7,270 foot Petty Mountain

Terrain Distance (approx): 14 miles (rt)
Climbing Distance: 4,318 feet
Highest Altitude: 7,270 feet
Trip Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: strenuous

Petty Mountain is a high point in the Grave Creek Range just West of Missoula. The trail head is off the Petty Creek Road. Pay attention to the left bank as you drive in because I missed the trail head and had a hard time finding it. During the search for the trail head I did run into some Big Horn Sheep.

Once on the trail it climbs. Right from the get go it climbs. There are literally dozens of switchbacks as you climb totally exposed on some huge grassy mountains with lavender flowers in the high parts.

Climb and climb it will take a while. The trail seems to come to the top of the ridge but it is not so keep to the trail and head into the thick woods to head south to the ridge line across the gulch of Petty Mountain.

It is here that i ran into a bear. He was rummaging through some bushes when he finally saw me. I had been trying to get his attention for quite some time. He stared me down for a while as I started to slowly step backwards. He finally just took off up the trail.

From there on I banged sticks to keep from running into another bear. It was dark and thick, kind of scarry. Finally though you reach and climb the ridge leading up to the main ridge with the pack trail that follows it on its grassy top.

Once at the junction go right and follow this pack trail to the summit of Petty Mountain. The trail becomes exposed again as you walk the high meadows to the summit. This part of the trip is worth the big climb down below. Enjoy the views of all the ranges around, Missions and the Bitterroots.

I give this hike 3 stars! ... It is a long interesting climb but the rewards are not too exciting.