Miller Peak at 7,018 ft.

Terrain Distance (approx): 37.78 miles (rt)
Climbing Distance: 5,427 feet
Highest Altitude: 7,018 feet
Trip Time: 5.5 hours

This ride is of my own invention. It starts on Miller Creek Road just before it drops from the South Hills into Miller Creek Valley. It starts out on pavement but soon turns to gravel. The gravel road goes up the Miller Creek drainage and the scenery is spectacular. Fields of green teeming with elk and deer.

Once you reach the main trail head to start climbing you should be warmed up. This should be approximately around the 10.4 mile mark. At around 11 miles the climb begins in earnest. From that point to the top it took me 1.5 hours, the longest sustained climb I have ever done. Most of the entire climb is in the open. On a hot day this would be grueling. I had a slight breeze that was cool.

The best thing to do on this adventure is to stick to the most worn trail. I had to refer to the map often as most topos don"t show all the trail possibilities. The possibilities for other adventures are huge here.

I have numerous other trips planned already. I feel there is a way to ride from Pattee Canyon to Miller Creek. But that trip is for another time.

As you approach the submit you"ll encounter a gate. I went beyond as I figured it was meant to keep out heavy jeep traffic as there are cellular towers on this peak. As you pass the gate notice all the fosses in the rocks. My friend Charlie would have a hay day here.

From there we all know where to go ... up. First take a right to the actual submit and find the marker at the end of the road to the left. A great view to the north can be had down the road a bit at the first set of towers where there is a rock outcropping just on the other side of the trees. keep your eye out up here as I ran into a large heard of elk hanging out in the sun.

Before taking on the extremely fast and awesome downhill check out the road that would of went to the left. it goes to Mount Nancy just a few hundred yards to the west. From there climb the rock top to a view of the Bitterroots. I give this ride four stars. It would be five stars if you start at the bottom of the jeep trail as you leave Miller Creek Road. The ride back into town from here is boring.