Skalkaho Highway / MT 38

Trail Overview

This is far from your average Highway with its staggering views and rough dirt road. Reminiscent of the Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park but without the stop and go traffic, pavement, and gawking tourists (mostly), the Skalkaho Highway connects Hamilton to Philipsburg and Anaconda across the Sapphire Mountains. With an abundance of campsites (established and dispersed), hiking trails, and a network of dirt roads, you will be hard pressed to find a better area to spend a long weekend (and trust me, you'll need it if you plan on even scratching the surface). The road has some sections of pavement along the river but is mostly dirt and Skalkaho Pass closes during the winter when snows get too deep. While the road is maintained, it can often be heavily potholed or washed out in Spring. While most of the road is wide enough for two vehicles, there are some narrow and windy sections in the pass where you should take things slowly around blind corners.

Difficulty

The road is typically well maintained dirt and washouts are addressed fairly quickly.

History

This Highway was built in 1924 to link the Bitterroot and Philipsburg valleys to mines in the mountains.

Technical Rating