4.3 miles, +1,135 ft, -297 ft; Mostly on ATV Trail
Driving Directions from Lennep, MT
Go west no FS-581. Follow FS-581 for 10.0 miles to the junction with J8884. Note that you will pass through the historic 1880’s lead and silver mining camp of Castle, where Calamity Jane once ran a restaurant. The junction with J8884 will be a sharp left (west) at the crest of a ridge, after passing the junction with J15994 at Hamilton Creek. Follow J8884 for 2.2 miles west, keeping to the uphill track at trail junctions and park in the large meadow near the junction with TR-718 ATV trail and J8886.
Hiking Directions
Hike along TR-718 about 4.2 miles to the ATV parking area just below the summit cone. There are 4 trail junctions along the route, all of which leave TR-718 to the right. Be sure to continue past the sign near Wapiti Peak that reads “Elk Peak #1 1-Wapiti” – The Elk Peak summit is 1.2 miles further! There is a sign at the end of the TR-718 that reads “Elk Peak #2 – Elk Peak” near where the off-trail scramble begins in the ATV parking area. Scramble directly up the talus and boulder slope between the two rock outcrops to the summit. There is limited space on the rocky summit, much of which is consumed by a USFS repeater. I was, however, still able to deploy a 40-meter dipole. The summit views are super excellent, particularly to the east, south, and west. Note that TR-718 is open to ATVS (50” or less) and motorcycles.
Road Conditions
FS-581 is suitable for a Subaru or similar vehicle but can be seasonally muddy in spots. It may be possible to climb J8884 in a Subaru, but a 4wd with clearance and low-range is preferable as there are some steep sections with a somewhat scrabbly tread. There are also several low spots that pond water. There were no difficulties with a stock 2017 4Runner.
