Gallatin Canyon  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  5,000' Lat, Long:  46.7097, -109.9731 Map Page Views:  109,283. Good page? (4 likes)    Administrators:  grk10vq, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Nick Stayner on Apr 6, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: The east side of Gallatin Canyon from the top of G...

Description 

I first spied the crags of Gallatin Canyon in spring of '02. I was driving up from Jackson, WY with my dad, planning on touring Montana State. After passing through the stretch with the climbing, I didn't even need to see the school- my decision was made! Not really, but I was pretty psyched.

Gallatin Canyon has two distinct areas. Driving S. from Bozeman, you'll first spot the limestone buttresses. There's great sport here (including a south facing winter area called Scorched Earth), as well as some mixed routes.

A couple more miles to the south, you'll spot the main, high-quality gneiss area. On your right, somewhat hidden, sits the Gallatin Tower, with tons of classic routes. The left side is where the majority of the climbing is. This area, with few exceptions, is trad. While you may have to wait in line for a classic route on a weekend in peak season, 9 times out of 10, you won't. High quality lines are everywhere.

Pay campgrounds are located in the canyon a couple miles south of the climbing. For free camping, throw down a tent on a number of USFS roads that exit the canyon (Squaw Creek, Portal Creek, etc...).

Getting There 

From Bozeman, head west for a few minutes to reach US 191. Head south on 191 for 20 or so minutes and you're there. For the Gallatin Tower and the Cube, park in the prominent pullout on the right. For all other areas, continue for another minute or two and cross a bridge. Immediately afterwards, park in a large dirt area next to the river.

The Classics

Featured Route For Gallatin Canyon

Lava Lunge V3  MT : Gallatin Canyon : ... : Lava Pit

Starting on two incut crimps in the horizontal rail in the middle of the upper boulder. Dyno straight up to the lip and mantle over. A very fun one move problem that may be a little intimidating at first. Walk off the back right side of the boulder from the mantle....[more]   Browse More Classics in MT

Photos of Gallatin Canyon Slideshow

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Storm coming into the canyon view from the Tower	Tick season in Gallatin Canyon- Ben Elias on Spare...	The Throwback, high in the Gallatins...
Ashes of Stone	Evening light on the east side	Skyline Buttress