Rattler Gulch Rock Climbing

This area consists of large grey and blue Limestone fins. The climbing tends to be vertical or lower angle, with lots of the classic limestone pockets, jugs, and heavy on the crimps. Tends to be a bit steeper than it's neighbor Mulkey Gulch. The rock can be extremely solid or total choss depending on which side of a fin you are on, although there is plenty of great rock and good climbs to choose from. This area is a tight canyon so it can get rather cold in the winter, late fall, or early spring. On the other hand, the middle of summer can be extremely hot, but chasing shade can always find something climable. Probably the best conditions are in late spring through early fall.

Camping can be found at Bearmouth RV Park on the frontage road near Exit 138. This RV Park has RV and tent camping and a camping cabin all on the banks of the Clark Fork River. The bathrooms have hot showers, tent sites have water nearby, RV sites have water & electric hookups, there are picnic tables and fire rings, prices are reasonable. A small store and reopening the motel rooms is planned for 2012. Check out the website for more information bearmouthrvpark.com.

There is also camping about 18 miles away at Beavertail Hill State Park just off of I-90 at Exit 130. If you want to extend your stay in the area, drive the Pintler Scenic Route beginning in Drummond and check out Philipsburg and Georgetown Lake. Visit Garnet Ghost Town, about 15 miles from the RV Park. Ride your bike on the frontage road from Bearmouth RV Park to Drummond (32 miles round trip) or make it a 100 mile round trip ride up to Helmville and the Nevada Reservoir. There is great fishing on the Clark Fork River. The closest beer, food, and gas can be found to the east in Drummond, MT, but as Drummond is a small ranching community options are limited. Missoula, which lies 45 miles to the west has a much wider variety of options