Big Creek/McCalla Ridge Rock Climbing

Out of Missoula, take highway 93 south past Stevensville. You'll be looking for a right turn on St. Mary's Peak Road, which comes up after you've crossed over McCalla Creek. Take St. Mary's for 2.1 miles, then turn right. There's a Forest Service hiking sign on this road, but currently no other marking. Drive about 3/4 of a mile to a fork, and go left. This is FS road #1319 and used to be marked as McCalla Creek/Ridge road. Take this for just over four miles, bearing left. The traditional approach comes right before you switchback right (again) and have your second view up the Big Creek canyon. Look left for a faint trail that heads slightly uphill and walk 5-10 minutes. You'll then encounter a steep, loose trail down to the crags. A second approach starts a couple of turns below, where the road turns sharply right and there's a pullout area often used as a shooting range. A small dirt track starts uphill from this area and you should head west into the woods just as the dirt tracks starts to climb. This approach is easier, with less scree scrambling.