Moose Creek Trail # 168
Moose Creek Trail #168 appears to "move" the visitor along, so varied are its surroundings. The first 2.5 miles of trail from Access #1 follow Moose Creek at a grade of less than 4 percent. From the creek bottom, the trail switchbacks along a sidehill to a ridgetop. The last portion of the trail follows a ridge to the junction with Sapphire-Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, with a trail grade of 10 percent.
There are excellent views of the Moose Creek drainage. The visitor will encounter 4 creek crossings. The Moose Creek Area has experienced considerable blowdown of trees in the past. The hiker or horseman may encounter trees across the trail. Trail #168 passes through two rockslides.
Tree species are Engelmann spruce and Douglas-fir along the creek bottom and lodgepole pine, whitebark pine, and larch along the ridge. Ground vegetation ranges from grasses, willow, and alder to beargrass and grouse whortleberry.
Wildlife may include moose, elk, mule deer, mountain goat, black bear and grouse. The lower portion of Moose Creek supports rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Type
General Information
Food Storage Required: Food Storage Order Bitterroot National Forest
Camping is limited to 16 consecutive days: Camping Restrictions Regional Order
Practice Leave No Trace principles when visiting forest lands.
Pack it in, Pack it out, no garbage service provided.
Weed Seed Free feed is required on all national forest land.
Campfires allowed, dependent upon seasonal fire restrictions.
Practice good trail etiquette by staying on designated paths, yielding to uphill users, and giving space to others.
Pets must be under control. Leashes are recommended to avoid user and wildlife conflicts. Properly dispose of animal waste bags. Do not put animal waste bags in vault toilets.
Year round, snow dependent.
- Leave No Trace
- No cutting switchbacks
Contact Name: Darby-Sula Ranger Station
Contact Phone: 406-821-3913
Address: 712 N. Main Darby, MT 59829
Phone: 406-821-3913
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Directions
Access #1. Follow the East Fork Road #472 for 15.8 miles to the Martin-Moose Creek fork in the road. Take Moose Creek Road to the east and follow for 3.4 miles to the end of the road and trailhead. Access #2. Via Sapphire-Rock Divide Trail #313 to junction with Moose Creek Trail #168.
