phantom creek trail review
Taking advantage of an early spring arrival means getting higher up on trails than expected. Sprite took full advantage of the situation and wants to share the glory with you!
Phantom Creek Trail offers stunning vistas
This week for a different spin, instead of a personal account of hiking the information will be laid out in a more formal trail review style. The usual trail eye candy views will still be on display though. Did I miss any information? Have a question?
Comment below. Enjoy!
USFS Custer Gallatin National Forest map
Phantom creek trail #17
Distances:
Slough Lake 2.5 miles
Phantom Lake trail 4.5 miles
Mystic Lake 11 miles
Elevation gain/loss: ~ 4,000 feet
Maps: USFS Custer Gallatin National Forest
Getting there: From I-90 take the exit to Columbus, MT then, follow MT-78 south 26.7 miles. Turn right onto Roscoe Rd. and drive 2.3 miles, cross the bridge and turn right (south) onto East Rosebud Rd. Drive 9.7 miles on gravel road (very bumpy but high clearance vehicle not necessary) to the trailhead on the right. Ample parking and no pit toilet can be found at the trailhead.
Description: The single track trail begins with gentle switchbacks and lovely south-facing views of East Rosebud Lake and the canyon. Once the trail levels out, you walk along the creek, through subalpine forest, and across open scree fields with stunning views of Saddleback Mountain, Froze-to-Death Mountain, Mount Hole-in-the Wall, and Shepard Mountain in the near distance. The route continues past Slough Lake, a widened section of Phantom Creek; then, climbs again toward Froze-to-Death Plateau. Phantom Creek Trail is one of the two routes towards Montana’s highest peak, Granite Peak.
USFS warns: “Please be aware that travelling in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness comes with additional regulations. Please know what is expected of visitors before entering the wilderness.”
Trail rating: Although the trail is “considered a challenging route” by All Trails, this factor is mainly due to the overall mileage and the elevation gain after passing Slough Lake. For a short, easy day 5-mile hike, simply enjoy a snack or lunch at Slough Lake before returning to the trailhead. If you want more of a burn, have a friend pick you up at the West Rosebud trailhead and hike the entire 11-mile route + the 3.5 miles to the West Rosebud trailhead or complete the full out and back for all 22-miles.
Slough Lake in the meadow is simply a wider section of Phantom Creek and worth the pit stop for a photo opp.