SNOWMOBILING IN HAMILTON/SKALKAHO


Image Courtesy Of Travel Montana

Location & Getting Here:

Access to the Skalkaho snowmobile area is 2 miles south of Hamilton, then 15 miles east on Skalkaho Hwy 38. Hamilton is 50 miles south of Missoula on US Hwy 93 in southwest Montana. Nearest airport is located in Missoula.
One of Montana's least-traveled snowmobile areas is one of the most scenic. In summer, the Skalkaho Highway from Hamilton to the Georgetown Lake area is a scenic alternative to I-90. In winter, it is the kind of trail that snowmobilers dream about. Closed to automobile traffic, it allows privileged views of frozen Skalkaho Falls, tall peaks and deep canyons.
 
  TRAILS:
Skalkaho Pass Area offers 26 miles of groomed trails. From there, open areas and ungroomed trails offer a wide variety of terrain for all skill levels. The Skalkaho-Sleeping Child-Rye Creek Area has 32 miles of groomed trails, looping through higher elevations, through a burned area and back to the head of Rye Creek. The loop can also be entered from Rye Creek, south of Darby.
 
  MILES GROOMED:
 58 Miles
 
  ELEVATION:
 Hamilton, 3,572'; Skalkaho Pass, 7,260'; trails to 8,000' '
 
  SERVICES:
Snowmobile sales, service and rentals are available in Hamilton. A wide variety of food and lodging is available in Hamilton and throughout the Bitterroot Valley.
 
  CONTACTS:
 · Bitterroot National Forest Office, 1801 N. 1ST St., Hamilton, MT 59840, (406) 363-7100
 · Darby Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest, Box 388, Darby, MT 59829, (406) 821-3913
 · Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce, 105 E. Main St., Hamilton, MT 59840, (406) 363-2400, www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com
 · Bitterroot Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club, Box 265, Hamilton, MT 59840, (406) 360-1509, www.ridgerunners.org