The Beartooth range sits in south central Montana and North Central Wyoming.

The Beartooth range was named after its namesake Beartooth Mountain. The beartooth range is known for a number of things besides its size and remote lakes. It is the range where all of Montana's 27 12,000 ft peaks exist. Approximately 25 small glaciers exist in the Beartooths with Grasshopper Glacier being one of the more unique.

Grasshopper Glacier

The Beartooth's are home to Granite Peak (12,799), the states highpoint. Granite peak is known for its class 3/4 terrain and difficulty rating amongst other state highpoints.

From Livingston, Montana the Beartooth Mountains are bordered by Red Lodge on the east, the Yellowstone River on the west and south, and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone in the southeast. The Beartooth Mountains are part of the greater Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The Absaroka-Beartooth (AB) Wilderness was designated in 1978 by the United States Congress. The Beartooth Primitive Area (225 Thousand plus acres) and the Absaroka Primitive Area (64 Thousand acres) plus a considerable amount of additional wilderness surrounding these two areas now form the AB Wilderness. The primitive areas were originally set aside during 1932 to protect their natural state. The AB Wilderness currently managed by the Forest Service.

The beartooths are composed of granite and crystalline metamorphic rocks. They are the location of the largest known deposits of platinum and chrome and the second largest deposits of nickel found in the U.S. The region is also one of the few remaining with sizable populations of Grizzly bears outside of Alaska and Canada. Black bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx are also found here. Primarily plants and grasses exist above the 9,000 foot (2,700 m) timberline and spruce, fir, whitebark pine and lodgepole pine are found below.

The Beartooths are well known for their 300+ alpine lakes rich in trout. The Boulder River begins in the AB Wilderness, and flows north where it merges with the Yellowstone in Big Timber. The Boulder River provides fishing as well as river side camping sites in the Gallatin National Forest. It winds its ways through valleys and over waterfalls creating stunning and scenic backdrops. It is a great river for a weekend of camping and fly fishing.

The vastness of the wilderness area and remoteness of its peaks makes the Beartooths an excellent range for backcountry travel and climbing. There are a number of ranch style resorts peppered throughout the range providing horse back riding, Christian retreats and fishing.

Beartooth Scenic Byway

If scenic vistas interest you, the Beartooth Scenic Byway is where you need to go. Start your journey on Highway 212 at the border of Custer National Forest in Red Lodge Montana. You'll have the ultimate high-country experience as you wind through the Custer, Shoshone, and Gallatin National Forests to the Byway's end near the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park. You'll see rugged mountains, icy glaciers, and alpine meadows full of wildflowers. No doubt you will see plenty of marmots.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring
Spring travel in the Beartooths requires knowledge of Forest service roads and winter gear due to the nature of weather that occurs April - June. It is common to have temperatures in the 70's during the day and snow at night.

Summer - Fall

Summer and Fall are the ideal times to hike and climb in the Beartooths. All of the Forest service roads are available by this time making many of the more remote areas accessible. The summer is categorized by cool nights and hot summer days where mosquitos and flies are thick. There have been early summer snowfalls on higher plateaus but proper planning can mitigate rough weather.

Due to the nature of the area, thunderstorms and lightning should always be a concern during Spring through Fall. A good plan is to make sure you summit and are back down to the tree line or below by early afternoon.

Winter Conditions

Winter
Winter climbing in the Beartooths will require proper planning. Most of the Forest service roads are closed during the winter leaving many peaks out of range for anything but the most extreme climbers. The weather in winter can be foul with blinding snowstorms, mixed rain and snow and high wind speeds. Winter camping can be fun on the Plateau's that the Beartooths are well known for provided you create protection for the high winds that often exist in these unprotected areas. Appropriate avalanche safety knowledge is a must when attempting these peaks due to the heavy snowfall.

Links for More Information

US Forest Service Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Page

Camp on the boulder

Hawley mountain guest range

Beartooth Scenic Byway

Gallatin Avalance Information

Cody Ice

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