A 10,000 foot view, plus a little
The Highest Peak in the Bitterroot Mountains
Trapper Peak is located in southwest Montana, near the historic town of Darby.
The 10,157′ peak rises more than 6,500′ above the Bitterroot Valley floor.
It’s the tallest peak in the Bitterroot Mountains, more than 800′ taller than nearby St. Mary’s Peak near Stevensville.
Trapper Peak is the 200th tallest peak in Montana, about 1/2 mile shorter than the tallest peak, 12,799′ Granite Peak in the Beartooth Mountains.
It must feel strange for a mountain top to feel a little short when it’s over 10,000 feet tall, but this is Montana.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
This article may include affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you purchase using these links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Fire and Ice Created Trapper Peak
Tens of millions of years ago molten rock rose to the earth’s crust, then cooled to form huge expanses of granite rock that formed the Bitterroot Mountains.
Tectonic plates were colliding, magma was pushing from below, and the entire top of the Bitterroot Mountains slid dozens of miles to the east.
It was time for new peaks to emerge, and Trapper Peak was born.
Our Bitterroot Mountains article has a fascinating video that explains how the Bitterroot Mountains were formed, and it’s quite the story.
View from Trapper Peak
Flash back to a couple million years ago and this area was mostly covered in glacial ice.
Things looked a lot different around here during the Pleistocene Ice Age.
Huge glacial ice sheets were on the move, and they were cutting U-shaped canyons in the Bitterroot Mountains until they melted about 15,000 years ago.
Trapper Peak’s jagged granite peaks, horns and circs were carved and shaped by these glaciers, leaving behind the spectacular scenery we enjoy today.
It’s Easy to See
While Trapper Peak isn’t one of the tallest peaks in Montana, it’s one of the most iconic.
The visibility from Highway 93 and the popular historical marker stops most Bitterroot visitors, and many locals get the pleasure of seeing the peak from home or work.
Trapper Peak highway sign near Darby, MT
Although not as dramatic as the view from Highway 93, you can also see the peak from the south as you travel the West Fork Road (Hwy 473) towards Painted Rocks Reservoir.
Along with Lake Como and Skalkaho Falls, Trapper Peak is one of the most iconic features of the spectacular Bitterroot Valley.
It’s Not as Easy to Hike
Anywhere you find 10,000′ peaks, you’ll find hikers and climbers wanting to get to the top.
So it’s no surprise that hiking to Trapper Peak is a very popular summer activity in the Bitterroot Valley.
There are several routes to get to the peak, but the Trapper Peak Trailhead is the most popular route.
This hike begins at the end of Forest Service road 5630-A, and gains 3,800′ in just over 4 miles.
As the above video shows, most of the hike passes through pristine sub-alpine forest on a well maintained, but steep trail.
Once you emerge from the tree line, the hike becomes a little more challenging as the trail is less obvious and there’s plenty of scrambling on the loose rocky trail.
It’s a moderately difficult hike and hikers should be well prepared with plenty of water and extra layers as weather can change quickly in Montana.
That’s a Good Question
Trapper Peak rises 10,157 feet above sea level.
Granville Lee Shook named Trapper Peak in 1876 due to the success of fur trappers in the area.
Trapper Peak is located in southwest Montana near the town of Darby, MT.
Additional Resources
Summit Post’s article with additional hiking information.
Related Content
