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Sacagawea Peak

North Bridgers

Climb the high point of the Bridger Range.

Hiking Severe

Distance
6.9 km
Ascent
609 m
Descent
609 m
Duration
2-3 hrs
Low Point
2.3 km
High Point
2.9 km
Gradient
13˚
Sacagawea Peak Map

Sacagawea Peak reigns as the highest point in the Bridger Range. While its 9,654-foot elevation doesn't sound like much compared to other Rocky Mountain summits, this mountain is rocky, rugged, and stunningly beautiful.

Description

The most common approach to the summit begins from the Fairy Lake Trailhead near Fairy Lake Campground. The route as mapped gains about 2,000 vertical feet in just 2.2 miles one-way. This short but steep climb is rightfully demanding, only allowing upward passage to the truly committed.

"The trail climbs through a glacial cirque and up to Bridger Divide, between Sacagawea and Hardscrabble Peaks; from the divide, the trail winds up to a rocky summit for fantastic views," writes OutsideBozeman.com. Some sections of the trail are quite rocky and technical, while other stretches of the high alpine singletrack offer fairly quick hiking.

Take some time to enjoy the stunning view from the summit—you've earned it! Unless you're connecting to a bigger objective (part of this route runs concurrently with the Bridger Ridge trail), return to your car the way you came.

Note:

The Bozeman area is renowned as prime grizzly bear country. Signs at every trailhead warn that bears are highly active in the area. To mitigate the risk of bear encounters, make plenty of noise while hiking, try to hike with a group of people, and consider attaching a bear bell to your backpack. Also, make certain that you carry bear spray with you every time you hike, in case you do get into an encounter with a grizzly.

Sources: https://www.summitpost.org/sacagawea-peak/152809 https://outsidebozeman.com/trails-tours/hiking-trails/sacagawea-peak-trail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SacagaweaPeak

Difficulty

Severe

Hiking challenging trails where simple scrambling, with the occasional use of the hands, is a distinct possibility. The trails are often filled with all manner of obstacles both small and large, and the hills are very steep. Obstacles and challenges are often unexpected and can be unpredictable.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between July and October

Features

  • Alpine
  • Picturesque
  • Summit Hike

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area