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Chief Joseph Pass, Montana, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Difficulty

Moderate

Maps

USGS 7.5 Quadrangles: Lost Trail Pass, Sula. USFS: Bitterroot National Forest or Beaverhead National Forest and Beaverhead National Forest

Length

15+ miles of various loops.

Directions

The trail system starts on north side of Highway 43 at Chief Joseph Pass. Chief Joseph Cross Country Ski Trail is located on the continental divide on the western Montana border about 40 miles south of Hamilton and 100 miles south of Missoula. Take Highway 93 south of Missoula, to Chief Joseph Pass. Turn on Highway 43. In addition to the 15-mile Chief Joseph segment, there are eight loop trails maintained by the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club, which provide a variety of lengths and skill levels. The Bitteroot Cross Country Ski Club also has a well-detailed map on their website.

Closest Town

For More Information

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest – http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/bdnf/, Bitter Root National Forest – http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/, Montana Official State Travel Site, Chief Joseph Cross Country Ski Trail – http://www.visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordId=13976&SiteId=1, Bitter Root Cross Country Ski Club – http://bitterrootxcskiclub.net/

Chief Joseph Pass, near the northern limits of the Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range is popular for year-round recreation and wildlife viewing. In the summer, it is enjoyable to hike on the Continental Divide Trail or try the ski trail loops in the winter. This historically diverse section of Trail is excellent for cross-country skiing and allows for easy access in a densely forested area. A strong sense of the past resonates as you start out at Chief Joseph Pass named after the chief of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce and one of the leaders of the Native American resistance to white invasion in the United States. Chief Joseph , Nez Perce name was In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat which means thunder coming from the water over the land. There is no water at Chief Joseph Pass so bring plenty. Contact: the Bitterroot National Forests Sula Ranger District 406-363-7100 or West Fork Ranger District 406-821-3201.