Quick Tips
- You need to be in good physical condition
- Bring good optics and good quality clothing that can withstand the elements
- Always pack bear spray as you are in grizzly country
- Some of the mountain lakes provide good fishing opportunities
On The Ground
This district is the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area. It is a rugged mountainous area with many high peaks and numerous pristine subalpine and alpine lakes filled with Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. This district is located a few miles south of Bozeman and just north of Big Sky Ski area.
This district has a good goat population and only slightly down from historic highs. The goat quality is very good with numerous 9" or more billies. The Spanish Peaks get a lot of use in the summer by backpackers and horseback riders. Billies typically range from 8-9”
Terrain
The trailhead starts out in the creek bottom and it is a gradual ride for three miles along the stream, but the mountains are very steep from the creek to the tops of the peaks. The valleys are quite long and the headwaters are above timberline. From here it is talus slopes and boulder fields lead you up to the rocky ridges and sheer rock peaks. There are numerous subalpine basins and most of them have lakes in them.
Roughly 461 square miles
43.3% public land
Elevations from 6,000-11,000 feet
Vegetation
From the stream bottoms to mid slope it is heavily timbered with spruce, fir and pine conifers. The next elevation is covered with subalpine grasses and scattered stunted subalpine conifers. This elevation is also interlaced with boulder fields and rocky spines. From here there are steep talus slopes leading up to the rocky peaks, only alpine forbs, moss and lichens are found in this zone.
Access
The primary access is from Highway 191 to the Spanish Creek Road, follow this to the trailhead. From here it is backpack or horseback into an adventure of a lifetime. There are several other trailheads that will also get you into the district.
ATVs are not allowed in any part of this district
Camping and Lodging
There are spectacular places to camp throughout this district. Many are next to a subalpine lake full of trout. With a little bit of glassing you can spot goats from camp.
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