Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 10 miles
Closest Town: Butte, MT
Directions: Directions from Butte: MT: Take I-90 E for 4 miles before taking exit 228 toward Continental Drive. Turn right onto Mt Highland Drive and immediately take a left at the first cross street onto Continental Drive. Continue for 4 miles and take a left onto MT-2 E. Drive for 4.6 miles before reaching the CDT at Pipestone Pass. The parking area, with enough space for horse trailer parking, will be on the right. To reach Limekiln Hill you will head south on the CDT.
Maps:
USGS 7.5 quadrangle: Pipestone Pass; USFS: Beaverhead-Dearlodge National Forest, Butte; CDTC Map Set: Map 357, Section MT17.
For More Information:
Backyard Montana website: backyardmontana.com; Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Butte Ranger District: (406)-494- 2147.
The CDT going south from Pipestone Pass has a fairly gradual ascent the whole way until the last part, which is quite steep. The trail passes through pine forests with several views of Butte and the Highlands. Stop to observe Butte at the first viewpoint, and you’ll find an old mining hole with quartz around it. After this first view, there is another viewpoint in approximately 0.5 miles where you can see the Highlands. You will then continue for another 2.75 miles or so through varying pine forests on the CDT. Eventually, the trail intersects with an old road. You can follow the CDT as it winds through the forest, or take the road that leads south with amazing views of the surrounding mountain ranges – the Tobacco Root Mountains, Anaconda Range, Flint Range, Highlands – and Butte.
Photo by Valerie Manne
