Trapper Peak is the kind of mountain that almost feels out of place in its Montana home. To me, it feels like something that belongs somewhere in Switzerland. Jagged, isolated, and dramatic—it lives up to its status as the highest point in the range. The trail that climbs it is no joke either. It’s a little under 8 miles round-trip, with just over 3,000 feet of gain, and it doesn't really let up much along the way. You climb steadily through the forest before popping out above the trees for a final stretch across quite exposed rock and talus to the summit. There are some pretty serious scrambling sections, so it's not recommended for those who aren't comfortable with heights and exposure.
The day I made the trek, conditions were moody in the best (and worst) kind of way. Thick, low-hanging clouds hugged the upper mountain, and once I broke treeline, I was fully socked in. Visibility was poor, everything was damp and slippery, and the air was dead quiet—just me and the fog. It made the whole upper stretch feel surreal and slightly eerie, like I was wandering through the edge of another world. At one point, I actually caught up to some other hikers, and I don't know who was more surprised. Either way, it was startling for both their group and myself because the cover was so heavy that we weren't aware of each other's presence until we were right on top of each other.
By the time, I was at the summit, I was pretty disappointed knowing I wouldn't get to enjoy the views that I had heard such wonderful things about. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed the strange, ethereal feel of hiking the peak in such weather. While I sat hunkered down, out of the wind, taking a break with some water and summit snacks, the other group caught up to me. I figured I may as well ask for a photo....and then, in a twist of luck, as my helpful photographer went to snap the pic, the clouds thinned, and for maybe 30 seconds the sky opened up. I could see the deep ridges and wild peaks of the Bitterroot range stretching endlessly around me. It was quiet, huge, humbling. Then the clouds rolled back in like nothing ever happened. Still one of the most memorable mountain moments I’ve had. I felt pretty lucky that the kind stranger was able to snap a photo with a bit of that visibility. Though it absolutely did not last, it was cool to have captured such a moment. Enjoy the pics - I think my face says it all.
Anyone else have stories of Trapper Peak? Or from anywhere in the Bitterroot Range?