Super great hike with incredible views all the way to Helena and all tobacco roots! easiest route is from mason lake TH. Road up to the trail head was sketchy even in my high lift Subaru forester (09). roads are tricky but should be no problem following directioins listed here. Easy 7-8 mile roundtrip to the top of Hollowtop, looping in Jefferson adds a ridgewalk that loops in an extra mile an a half or so. Easy hike, follow the ramp, make your own route!
JaBisch - Sep 2, 2019 9:21 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2019
Warning!
August 11th 2019 there was a microburst that has rendered the east (right) side of the lake to Deep lake trail all but impassable. We went south (left) around Hollowtop Lake to get to the base of the bowl initially and didn't know about the downed forest. On the way back we took the gully from the bowl back to deep lake and were left with no choice besides scrambling over trees that had quite a bit of movement left in them. Use caution of you take this route.
The image shown at the top of the guide is also of Horse Mountain and Jefferson, not Jefferson and Hollowtop.
Beyond that the views from the top are unrivaled and 100% worth the fight to get there.
Super Dave - Oct 6, 2018 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2018
Great range!
Really enjoyed our Tobacco Roots hike via the Phelps Lake trail from the north. Climbed both Hollowtop and Jefferson. This was meant to be a “rest day” between Hilgard and Crazy, but still a workout. The crux may have been the 4WD road. Trip Report
Took the Northeast Ramp from Mason Lake. Super easy and fun route.
Peaker - Jul 6, 2015 6:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2012
North Ramp
Took the easiest route up the mountain from the road that goes past Cataract Lake, making for a short hike with good views most of the way up. The Tobacco Roots are a wonderful mountain range.
jdarr67 - May 2, 2014 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
West Gully
Climbed with Geoff and Nathan. Excellent day. A little soft and melting snow up higher, but didn't cause problems. What a great peak. Did not traverse to Jefferson this time.
Met up late with a buddy at the TH around 11:30, with plans to stay overnight at the lake. Hiked in with a full ruck (blew my wad a bit til dropping off most camping gear at Hollowtop Lake). Summit via the draw to the saddle by 5:30, Jefferson by 6:30, back to camp by 8pm. Between being sick, hiking in the heat of the day, and getting turned around bushwhacking multiple times, probably extended the trip longer than necessary. Fly fishing those alpine lakes was gorgeous and worth the effort. *Recommend going left of Hollowtop Lake and following the slightly more worn in trail before bushwhacking the rest. Much rock hopping. Also recommend staying to the far left of the draw on the way to the saddle - a lot more grass and less ankle / leg breaker rocks
MTfred19 - Mar 5, 2011 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2010
Hollowtop
Southwest ridge from Hollowtop Lake. Awesome introduction to the Tobacco Roots!
nickL - Jul 13, 2010 1:31 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2010
Hollowtop
Fun afternoon hike. Went up the ramp NE of the peak, about 2 and a half hours car to summit. Crazy windy on top but otherwise really good weather. The road was really washed out and pretty hairy in a few sections, but managed to get the explorer all the way up to where it narrows down to just 4 wheelers.
wyomtman - Dec 7, 2009 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2007
Hollowtop
Hiked up the west side, via a gulley that had recently slide, lots of debris. Snowboarded another gulley NW from the summit. Fantastic range with numerous adventure possibilities.
wildfiredjade - Feb 11, 2024 4:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2023
Fun dayDid this on a sweltering day in July. Linked up these peaks to three others to make it a full + fun day!
Kade_Illian - Jul 18, 2021 11:25 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2021
Jefferson, Hollowtop, and HorseGreat climb!
Kyle Van Vleet - Jul 21, 2020 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2020
NE RampClimbed Hollowtop and Jefferson via the NE ramp. Awesome Views. Road up to the Mason Lake TH is a bit rough.
CamDole - Jul 6, 2020 4:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2020
Adaptable climb straight up the rampSuper great hike with incredible views all the way to Helena and all tobacco roots! easiest route is from mason lake TH. Road up to the trail head was sketchy even in my high lift Subaru forester (09). roads are tricky but should be no problem following directioins listed here. Easy 7-8 mile roundtrip to the top of Hollowtop, looping in Jefferson adds a ridgewalk that loops in an extra mile an a half or so. Easy hike, follow the ramp, make your own route!
JaBisch - Sep 2, 2019 9:21 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2019
Warning!August 11th 2019 there was a microburst that has rendered the east (right) side of the lake to Deep lake trail all but impassable. We went south (left) around Hollowtop Lake to get to the base of the bowl initially and didn't know about the downed forest. On the way back we took the gully from the bowl back to deep lake and were left with no choice besides scrambling over trees that had quite a bit of movement left in them. Use caution of you take this route.
The image shown at the top of the guide is also of Horse Mountain and Jefferson, not Jefferson and Hollowtop.
Beyond that the views from the top are unrivaled and 100% worth the fight to get there.
Super Dave - Oct 6, 2018 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2018
Great range!Really enjoyed our Tobacco Roots hike via the Phelps Lake trail from the north. Climbed both Hollowtop and Jefferson. This was meant to be a “rest day” between Hilgard and Crazy, but still a workout. The crux may have been the 4WD road. Trip Report
Highpointer1837 - Jul 25, 2018 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2018
HollowtopTook the Northeast Ramp from Mason Lake. Super easy and fun route.
Peaker - Jul 6, 2015 6:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2012
North RampTook the easiest route up the mountain from the road that goes past Cataract Lake, making for a short hike with good views most of the way up. The Tobacco Roots are a wonderful mountain range.
jdarr67 - May 2, 2014 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
West GullyClimbed with Geoff and Nathan. Excellent day. A little soft and melting snow up higher, but didn't cause problems. What a great peak. Did not traverse to Jefferson this time.
JLuthanen - Jul 22, 2012 3:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2012
OvernighterMet up late with a buddy at the TH around 11:30, with plans to stay overnight at the lake. Hiked in with a full ruck (blew my wad a bit til dropping off most camping gear at Hollowtop Lake). Summit via the draw to the saddle by 5:30, Jefferson by 6:30, back to camp by 8pm. Between being sick, hiking in the heat of the day, and getting turned around bushwhacking multiple times, probably extended the trip longer than necessary. Fly fishing those alpine lakes was gorgeous and worth the effort. *Recommend going left of Hollowtop Lake and following the slightly more worn in trail before bushwhacking the rest. Much rock hopping. Also recommend staying to the far left of the draw on the way to the saddle - a lot more grass and less ankle / leg breaker rocks
MTfred19 - Mar 5, 2011 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2010
HollowtopSouthwest ridge from Hollowtop Lake. Awesome introduction to the Tobacco Roots!
nickL - Jul 13, 2010 1:31 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2010
HollowtopFun afternoon hike. Went up the ramp NE of the peak, about 2 and a half hours car to summit. Crazy windy on top but otherwise really good weather. The road was really washed out and pretty hairy in a few sections, but managed to get the explorer all the way up to where it narrows down to just 4 wheelers.
wyomtman - Dec 7, 2009 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2007
HollowtopHiked up the west side, via a gulley that had recently slide, lots of debris. Snowboarded another gulley NW from the summit. Fantastic range with numerous adventure possibilities.