Near Big Timber to Blue and Granite Lakes
Granite peak rises above the lake.
Near Big Timber to Blue and Granite Lakes
Layers of mountains in the smoke.
Near Big Timber to Blue and Granite Lakes
Mountains rising above the creek on a smoky day.
Near Big Timber to Blue and Granite Lakes
Disappearing layers of mountains.
Near Big Timber to Blue and Granite Lakes
The Big Timber Falls.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Big Timber to Blue and Granite Lakes

4.6 (5 Ratings)
A great day trip through a dramatic valley to alpine lakes.
7.8
mi
Distance
2,333
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFishingLakeRiver/CreekViewsWaterfallWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
7.83mi
Distance
2,333ft
Elevation Gain
2,333ft
Elevation Loss
60%
Max Grade
8,391ft
High Point
6,463ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
From the parking lot, you enter the Big Timber Creek valley.The trail heads up mostly at railroad grade. Your first landmark along the way is the turn-off for Big Timber Falls Trail #330 at about a third of a mile. Cut in and check out the falls before continuing on the Big Timber Creek Trail #119 .Keep winding your way up the trail and about a mile in you cross the creek on a solid bridge. The walls of the valley have started to squeeze in at this point. Cross the creek again at a nice, open area at two miles.A powerful climb leads to some flatter hiking where the trail ends at the intersection of the Sweet Grass Trail and Blue Lake Trail #118. Coming off of the Big Timber Creek Trail #119, take a sharp left. As you come down to the creek, ignore the trail heading off to the right and rock hop across.Make your away through mature forest until you start switchbacks through scree. You end up getting channeled into a rift in the rock. The trail curves along and provides expansive views into the valley.Once you reach the top, you first come to a couple of alpine ponds with the remnants of an old cabin. Another short rise leads to the top of the ridge above Blue and Granite Lake.
History & Background
The Crazy Mountains were an important location for vision quests for the Crow people. The first section of the trail follows an old railroad line.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
Great trail, lots of wildflowers and berries, very rocky. Feels pretty steep the whole way. Lakes were great with a good number of camp spots if you're willing to look around the lakes. Made it to Crazy Peak as well.
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Contributors
Russell Hobart