Camping,
Hiking and Traveling in Montana
MontanaHikes.com
MontanaHikes.com
Hike Index
H=Hike
C=Camp
V=Visit S=SkiLivingston Area
Elephanthead Mtn. H
Paradise Valley
S. Fk. Deep Creek H
Pine Creek H,C
George Lake H
Passage Creek Falls H
Crow Mountain H
Big Timber Area
Boulder River H,C,V
Natural Bridge Falls H,C,V
Big Timber Creek Falls H,C,V
West Boulder Meadows H,C
Twin Lakes H,C
Bozeman Area
Chestnut Mountain H
Goose Creek H,S
Mystic Lake H
Lava Lake H
Central Montana
Little Belt Mountains H,C,V,S
Castle Mountains H,C
Central MT Railroading V
Crystal Lake H,C,V
Judith Mountains V
Judith Gap Wind Farm V
Moccasin Mountains V
Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness
Anvil Lake H,C
Chestnut Mountain Trail
by the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, the Trust for Public Lands and many
others. The easily accessible trail opens up great hiking, mountain
biking and rock climbing opportunities. The acquisition and development
of this trail is a real testament to the people who worked to make it
happen and all of us owe them our appreciation for working so hard to
provide new public access. The trailhead is one of the easiest to find that you will ever visit. Exit Interstate 90 at Exit 316 (Trail Creek) which is about 8 miles East of Bozeman and 17 miles West of Livingston. At this exit you want to go south of the Interstate on Trail Creek Road. This means that if you are traveling from Bozeman you will turn right at the off ramp and if you are coming from Livingston you will turn left and drive under the Interstate. The Trail head for Chestnut Mountain and Frog Rock is located right on Trail Creek Road less than ¼ mile from the Interstate. The trailhead is obvious with and information sign and parking area. Although only a few cars will fit in the official parking lot there is plenty of room for vehicles along the roadside.
It’s a good thing there’s plenty of parking as this is a popular trail. It’s likely that a lot of hikers are visiting because it is a new trail but the fact that it is close to both Livingston and Bozeman insures that it will remain popular. The trail is open to all types of non-motorized use and you will find both hikers and mountain bikers happily sharing the trail. There is no water along this trail so be sure to take plenty with you. Before you go be sure to download and print the Chestnut Mountain Trail Map.
The trailhead and first section of the trail are officially the Chestnut Mountain Trail (forest trail #458). The trail starts on private land with an easement for the trail. Please respect the landowners who are allowing public access and stay on the trail for this
From different places on the Chestnut Mountain Trail you will get
views of the Bridger, Crazy, Absaroka and Tobacco Root Mountains. Here,
the south end of the Bridger Mountains are seen to the north.
The Frog Rock Trail is a mile long spur trail that takes rock climbers to the Frog Rock area which is popular with climbers. It is a one way spur trail and most hikers will prefer to continue on the Chestnut Mountain Trail instead of taking this branch.
After the Frog Rock intersection the Chestnut Mountain Trail continues to climb toward the south. As you gain altitude you are treated to views of mountain ranges in all directions. The Bridger Mountains dominate the skyline to the north with the Crazy Mountains to the far northeast - but only visible once you climb high enough. Views of the Absaroka Mountains are seen to the east and southeast and the Tobacco Root Mountains are visible in the far distance across the Gallatin Valley to the west. When the views are right you can see most of Bozeman in the valley to the west. The Montana State University Dome is very obvious on the southern side of town.
The Chestnut Mountain Trail climbs steadily away from Interstate 90
but the highway is visible from many sections of the trail. From this
vantage you can see the Crazy Mountains in the distance.The trail beyond the intersection continues on the old road bed for another ¾ mile or so until it becomes a newly constructed single track trail. The trail climbs steadily through both forest and meadow in a series of long switchbacks. Some of the meadows near the ridge are spectacular fields of wildflowers. The trail reaches the Chestnut Mountain ridge line at about 4.6 miles, having climbed 2,200 feet from the parking area. From here the trail continues on and eventually connects to trails from Goose Creek and from Bear Canyon. However, most people choose to turn around and return after reaching the ridge and enjoying the views.
The Chestnut Mountain Trail is a great new hike that offers easy access to hiking, biking and climbing opportunities. The trail is in great shape and takes you to some fantastic views. As with many trails in the mountains, this one
Fields
of wild flowers blanket the mountainsides near the Chestnut Mountain
ridge line. In the spring these meadows explode with color.Montanahikes.com
- your source for reliable information about hiking camping and
traveling in Montana!