Big Baldy Trail

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Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

The switchbacks on the north side of the mountain are large shale rocks. Most of this route is at or above treeline and there is no water from the start to the finish. Exposure on the plateau is high and care should be taken for thunderstorms.

The trail takes off from FS Road 101, about an hours drive from Great Falls. The trail follows the ridge to the south, climbing over the summit of Butcherknife Mountain, down a saddle and then up the north face of Big Baldy. The trail is a little sketchy with regards to route finding at times above timberline, but is marked with rock cairns. There is a peak register at the top prior to the descent to the Jefferson Creek Road.

From the summit you can see the Bear's Paw Mountains to the northeast, the Crazy Mountains to the south, the Big Snowies to the east, and on a clear day can see the Absoraka Range south of Livingston and Big Timber.

Outstanding wildflowers on the alpine plateau.