Eastern Idaho + MT/WY

Pintlers Grand Loop

- 58 miles, ~11,000 ft climbing
- Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Beaverhead-Deer Lodge Nat'l Forest, 406-683-3900
- HiLine Trail #111/8111, Continental Divide Trail #9, Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313,  Middle Fork Trail #28
- Trailhead is suitable for passenger cars

"The Anaconda Range, or the Pintlers as they're locally known, run roughly East-West and lie between the Bitterroots and Butte, MT. This pristine wilderness area contains many lakes, challenging passes, and one of the more highly regarded sections of the Continental Divide Trail. Wildfires ravaged the north side of this loop in 2000, but the area is starting to recover. Water is available throughout, and there are many nice lakes for swimming. Route goes over many named passes, with Cutaway and Rainbow being the most dramatic. If you are attempting this in one day, I would recommend going counter-clockwise so you are going through the burn area in the dark where it is not quite as scenic. Be sure to stop at the Moose Lake Picnic Area on the way in or out for a great swim."

Targhee Divide Loop

- 17 miles, 4,100 ft climbing
- Caribou-Targhee Nat'l Forest, Island Park Ranger District, 208-558-7301
- Dry Fork Trail #28, Continental Divide Trail #004, Targhee Creek Trail #27
- Trailhead is suitable for passenger cars if they're not too low

"Targhee Creek Trail and CDT are very clear and well maintained. Dry Fork Trail can occasionally be faint, and I wouldn't call it primitive, but at times you will have to look around a little bit to stay on it. There are nice views on the ascent and descent, and you probably won't see many or any people on Dry Fork, but the CDT section of this loop is spectacular."

Teton Crest Loop

- 36 miles, 6,100 ft climbing
- Caribou-Targhee Nat'l Forest, Jedediah Smith Wilderness, Ashton Ranger District, 208-652-7444
- Bitch Creek Trail #002, Hidden Lake Trail #059, Conant Basin Trail #009, Hominy Peak Trail #014, Jackass Pass, Teton Crest Trail #008, Nord Pass, Bitch Creek Trail
- Trailhead is suitable for passenger cars if they're not too low

"This is NOT the popular section of the Teton Crest Trail. This is north of that section in the Wilderness Area and briefly in Grand Teton Nat'l Park. Because of the short section in the Nat'l Park, I have to say that you can't bring dogs on this route. There are several sections of cross country travel on this loop that may frustrate you, and the Conant Basin Trail is primitive, but just look at all those wildflowers! I went clockwise on this loop, and I didn't see a single person after I passed Hidden Lake."
Historical Article