The Beaten Path Trail is a 28.6 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Roscoe, Montana that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from July until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
backpacking
camping
fishing
fly fishing
hiking
nature trips
walking
horseback riding
forest
lake
river
views
waterfall
wild flowers
wildlife
bugs
muddy
Twenty-five miles of spectacular backpacking in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness of Montana, USA. "The Beaten Path" is a 25 mile trail traversing some of the most spectacular country within the 944,000 acre Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Lakes and streams appear around just about every corner enticing both those appreciative of a spectacular Wilderness view or one with a penchant for hooking a trout upon the end of their fly-line. The trail itself is aptly-titled "The Beaten Path" for it is literally a well-worn treadway stretching from Cooke City in the South to East Rosebud in the North. Signage is ample and the route is easy-to-follow during the summer season (July - early September). For the more adventurous, ample opportunities to leave the trail and find true Wilderness lie up every draw you see. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is part of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and spans 944,000 acres of Montana and Wyoming. The two access points to "The Beaten Path" are at East Rosebud Trailhead (about 15 miles from Roscoe, Montana) and the Clark Fork Trailhead (a couple miles East of Cooke City, Montana). You'll find primitive car camping options at both ends of the trail so arriving in the evening and car camping before an early departure into the backcountry is an option. The trail rises in elevation to a high point and then descends so hiking North from Cooke City or South from Ease Rosebud are both options. Viewing the elevation profile will provide you a better understanding and will help you decide which direction is best for you. The trail is approximately 25 miles long and passes through a number of ecosystems. Although it has been hiked in a single day many times the beauty of the scenery and possibility for off-trail exploration may cause you to opt to spend a few days along the path. Consider shorter days and spend the extra time fishing or bagging a peak.
Simply an amazing hike! We started from the Cooke City side and seriously appreciated the downhill to East Rosebud. Spent a few extra days and took our time. 4 days, 3 nights. Tossed the tent down at Ozul, Lake at the Falls and Elk Lake. Ozul was amazing, lots of places to camp on the west die of the trail. The hike up past Emil Lake and Fossil Lake was incredible. Lake at the Falls was a fluke. We weren't planning on staying there, but it's where we ran out of steam. Hard to find a place near the lake, but still amazing. The hike from Lake at the Falls to Elk Lake is great too. Keep your eyes open for raspberries!
Pay attention to the weather, got caught in a few thunderstorms the first day. Be prepared...the skeeters were big enough to carry you off. Lots of bug spray!
Simply outstanding. Waterfalls, mountains, lakes and fishing. Who could ask for more. An iconic hike that should be on your bucket list!
Hi Mark,
Myself and a few buddies are headed there in two weeks. It will be our first time on this trail, any suggestions for which lakes were best for camp sights? The fewest people, best fishing, etc?
Also, did you do any side hikes off of the main trail? Any info would be awesome! Thanks!!!
Awesome trail. Had a billy goat spend some time in our camp on the hill at Fossil Lake (great fishing). we started at Clarks Fork trailhead which made the hike easier and very enjoyable as it was pretty much all down hill from Fossil Lake to East Rosebud trailhead. We spent 2 nights at Rainbow lake and thw name did not let us down with tasty trout. Dewey Lake is gorgeous and worth staying at but it was too close to Fossil so we did not. No gun is needed as we did not see any bear or grizzlies and park ranger says sightingings are rare so I wouldn't carry the extra weight. Nights probably got in the 40s and I did not bring any thermal underwear so my 0F down sleeping bag was just right for keeping me warm. we started the trip in pouring rain and hail so good rain gear and boots are critical. What an awesome trip and would definitely recommend it to anyone!
Excellent trip. I'd recommend going from the Clarks Fork Trailhead to East Rosebud instead of the other direction. As I was walking from Twin Outlets Lake to to East Rosebud I was so thankful I chose to hike that direction due to all of the switchbacks. The hike up from Clarks Fork to Fossil isn't near as bad as East Rosebud to Fossil. I stayed for three nights at 1) Russell Lake 2) Twin Outlets and 3) Rainbow Lake. **BRING FACE NETS FOR MOSQUITOS**
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There is still lots of snow but with caution could walk on top and trek poles helped a bunch. Was not that bad though. I actually loved the snow because it made the views even better. Views are amazing and around every corner. My only complaint was at this time of year the mosquitos were bad the whole way. But if you have lots of deet spray they are tolerable. Was warm too never needed layers and hiked in shorts the whole time. Early in the morning a lite jacket helped till about 8am. Hiked from east rosebud to cook city in 3 days but 4 days or longer would have been better.
there is a lot of snow on top couldn't safely make it over the top had to turn around mosquitoes were terrible we are going to try again in August
Not a review, rather a trail report. Spoke to FS office in Red Lodge yesterday & there is heavy snow between Dewey & Russell Lakes requiring extensive post-holing. Snowshoes recommended. Not considered passable at this time for a through hike. Might be ready for a through trip late July or early August. Call the FS Office for current trail report before attempting this as a shuttle hike. If you do hike part or all of it, please provide a current trails report. Thank you!
In love with this trail! It's absolutely beautiful!
Does anyone have any information on whether the trail is open all the way across the summit? Wondering if snow is an issue. Thanks! Planning on going July 17th.
Hiked this trail in early August. Started the trail by Cook City and ended at East Rosebud. If starting at Cook City do not let the map at the trailhead confuse you!!! The map looks as though the parking lot trailhead doesn't connect to the Beaten Path, but it does!!
Did the hike in 2.5 days, 2 nights. Started late in the afternoon on day one, just hiked a few miles in before setting up camp. Next day, set up camp at the peak of the trail, Fossil Lakes, and woke to the most beautiful sunrise I've seen. The final day, was all downhill to Rosebud, and our knees were not happy for it. I would not recommend doing this trail in such a short amount of time unless you are physically fit and trying to push your limits. I would however, recommend this trail to anyone looking for a truly stunning journey through Montana's back country.
The Trail was great, saw some beautiful views! We started the trail by Cook City and ended up at at East Rosebud Lake. This is a difficult trail, so make sure you prepare and get in shape. Also the bugs were really bad when we stayed at Dewey Lake. Totally worth the sore muscles!!
This hike is by far my favorite. I do not recommend it if you are not used to hiking as it is a rough hike. This review is for when I went (which was not recently) and I still think about how amazing it was. Ive lived in Montana all my life and hiked a lot of trails and This is my number 1. Went went over labor day weekend for 5 days and did the whole thing. But that time of the yesr made it really cold at night especially when you get to the highest points. We also got stuck in a lot of rain. I recommend not going during that time. Be sure you have good gear and good shoes. Even my poor pups paws were raw by then end, if only they kept their paw protector boots on!
Such a beautiful hike. Did two nights and only went as far as rainbow lake. First day, started in the evening and hiked up to Elk Lake where we had dinner and camped for the night. We kept our tent up the next day and day-tripped to Rainbow lake, another 4 miles give or take, and came back to Elk Lake for night two. This hike is UNREAL, you feel like you're in a different world. East Rosebud -> Elk Lake is not too physically straining, but Elk Lake -> Rainbow is a little more difficult but well, well worth it.
We came in the early summer and there were many temporary streams to cross -- be sure to have some water proof shoes if you go right after snowmelt.