Montana

Bozeman: The Sentinel via Windy Pass Trail

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Climb the rocky guardian of the northern Gallatin Range on this 10-mile out-and-back to a skyline full of lofty pinnacles.

Glacier National Park: Pitamakan Pass to Dawson Pass

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Hike over three mountain passes into glacier-carved basins with crystalline lakes and bird's-eye views on this 17.6-mile loop. Don't forget your camera.

Stuart Peak

Skip the Rattlesnake Rec Area crowds by using the Grant Creek trail head (just 5 minutes from Missoula!) and the ravine trail. One of the highest peaks in the Rattlesnake, Stewart Peak offers breathtaking views of the Mission and Swan ranges, the Missoula valley, and Lolo peak.

CDT_Anaconda_45MT

    The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness is a beautiful, yet little know section of southwest Montana. This Wilderness has a legacy of being protected land, created with the initial Wilderness Act of 1964.  That aside, it historically has had little user traffic.   Backpacker Magazine has actually helped increase the number of visitors over the the last number of years with articles presenting the areas subtle beauty.  Local land managers, therefore, want the area to be experienced by all, but also framed by the regulations regarding a Wilderness area.      Every Wilderness has certain regulations in common, such as no motorized equipment of any kind, the observance of "Leave No Trace" guidelines, no damaging or trampling of natural resources, and to observe all posted signs.  Each protected area also has their own unique regulations in addition to those common with every Wilderness.  The Anaconda-Pintler requires every group to register at their beginning trailhead and carry a register tag throughout the trip.  Group sizes must be twelve people or less and current fire conditions must be checked before heading into the backcountry.  If groups are using stock, they are asked to abide by local regulations and camp away from water sources.  Proper bear storage techniques are also needed throughout the Wilderness.   Black bears are common here and grizzlies have been spotted infrequently over the years, therefore food should not be available for ones safety.  Even backpacks should be hung at night so as to avoid chewing from porcupines, deer, and other ground animals.     Local Wilderness Rangers would also like visitors to be proactive in the area's "Leave No Trace" policy.  Campers are asked to find campsites approximately 100 ft from streams and 200ft from lakes.  Managers would like these users to disperse their camping sites versus using existing spots, so that areas do not become over used and vegetation is not excessively eroded.  As more visitors and Continental Divide thru-hikers frequent this pristine area, hopefully a legacy of stewardship will endure. 

The High Life: Granite Park Chalet, MT

BACKPACKER Review
Discover Glacier's historic lodging.

2012 Glacier Unforgettable Sweepstakes Offical Rules

BACKPACKER Review

The CDT Project

BACKPACKER Slideshow
209 BACKPACKER readers were dispatched to GPS map the CDT & they sent along some amazing photographs.

August 2008 Reader Photos

BACKPACKER Slideshow
Waterfalls and sunsets rule in this summer batch of BACKPACKER reader photos.

The CDT Project: Wildlife

BACKPACKER Video
Big and small, the Backpacker teams spotted a variety of wildlife along the CDT