Mountaineering in Montana — Guided Granite Peak Expedition

Montana’s Highest Summit

Granite Peak (12,807’) is Montana’s highest summit and one of the most challenging state highpoints in the country. Located deep in the Beartooth Wilderness south of Billings, reaching the summit requires a multi-day expedition through spectacular alpine terrain — glacier crossings, exposed scrambling, the infamous “snowbridge” ridge, and technical 5.4 rock climbing on the final push. This is a serious mountaineering objective that rewards strong, motivated climbers with one of the most remote and rewarding summit experiences in the Northern Rockies.

Our Granite Peak Programs

5-Day Granite Peak Expedition: The standard itinerary. Hike from the West Rosebud trailhead to Mystic Lake on day one, establish camps progressively higher through the Froze-to-Death Plateau and Tempest Col, summit on day four, and hike out on day five. Your guide handles route-finding, technical systems, and decision-making on the exposed upper mountain.

6-Day Granite Peak Expedition: The same route with a built-in weather/acclimatization day. The extra day provides a buffer for weather delays and allows for more relaxed pacing — especially valuable for climbers coming from lower elevations. Porters available for both itineraries.

Season & Getting Here

Granite Peak expeditions run July through early October, with the most reliable conditions in late July through August. Trips typically meet in Red Lodge, Montana for a gear check with your guide. Red Lodge is approximately 1 hour from Billings Logan International Airport (BIL).