Granite Peak - Montana's Highpoint

Hiking in Montana

Nearby Destinations

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Nearby Guides

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 18.7 miles / 30 km
Duration: Multiple days

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Overview: This 12,799 located in the Beartooth Mountain Range of Montana in the Rockies is one of the harder state highpoints to get due to the distance technical challenge of the last 200 feet of the summit block. When you get up there it will look impossible but if you can make it across the snow bridge safely there is a route you can scramble up to the summit. Some will want to bring a rope though with some protection so they can rappel down from the top. This is a wonderful two day climb through beautiful alpine lakes with lots of mountain goats to see along the way.

Tips: Mystic Lake Trailhead Directions:
The West Rosebud Trailhead is about 80 miles southwest of Billings. Take the Columbus exit from I-90, and then Montana Highway 78 through Absaroka and turn right (west) toward Fishtail which is about 17 miles from Columbus. From here drive southwest about a mile and then turn left (south) onto West Rosebud Road. Follow this paved road for just over 6 miles until reaching a fork. Turn left here follow the dirt road for 14 miles (West Rosebud Lake Road #17) until you reach the trailhead.

Points of Interest

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Trailhead Gate

West Rosebud Trailhead. Plenty of parking and there are no fees.

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Northeast End of Mystic Lake & Dam

The Dam at the end of Mystic Lake and looking down the valley you drove up to get to the trailhead.

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Beautiful Mystic Lake

As you follow the trail around this lake you will be amazed at the views. It won't be till after you have begun climbing up and away from the lake that you'll get glimpses of Granite.

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Princess Lake Campsite

A great place to camp for the night before an early morning ascent on the summit. Keep your eyes out for mountain goats.

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Cold Lake

A small alpine lake you'll pass on the way up.

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Avalanche Lake

Rounding large Avalanche Lake you will start your final big climb at the end of it up glaciated slopes.

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Scree Slope

Climbing the scree slope above Avalanche Lake towards a glaciated slope ahead.

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Ascending the Snow

It's a good idea to bring an ice axe and crampons for this part.

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Ascending from the Col

Heading towards the top from the col.

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Approaching the technical summit block

From here the next 200 feet or so to the top looks impossible. Many people bring ropes and pro for this part. There is a very narrow snow bridge with a lot of exposure and it doesn't look like there is a route to the top but there is. I would use this guide but also talk to locals and look at other paperback guidebooks as we were forced to stop at this point because we didn't have a rope and felt it was unsafe to continue on.