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- Region
- Northern Rockies
- Country
- United States
- Trip length
- 28–34 miles (3–4 days)
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Desert Hiking
Key takeaways
- Trip length: 28–34 miles (3–4 days)
- Top activity: backpacking
Topic summary
Alpine Divide loop via Pintler Pass with snowpack and bear storage planning.
Intended uses
backpacking
Verification notes
Last verified October 15, 2026.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy trip tools
How to get there
Wilderness trailheads are reached by forest roads. U.S. Highway 93 serves the west side, Montana Highways 38 and 1 serve the north, and Montana Highway 43 serves the east and south. Confirm the specific trailhead and forest-road approach with the Pintler Ranger District before departure: 406-859-3211; office at 88 Business Loop, Philipsburg, MT 59858.
- U.S. Highway 93 western approach
Regional access corridor on the west side of the wilderness. Use the confirmed trailhead location to select the onward forest-road approach.
- Montana Highways 38 and 1 northern approaches
Regional access corridors serving the north side. Confirm the forest-road connection for the chosen wilderness entry before driving.
- Montana Highway 43 eastern and southern approaches
Regional access corridor serving the east and south sides. Wilderness entry is through trailheads on forest roads, rather than directly from the highway.
Sources: fs.usda.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
Animals around Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness StrategyAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy
Planning to fish Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy, Northern Rockies? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Northern Rockies are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy?
- A Northern Rockies fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Northern Rockies fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy may add its own fishing rules on top of Northern Rockies law — check the managing agency too.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Northern Rockies yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy
Thinking about hunting Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy, Northern Rockies? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Northern Rockies are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in Northern Rockies?
- A Northern Rockies hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Northern Rockies yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
A wilderness plan before a loop itinerary
The Anaconda Pintler Wilderness straddles the Continental Divide in southwest Montana, covering 158,656 acres of rugged mountain country. Elevations rise from 5,400 feet in the lower reaches to 10,793 feet on West Goat Peak, and mountain goats inhabit the high terrain. For a Pintler Pass Loop trip, start by confirming the actual trail connections, entry point, and campsite plan with the Forest Service rather than treating the trip name as a complete itinerary. Wilderness trailheads sit on forest roads, with approaches available from highways around several sides of the range. Choose an entry based on the verified route, not simply the closest highway. Hiking, backpacking, and stock travel are supported here, but lake-specific restrictions and seasonal stock rules can affect how a trip is put together.
Let pass conditions shape the trip
Passes are often snow-covered until mid-July, making snow conditions a central planning issue for travel across this part of the Continental Divide. That timing is not a guarantee of clear trails afterward: ask about the intended passes and approaches before committing to a loop. In high, rugged terrain, carry navigation tools, insulation, and weather protection, and leave enough flexibility to turn back rather than force a crossing beyond the group's ability. A shorter day hike can be a more practical choice when high-country conditions remain uncertain. Potable water is not available at the wilderness site, so bring water for the start and a treatment method for backcountry supplies. Observe mountain goats from a distance and check the current food-storage requirements before packing.
Permits, camps, and stock restrictions
A self-issued permit is required for wilderness entry. Complete a form at the trailhead or print the recreation-use form at home, fill in every section, deposit the appropriate copy in the trailhead collection box, and carry the remaining copy and regulations. Groups are limited to 12 people and 12 head of stock. Stays at any one site in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge or Bitterroot National Forest are limited to 16 days. Some high mountain lakes have camping and campfire restrictions, so verify each planned overnight location. Stock require certified weed-seed-free feed, and grazing or tethering within 200 feet of any lake is prohibited. Hope Lake Trail #424 is closed to stock. Stock use in the Pintler Ranger District portion of the wilderness is prohibited April 1 through July 1.
Route options
- Wilderness day hike
Choose a day hike from a confirmed wilderness trailhead when a longer high-pass trip is not suitable. Ask the Forest Service to identify a trail appropriate to current snow conditions and the group's ability; this is a trip format, not a specified loop.
- Wilderness backpacking itinerary
Build an overnight itinerary around verified trail connections and legal camps. For a proposed Pintler Pass Loop, confirm the full circuit before departure, check pass snow conditions, and review camping and campfire restrictions at each intended lake.
Sample itineraries
- One-day trail and conditions check · 1 day
Use a day hike to assess trail conditions before committing to a backpacking trip. Complete the wilderness permit and review trailhead regulations. Choose the trail with the Pintler Ranger District; turn back if snow or rugged terrain exceeds the group's ability.
- Two-day wilderness overnight · 2 days
Plan a conservative overnight on a trail confirmed with the Pintler Ranger District. Check camping restrictions before selecting a site, carry water treatment, and return the following day. This is a planning framework, not a verified Pintler Pass Loop route.
