Overview
| Deep ocean...deep lake...deep river...deep creek...deep sh*t...the word "deep" is used to describe many things in life but a mountain is usually not on the list. Perhaps this mountain is named "Deep" because it sits just north of the Deep Creek drainage in Northwest Montana's Whitefish Range. |
 |
|---|
DEEP MOUNTAIN SUMMIT
Standing at 7406' Deep Mountain comes in at #25 in the United States portion of the Whitefish Range. Obviously not a high mountain by most standards Deep Mountain is still a great exercise in...well, exercise...plus you are rewarded at the summit with outstanding views of the surrounding peaks of the Whitefish Range and a short, off-trail, bonus scramble to get there.
Getting There
Drive 41 miles north of downtown Whitefish on US Hwy 93. Turn right onto Deep Creek Rd. After approximately one mile turn left onto the graveled Jeager Rd (#368). Drive up the well maintained graveled road for approximately 3 miles and then turn left onto Forest Service Road #7066. You will see signs indicating trailheads before this turn.
Parking area
Hiking up the un-marked FS Rd
Route Information
Hike up the FS road and pass one intersecting road from the right. The road will eventually curve back to the right and you will gain some minimal elevation. At approximately one mile you will come to a section of Trail #358 that is no longer maintained and a tree there still has a "Trail" sign nailed to it pointing right. Do not go up this section as it degenerates into a bushwack. Continue past this point on the road and it will eventually curve back to the left and shortly the actual trailhead comes into view.
Beginning of Trail #358
Correct Trail sign past trailhead cairn
Shortly after starting up the trail we were greeted by what you see in the image below...range cattle eat very well in this area.
 Greetings from the locals |
|---|
Hike up the mountain on the trail as it makes some very long switchbacks. Unfortunately, because you are hiking through old growth, thick forest there are not many views to be had until you come to this area, which is also a great place to sit, relax and have second breakfast before your final push to the summit.
 SP Member Cougar14 looking for the Deep Mountain summit |
|---|
Continue on the trail as you travel around an un-named lower point that sits to the west of Deep Mountain. As you come around to the south you get your first glimpse of the summit.
Continue on the trail until you reach the last switchback just below the summit ridge. Leave the trail at this point and begin the really fun portion of the climb.
The trail continues on for miles into the Whitefish Range
Looking at beginning of scramble
SCRAMBLE
COUGAR14 SURVEYS THE ROUTE AHEAD. YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS...GO AHEAD AND HOP ON THE ROCKS HERE OR TRAVEL ALONG THE SIDE OF THE CLIFFS UNTIL YOU FIND THIS BREAK. THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ROUTE AND IT IS SHORT, EASY, CLASS 2.
| ROUTE STATISTICS Un-marked FS Road-1.22 miles Elevation gain-minimal Trail #358-4.77 miles Elevation gain-2926' Off-trail scramble-.11 miles Elevation gain-180' Total one-way mileage-6.1 Total elevation gain-3106' |
Summit Views
 |
|---|
 |
|---|
Camping and Red Tape
Deep Mountain is located in the Kootenai National Forest which is bear country.Don't hike alone, carry bear spray and know how to use it, and make lots of noise at regular intervals as you hike.
The closest campground is located at Grave Creek Campground.
Helpful items include the following: Water, bear spray, and a Rexford/Fortine Ranger District Map available at the Murphy Lake Ranger Station located on the right side of Hwy 93 before you get to Deep Creek Road.
