Near Storm Castle
Near Storm Castle
Near Storm Castle
Near Storm Castle
Near Storm Castle

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Hike Route

Storm Castle

4.6 (9 Ratings)
Also known as Castle Rock, this hike climbs to the top of a rock outcropping to excellent views of the surrounding area.
4.6
mi
Distance
1,942
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Geologically SignificantRiver/CreekViewsWildflowers

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
4.61mi
Distance
1,942ft
Elevation Gain
1,942ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
7,276ft
High Point
5,424ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
The Storm Castle Trailhead is easily accessible off of Highway 191. Turn east onto Storm Castle Road and immediately cross over the Gallatin River. Continue down Storm Castle Road for 2.0 miles, and a dirt pullout and the trailhead will be on the left. Storm Creek Road is gated below the trailhead during the winter, so for early to mid-spring hikes, just park down the road at the gate and follow the road the rest of the way to the trailhead. While much of the trail is south-facing, it doesn't melt out uniformly, so be ready for snow and ice when hiking in fall, winter, and spring.From the trailhead, the Storm Castle Mountain Trail #92 begins climbing immediately. The trail switchbacks steadily up the mountainside, passing through some patches of forest, but largely traversing open and exposed hillsides and meadows--this exposure, in combination with the south-facing slope, makes this a hot trail in the summer, so prepare accordingly with timing and adequate water.As the trail nears the summit, the switchbacks get tighter--while it might be tempting to scramble over the limestone and cut the switchbacks, please respect the area and stay on the trail! The final stretch passes through dense forest before emerging upon the outcroppings that constitute the summit. The rocks make for a great spot to snack and enjoy the views of Garnet Mountain to the south and Storm Castle Creek and the Gallatin River bellow. There's a neat rock arch as well, and some fun scrambling opportunities--just be careful around the steep edges of the bluff!

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Amber Scott