Overview of Mount Gibralter
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 Krag Peak, Krinklehorn Peak and Deep Mountain from Mt. Gibralter |
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Long Knife Peak (center) is one view that will not escape your eye!
Small pond on the trail in June
Mount Gibralter stands 7,131 feet and lies in Montana's and British Columbia's Whitefish Range. It is part of the 8 mile long Gibralter Ridge, but not the highest point. The ridge stretches all the way to Mount Barnaby and Therriault Pass.
Summit views include Independence Peak, Ksanka Peak, Green Mountain, Mt. Barnaby, Poorman Mountain, St. Clair Peak and Stahl Peak to the northwest.
To the northeast are Tuchuck Mountain the prodigious Long Knife Peak, Kinnerly Peak, Mount Kintla in Glacier National Park and Canada. Peaks in Canada include Commerce Peak, Kenow Mountain, Miskwasini Peak, Starvation Peak, King Edward Peak.
To the south is Krag Peak, Krinklehorn Peak, Deep Mountain and Mount Marston.
Getting There
Cat Creek Trailhead Sign. Good target practice for the locals.
Beginning of the trail
To access Mount Gibralter's Cat Creek trailhead drive 43 miles north of Whitefish on Highway 93 until reaching Grave Creek. Turn right onto Grave Creek Road.
From the Grave Creek turnoff it is 9 miles to the Cat Creek trailhead. Look for a sign to the left that says Cat Creek TR. NO. 333. Use the pullout to the right for parking.
Please note the photo above is taken from behind the sign.
Red Tape
 Tuchuck Mountain and Canadian Peaks |
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As with all hiking and climbing in Northwestern Montana use caution and practice good manners with the wildlife.
You are in bear and mountain lion country. Carry your bear deterrent, don’t hike alone and make lots of noise.
For more information on bears and mountains lions visit these websites.
Bears
Mountain Lions
Route Information
The trail starts out just right of Cat Creek on Mount Scotty a shorter peak next to Gibralter. The first part of the trail switches back several times gaining lots of elevation, then after the last one it heads west towards the Gibralter Ridge.From the Cat Creek trailhead it is 4.77 miles to the intersection where Cat Creek Trail NO. 333 meets with the Gibralter Ridge Trail NO. 335 which is much longer.
 Snow on the trail in June |  Cat Creek with snow |
 Cat Creek |
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After crossing the creek continue up the trail to where you will come to an open meadow. From there the trail starts gaining a lot of elevation again, but it pretty much does the whole way up.
The trail curves right heading north towards the intersection. Once you reach the intersection. The sign like most signs in the Whitefish Range is facing the wrong way, but the intersection is obvious.
 Sign at the intersection |  Gibralter Ridge Trail |
 Beginning of the bushwhack |
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Take the Gibralter Ridge Trail for .75 miles until reaching the northwest corner of the mountain. The trail will start to open up with scree. Begin the bushwhack right before the scree where there is still some vegetation.
The Bushwhack:
From the northwest corner to the summit it is a .10 mile. Once you're above the scree you still won't be able to see the summit. The top is a bare spot, but trees conceal the area around it. Go through the trees to wherever the way is clear just be sure you're still going up.
 Where is the summit? |  Nearing the last trees |
 Summit through the last trees |
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To reach the summit you will have to fight through the last bit of trees that block it. After getting through them the summit is a small open grassy hill covered with wood, nails and two benchmarks. Remember that the summit is not the highest point on the Gibralter Ridge so if you see a higher point do not be disappointed. Round trip is approximately 11.18 miles with an elevation gain of 3,671 feet.
The Summit:
 The summit |  Mt. Gibralter Benchmark #1 |
 Mt. Gibralter Benchmark #2 |
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When To Climb and Weather
Mount Gibralter can be done in summer and fall. Spring is also possible by snowshoeing to the summit, but be warned traveling on Grave Creek Road can be dangerous. The road is two lanes for approximately 3 miles then becomes a one lane paved road with pullouts so meeting another car especially in snow is unsafe. Traveling in winter is not recommended.Camping and Gear
Stahl Peak Lookout
Whitefish Range Peaks
