Overview
The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness covers 158,000 acres along a section of the Continental Divide in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and this 12-mile loop is the standard way to experience its full range of terrain. The route crosses two significant passes on or near the divide, dips into high cirque basins with alpine lakes, and returns through a drainage that offers views of the Big Hole Valley far below. The 2,500 feet of cumulative elevation gain earns the strenuous rating.
The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness is one of Montana's more underappreciated wilderness areas. It lacks the celebrity of the Bob Marshall to the north or the Absaroka-Beartooth to the east, and as a result it sees far less traffic. The combination of genuine wilderness character, Continental Divide scenery, and relative quiet makes it a compelling option for hikers who find the Beartooth Plateau crowded in summer.
The loop is technically a long day hike for fit, acclimatized parties. For most hikers, splitting it into two days with a camp near one of the divide lakes improves the experience considerably, allowing time to fish for the cutthroat trout that inhabit the cirque lakes and to watch the evening light change over the Big Hole basin.
The Route
Miles 0 to 4: Trailhead to First Pass
From the trailhead, the route climbs steadily through mixed conifer forest. The gradient is consistent but not brutal in this section, gaining approximately 1,400 feet over four miles. By mile 3, treeline is approaching and the views begin to open. The first pass sits at roughly 9,200 feet and marks the Continental Divide. On a clear day, the view from the pass extends south into the Big Hole country and north toward the Flint Creek Range.
Miles 4 to 7: Divide Traverse and Lake Basin
From the first pass, the trail follows the divide briefly before dropping into a cirque basin containing two alpine lakes. This is the loop's most rewarding section the lake basin is quiet, the water is clear, and the peaks above 10,000 feet frame the view on three sides. This is the natural campsite for overnight parties.
Miles 7 to 12: Second Pass and Return
The route climbs back to the divide over the second pass, slightly lower than the first, before descending the return drainage to the trailhead. This side of the loop sees less traffic than the approach, and the descent through dense spruce-fir forest is pleasant after the exposed upper terrain.
When to Visit
Mid-July through mid-September is the reliable window. Snow can hold on the passes into early July. September is excellent fewer hikers and stable weather. Late-season snowstorms are possible by late September or October.
Check current conditions before your trip using the conditions-checking guide.
What to Bring
Many hikers carry the following for this loop:
- Bear canister for overnight stays (required; see our bear canister guide)
- 3 liters of water capacity with filter or purification tablets
- Full rain and wind layers; the divide is fully exposed
- Bear spray (grizzly bear territory)
- Navigation tools: topo map and GPS; trail markers can be sparse on the divide
- Fishing gear and Montana license if targeting the cirque lakes
Individual needs vary. The sustained elevation gain means higher caloric demands than typical day hikes.
Practical Details
No permit is required for day hiking as of 2026. Self-registration at the trailhead wilderness boundary is standard. Fires are prohibited above treeline. Follow Leave No Trace principles throughout.
For more on what to expect in a national forest wilderness area, see our national forest vs. national park guide.
Getting There
From Anaconda, Montana (25 miles west of Butte on MT-1), take forest roads south toward the Middle Fork Rock Creek drainage. Specific road numbers are available from the Anaconda Ranger District. The trailhead is approximately 20 miles from Anaconda by road. From Butte, allow approximately 1 hour to the trailhead.