Foolhen Ridge Trail - Wise River

Length: 2.0 miles

Use: Moderate

Difficulty: Low

Trail Begins: Bryant Creek Road.

Trail Ends: Trail 8

At the trailhead is a stock unloading ramp and hitch rails. The parking area is large. Bryant Creek Road 1213 is a long road with few turn outs and is steep and narrow on the last three miles. Single vehicles will not have problems on this road. However trucks pulling trailers are not recommended for traveling the last three miles due to steeper grades.

The trail is somewhat hard to see; it heads out from the south side of the parking area on the top of a steep bank and is not well signed. Trial signs seem to disappear pretty regular on this trail. However once one finds it, the trail is clear and easy to follow. It is regularly maintained and is in good condition. Two miles up the trail there is a large stock camp next to the west fork of Alder Creek for stock users. During the fall an outfitter uses this area for his base camp.

Also the trail provides access to the Foolhen Cabin, a rustic Forest Service cabin with a wood-burning barrel stove and bunk beds. The cabin is available for rent to the public during the summer and winter (check with Ranger Station for reservations.) Foolhen Cabin was constructed in 1932 as a backcountry cabin for use by trail, range, and fire crews.

Trail follows Foolhen Ridge 3 miles to Foolhen Mountain and junctions with the Pioneer Loop National Recreation Trail 750. Grades are gentle to moderate with a few steep pitches. A few scenic vistas along trail although most of it is in timber.

Area Map: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Visitors Map

USGS Map1: Foolhen Mountain

Township 1S; Range 13W; Section 1