This is an easy Class 2 route, with some talus hiking. The ridge, once attained, is mostly gentle, so the talus isn’t that bad to traverse.

If the summit is all you want, you can bag it on a long day outing. Expect to hike about 17 miles RT and gain about 4100’ in elevation. If, however, you’d like to see more of the area, which I highly recommend doing, Jerome Rock Lakes makes a nice camping area and a base of operations.

Getting There

About two thirds of the way between Big Sky and Gallatin Gateway along U.S. 191 (closer to Gallatin Gateway), Spanish Creek Road heads west. This is a major gravel road and is hard to miss, but still watch carefully, especially if you’re approaching from the south. Follow Spanish Creek Road, a good gravel route passable to almost any vehicle, through some classic Montana ranch country all the way to the road’s end just inside Gallatin National Forest at the Spanish Creek guard station. A picnic area and small campground are here at the trailhead, elevation 6080’. Expect about a 30-minute drive from U.S. 191 to the trailhead.

Route Description

Summit view showing most of the route from the lakes.

Hike up Trail 407 nearly 4 miles until you reach a junction with Trail 410, which climbs somewhat steeply along the course of Falls Creek but is the most direct way to Jerome Rock Lakes. Reaching the lakes, the lowest (and best for camping) of which is at 8740’ requires about 7.5 miles of hiking via Trail 410. It’s closer to 9 miles if you take Trail 407 to Trail 401 and then to the lakes (make sure to head right at the junction with Trail 412), but that way is not as steep and might be the better route, at least heading up, for backpackers.

Look for a use trail crossing the outlet of the lowest lake and then climbing on the south side of the creek feeding the lake. This use trail is often faint and may be soggy or snow-covered, but just use your common sense and follow the stream to the middle lake and then to the highest lake, which, at 9030’, is the most scenic and austere of the three lakes and is also the end of the approach. In early summer, you may find spectacular snow bridges near some of the cascades, but be very cautious about stepping out on them.

Hike left (east) a bit, actually away from the mountain, and find a way to the ridgeline, where you will have great views of the Spanish Peaks and of the big, open country to the west. The cliffs directly behind the lake make for an impractical and potentially very difficult approach to the ridgetop, but experienced climbers might find some fun on them. In fact, if I ever go back, I’ll probably take a shot at them myself. Atop the ridge, just follow it west to the summit. Take time to appreciate all the tundra flowers everywhere, and try not to trample them.

The views are, of course, panoramic and spectacular. To descend, follow the ridge to Point 10,007 and then work your way down to a use trail leading to and from Marcheta Lake. That trail soon joins Trail 401, and then you can head back to the trailhead the way you came or follow 401 north to Trail 409, which descends northeast to another Trail 401, which leads to the parking area. Sound confusing enough?

Those still up for a little adventure can instead descend from the saddle between the summit and Point 10,007 toward a tiny, nameless tarn tucked against the mountain (there pictures of this tarn on the main page and in the gallery for this one). This beautiful spot is visible from above and makes for a lovely, secluded rest in the warmth of the fully risen sun. A stream drains the tarn and crosses the main trail a little north of Jerome Rock Lakes. Reaching the trail will require negotiating some minor cliffs and/or snowbanks.

The area's trail system.

Essential Gear

An ice axe might be useful for snow slopes you may encounter, but I just had trekking poles when I went and had no problems.

There is a lot of water out here, so have insect repellent, a suit of armor, or a high capacity for suffering from the ravages of the mosquitoes.

Images