Big Hole Pass

Big Hole Pass to Little Lake, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest – Montana-Idaho border

Description: “This southwest corner of Montana holds any number of the most beautiful, remote, and little known hikes of the CDT,” according to author and Big Sky native, Scott Bischke. One of Bischke’s favorite hikes is the 26-mile trek from Big Hole Pass to Little Lake. From the pass the CDT carries you through healthy forests, across hilly slopes with the Pyramid Peak looming ahead, down into Idaho, then back up to the alpine country and the Divide atop 4th of July Creek. Look down to see the stunning double jewels of Twin Lakes sparkling below, and beyond them the vast Big Hole Valley, including the Big Hole Battlefield where Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce battled with the US Army.

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 26 miles

Directions: From the Montana-side of the divide, Big Hole Pass is accessible 27 miles from the town of Wisdom on Highway 43, via Forest Service Roads 934 and 624. On the other side of the divide Gibsonville, Idaho, via US-93, is 8.5 miles from Big Hole Pass. Follow Dahlonega Creek Road 079, which is 2WD in good weather, east to the pass.

Maps: USGS 7.5 Quadrangles: Big Hole Pass, Shewag Lake, Jumbo Mountain, Homer Youngs Peak.

Other Information:
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Big Hole National Battlefield
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Wisdom Ranger District at (406) 689-3243.