St. Mary Peak Trail #116

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Carry bear spray!

Follow this short, but moderately steep trail through sub-alpine conifer forest progressing to exposed rocky terrain. You'll pass from the Bitterroot National Forest into the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness about halfway through the trek.

The trail ends at the precipice of St. Mary Peak (9,351ft/2850m) where you'll have a 360-degree vantage of the surrounding area. At the peak is a functioning fire tower lookout constructed in 1953 and the foundational remains of a similar structure built in 1931 and destroyed in a windstorm in 1951.

In the summer months, you'll likely be greeted by a volunteer with the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation (selwaybitterroot.org) who staff the lookout.

Small mammals, birds, deer