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| Elevation: | 2,904 ft |
| GPS: | 48.793, -115.3 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 30,362 total · 224/month |
| Shared By: | Braxtron on Apr 6, 2007 |
| Admins: | grk10vq |
Access Issue: Seasonal Falcon Closure
Details
Seasonal peregrine falcon closures effective March 1-August 1 each year.
For more information on the closure and to check closure dates and maps visit: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO…
For more information on the closure and to check closure dates and maps visit: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO…
Description [Edit]
Summer (n): In Montana, the time of year when the temperature regularly breaks 25*. This is usually between July 5-9, but may extend out to Labor Day, if it's a good year. Since the Treasure State lies so close to the frozen tundra of Canadia, snow is always in the forecast.
Unfortunately, Stone Hill is about the only place with solid rock in Northwest Montana. You can thank Mother Nature for the freeze-thaw cycle; it's not too easy on MT rock. Fortunately, there are enough routes here to keep you busy and entertained for weeks. I believe ratings range from 5.6 to 5.12 (please correct me if I'm wrong) sport & trad. The setting here is picturesque, as the Highway of Love winds around lake Koocanusa (Kootenai + Canada + USA), which means the lakeview, along with plenty of tree covered mountains, isn't anything to complain about. The approaches may deter some people though. Most hikes from car to crag are unbearably long. Bring plenty of beer, err I mean water, to keep yourself hydrated.
Unfortunately, Stone Hill is about the only place with solid rock in Northwest Montana. You can thank Mother Nature for the freeze-thaw cycle; it's not too easy on MT rock. Fortunately, there are enough routes here to keep you busy and entertained for weeks. I believe ratings range from 5.6 to 5.12 (please correct me if I'm wrong) sport & trad. The setting here is picturesque, as the Highway of Love winds around lake Koocanusa (Kootenai + Canada + USA), which means the lakeview, along with plenty of tree covered mountains, isn't anything to complain about. The approaches may deter some people though. Most hikes from car to crag are unbearably long. Bring plenty of beer, err I mean water, to keep yourself hydrated.
Getting There [Edit]
15 miles SW of Eureka, MT on Highway 37, along the Koocanusa Reservoir. Strange name, but pretty logical if you know your geography.
Classic Climbing Routes at Stone Hill
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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Photos
12 Comments
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Guidebooks (6)
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whitefish mt
Even in Sept/Oct... the warm S & W exposure gave many nice routes when the weather permitted.
I remember even climbing (very infrequently) in late Jan./early Feb - obviously the skiing must have been the shits, for me to search out the very few (warm?)climbs that were possible.
But hey... there are also a few nice ice-seeps that form up then for those who want some ice and mixed climbs
By March... (again, on days when I needed a break from skiing) many climbs started to get in shape... and the wood ticks were waking up... and they were very hungry for returning climbers.
By mid-summer... it was time to start climbing early and late in the day... with long mid-day breaks swimming in the lake and drinking cold beers.
Hey... somebody's gotta do it??? Feb 7, 2008
Estes Park, CO
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Helena, MT
Montana
Kalispell, MT
I would also disagree with the "long approach" comments. There are tons of routes right on the side of the road, and the climbs that are furthest up or down the hill shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to get to. Mar 10, 2015