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A premier Ridge Hike in Southwest Montana following the length of the Bridger Mountain Range.


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Map Key

18.7

Miles

30.1

KM

Point to Point

9,592' 2,924 m

High

4,995' 1,523 m

Low

4,060' 1,237 m

Up

6,840' 2,085 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

57%

Max Grade (29°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

A long day-hike from a Northern trailhead on the East side of the Bridger Mountains that hikes up to and follows nearly the entire length of the range before dropping down thousands of knee-pounding feet to the very southern terminus.

Description

The Bridger Ridge Traverse starts at the end of the long and bumpy Fairy Lake Road where hikers get right to work climbing from Fairy Lake up to the top of Sacagawea Peak. From here, wave hello to the seemingly ever-present mountain goats before beginning the long, rocky trek south toward Bozeman.

Hikers follow the spine of the Range for the first few miles touching the top of Naya Nuki Peak before dropping slightly down to the west around Ross Peak to Ross Pass on the Bridger Mountain National Recreation Trail. At Ross Pass, leave the lower trail at a large, obvious junction and climb the gruelingly steep path back up the ridge. From here you'll stay high for the views for dozens of miles topping out along many high points including Saddle Peak, Bridger Peak, and Baldy Peak among other unnamed points. You'll pass Bridger Bowl Ski Area and be delighted with expansive views of all the other ranges adjacent to the Bozeman Area.

From Baldy Peak begin the knee-pounding, steep downhill until reaching the extremely popular College M Trail. From here join the hordes of day-hikers keeping your smug thoughts about how hardcore a hiker you are compared to these folks out for a mere stroll up the bottom of a mountain.

Contacts

Shared By:

Sam H

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 18 votes

#454

Overall
  4.8 from 18 votes
5 Star
89%
4 Star
6%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#12

in Montana

#454

Overall
55 Views Last Month
23,483 Since Apr 22, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
79%
21%

Photos

Approaching Saddle Peak from the South.
Oct 18, 2015 near Bozeman, MT
South bound view from top of Sacagawea Peak.
Aug 27, 2021 near Bozeman, MT
Mountain goat
Apr 23, 2015 near Bozeman, MT
North bound at Ross Pass.
Aug 27, 2021 near Bozeman, MT
North bound along the ridge to Baldy.
Aug 27, 2021 near Bozeman, MT
Sub-alpine in the Bridger Mountains on the Sacagawea Peak Trail
Apr 22, 2015 near Bozeman, MT

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