- Three-day pass-trip planning framework · 3 days
Allow an approach day, a day for pass travel if conditions permit, and an exit day. Confirm the actual loop, trailhead, camps, and daily travel requirements before departure. Passes often remain snow-covered until mid-July; extra time does not make an unverified route safe.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Before summer pass melt
Do not assume high passes are accessible for ordinary hiking. Passes often remain snow-covered until mid-July. Confirm conditions before choosing a route, and keep plans conservative.
Summer
Early summer through later summer
Passes are often snow-covered until mid-July; that is not a guaranteed clearing date. Check current conditions before committing to high terrain. Carry layers and water treatment for a rugged wilderness spanning substantial elevation.
Fall
Autumn
Plan for cold conditions and changing mountain weather. Confirm pass and forest-road access rather than assuming summer conditions persist. Keep enough flexibility to shorten the trip.
Winter
Winter
Treat this high, rugged Continental Divide wilderness as a cold-season undertaking, not a routine summer backpack. Confirm access and snow conditions with the managing agency before selecting a route.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Before summer pass melt | Do not assume high passes are accessible for ordinary hiking. Passes often remain snow-covered until mid-July. Confirm conditions before choosing a route, and keep plans conservative. |
| Summer | Early summer through later summer | Passes are often snow-covered until mid-July; that is not a guaranteed clearing date. Check current conditions before committing to high terrain. Carry layers and water treatment for a rugged wilderness spanning substantial elevation. |
| Fall | Autumn | Plan for cold conditions and changing mountain weather. Confirm pass and forest-road access rather than assuming summer conditions persist. Keep enough flexibility to shorten the trip. |
| Winter | Winter | Treat this high, rugged Continental Divide wilderness as a cold-season undertaking, not a routine summer backpack. Confirm access and snow conditions with the managing agency before selecting a route. |
Permits, fees & closures
A self-issued permit is mandatory for wilderness entry. Complete a trailhead form or print the recreation use form at home. Fill in every section, deposit the appropriate copy in the trailhead collection box, and carry the remaining copy and regulations.
Official source: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest | Anaconda Pintler Wilderness · Verified October 18, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Lingering pass snow: passes often remain snow-covered until mid-July. Verify conditions and turn back when travel exceeds the group's skills or equipment.
- Rugged, high-elevation terrain: wilderness elevations range from 5,400 to 10,793 feet. Match the route to the group's fitness and navigation ability.
- No potable water is provided. Carry drinking water and a treatment method for any water collected during the trip.
- Mountain weather: carry insulation and weather protection, and retain an option to retreat from high terrain.
What to pack for Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy
- Detailed trail map and compass
- Offline navigation with backup power
- Retained wilderness permit copy and regulations
- Wilderness Management Direction map for location-specific restrictions
- Drinking water and carrying capacity
- Water filter or other treatment method
- Food-storage equipment that meets the current Annual Food Storage Order
- Insulating layers
- Waterproof outer layers
- Sturdy footwear
- Headlamp and first-aid supplies
- Weather-appropriate shelter
- Sleeping bag and insulated sleeping pad
- Cooking setup selected after checking current restrictions
Wildlife you may see
- Mountain goats inhabit the wilderness's high, rugged terrain. Observe from a distance and give them room to move.
- Check the current Annual Food Storage Order before departure and store food accordingly. Do not feed wildlife.
Pintler Pass Loop: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Strategy FAQ
- Is there enough route information to follow the Pintler Pass Loop?
- Confirm the loop alignment, trailhead, trail connections, camps, and mileage with the Pintler Ranger District before departure. The itineraries here are planning frameworks, not turn-by-turn routes. Contact the district at 406-859-3211.
- Where is the wilderness, and how is it accessed?
- The Anaconda Pintler Wilderness straddles the Continental Divide in southwest Montana. Forest-road trailheads provide access. Regional approaches include U.S. Highway 93 to the west, Montana Highways 38 and 1 to the north, and Montana Highway 43 to the east and south.
- When are the passes clear of snow?
- Passes are often snow-covered until mid-July. Conditions vary, so do not treat that timing as assurance of snow-free travel. Check current conditions before setting out.
- What camping and group limits apply?
- Groups are limited to 12 people and 12 head of stock. Stays at any site in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge or Bitterroot National Forest may not exceed 16 days. Some high mountain lakes have additional camping and campfire restrictions; review the regulations before choosing camps.
- Can horses or pack animals accompany the trip?
- Stock is allowed subject to restrictions and requires certified weed-seed-free feed. Stock use in the Pintler Ranger District portion is prohibited April 1 through July 1. Hope Lake Trail #424 is closed to stock. Lake-specific camping, tethering, grazing, and access restrictions also apply.
- Are drinking water and restrooms available?
- Potable water is not available. Carry water and treatment equipment rather than relying on developed supplies. Confirm restroom availability at the chosen trailhead before arrival.