Corwin Springs, four miles downstream, the water is fast and a good challenge for intermediate kayakers and large rafts.
Between Corwin Springs and the head of Yankee Jim Canyon, the river is suited to intermediate canoeists. That stretch is also excellent fishing water.
Yankee Jim Canyon is the most famous and challenging whitewater on the river. It contains some difficult rapids and is only for the experts.
One safe and exciting way to float the upper Yellowstone and Yankee Jim Canyon is with one of the commercial raft companies that operate in Park County.
Below Yankee Jim Canyon, the river enters the Paradise Valley and winds toward Livingston. Numerous public access sites are provided along both sides of the river.
The river flows north from Yellowstone Park until it reaches Livingston and turns east. The Lewis and Clark expedition called this point “The Great Bend.”
Between Livingston and Springdale, the river begins to braid, and the channels can be tricky. Floaters need to stay alert on this stretch of the river for channels blocked by fallen trees and for large standing waves.
Commercial raft companies in Park County offer both whitewater and scenic trips that last from a half day up to a week. The larger rafts can carry up to a dozen people, but most trips average about half that.
People floating the river must have one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for each person in the boat, and children under 12 must wear a life jacket at all times.
f it’s power-boating you prefer, then you’ll need to head east of Livingston to where U.S. Highway 89 North crosses the river. The state allows all types of powerboats downstream from that point.
For those who want to enjoy the river on a warm, sunny summer afternoon but don’t have a boat, an inner tube will do. Just pick one up at a local tire shop and jump in - all the locals do it.
Boat Float dates set
The 45th annual Yellowstone River Boat Float is scheduled to launch from Livingston, Big Timber and Columbus on July 11, 12 and 13 respectively for up to three full days of lazy, downstream floating good times.
The float launches from Mayor’s Landing in Livingston early Friday and ends 110 river miles downstream in Laurel on Sunday.
There will be a pre-float party the evening of July 10 at the The 49’er Casino.
Golf course offers scenic vistas galore
Players coax a putt in at the Livingston Golf and Country Club. The nine-hole course is located along the Yellowstone River on Livingston’s south side.
The Livingston Golf and Country Club features a nine-hole, par 36 course along the Yellowstone River, with panoramic views of the Absaroka and Crazy mountains.
Professional Golf Association teaching pro Todd Hinnen invites all visitors to play the Livingston course but reminds them to call 222-1100 in advance for a tee time.
The course is located on View Vista Drive. To reach the course, drive south on Main Street past Park High School and continue another half mile to the Country Club, which is on the right.
Greens fees are $18 for nine holes and $24 for 18 holes Monday through Friday. On weekends and holidays, the cost is $20 for nine holes and $28 for 18. Golf club rentals are available for $6. Rental carts are $16 for nine holes and $20 for 18 holes every day of the week. Pull carts are $2 each.
The course is open every day from 7 a.m. to sundown except during special club tournaments.
A bucket of balls for the driving range is available by purchasing tokens at the pro shop for $4.
After play, golfers can relax in the clubhouse and enjoy a wide range of refreshments.
For more information, call 222-1031 or the pro shop at 222-1100.
Off season has plenty to offer area visitors
A cross-country skier works his way up a trail near Tower Falls
in Yellowstone National Park.
It’s called the “off-season,” but the fall, winter and spring in Park County are “on” with lots of recreational options
The traditional summer season begins on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. That leaves the rest of the year for visitors to enjoy hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and fishing. It’s also one of the best times to sightsee in Yellowstone National Park.
Deep winter snows drive thousand of elk out of the park into wintering grounds near Gardiner. Other wildlife also leave the park in search of better grazing - and they are often followed by the park’s wolves.
Gardiner boasts of probably being the only town where Main Street serves as a thoroughfare for elk, bison, big horn sheep, antelope, white tail and mule deer.
Yellowstone Park’s Lamar Valley is a great place for wolf-watching. The road through the north end of the park is plowed and open year-round.
The deep snows in Park County and Yellowstone Park provide ideal areas for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Mammoth Hot Springs, in Yellowstone National Park just south of Gardiner, is the hub of winter activity for the north part of the park.
Snowcoach trips to Old Faithful and Canyon, and guided and unguided ski trips, leave from Mammoth.
Snowmobiling is allowed in the park for the winter of 2007-08. However, all snowmobilers must be accompanied by a guide. Also, no sleds larger than a four-stroke engine are allowed.
There are plenty of snowmobiling opportunities in the Gallatin National Forest in Park County.
Cooke City bustles during the winter with skiers and snowmobilers who travel along the Beartooth Highway - which can be buried under more than 10 feet of snow - and the wide-open spaces of the high mountain plateaus.
Three area downhill ski areas - Bridger Bowl, Big Sky and Moonlight Basin - provide excellent skiing for everyone from the novice to the expert, and are home to some of the best powder skiing in the country.
Excellent fishing can be had in the fall and early spring, when area rivers are low and clear.
Spring runoff usually starts in May, and while the Yellowstone River can run high and muddy - much to the dismay of anglers - whitewater rafters and kayakers are delighted with the challenging water to be found running through Gardiner and nearby Yankee Jim Canyon.
