Beartooth Mountain Guides

About

Beartooth Mountain Guides is your gateway to immersive mountain adventures in Montana’s rugged backcountry. Whether it’s a hike, an alpine rock climb, or a full expedition to Granite Peak, our passion is sharing the mountain experience with you. Located in Red Lodge, with offices near Cooke City, we operate in the heart of the Beartooth Mountains—remote, wild terrain on the edge of Yellowstone, offering some of the region’s best opportunities for mountaineering, rock & ice climbing, backpacking, and backcountry skiing.

Our programs range from beginner-friendly rock climbs and women-only backpacking trips to advanced winter camps and expedition preparation courses. All guides are highly experienced, and all programs are led under the direction of IFMGA/American Mountain Guide Akio Joy.

We proudly operate with permits from the Custer-Gallatin and Shoshone National Forests, making sure our trips are safe, sustainable, and deeply connected with the land.

Whether you're dreaming of summiting peaks, skiing untouched snow, or discovering alpine ridges, Beartooth Mountain Guides will meet you there.

Contact: +1 406-446-1407 | info@beartoothguides.com | Based in Red Lodge, Montana
Beartooth Mountain Guides has not recommended any gear yet.

Trips

Beginner Women's Backpacking Trip
The Beartooths host Montana's premier backpacking routes, both on and off trail.

Expect wild alpine scenery from glacial valleys to high plateaus. Known for it's pristine lakes, beautiful waterfalls, and towering granite walls, you can expect a memorable hiking trip in the Beartooth Wilderness.

This trip is rated "Beginner", while it does not require previous Backpacking experience it does require a fitness standard. You need to be able to carry 30lbs while hiking 1000 ft over 5 miles.

Itinerary
14 miles, 2400' elevation gain, 2400 ' elevation loss

Day 0: Mandatory gear check at 4 pm in Red Lodge.

Day 1: 8 am, Mystic Lake THD (at 6500ft) to Mystic Lake. 5 miles with 1000 ft of elevation gain. We will hike along the scenic mystic river valley, a drainage of the Beartooth mountains.

​Day 2: Mystic Lake to Pricesse Lake. 2 miles and 1400 ft of elevation gain. The remote alpine lake offers quietness and wildlife seeings. Option to explore and day hike to Avalanche Lake.

​Day 3: Princess Lake to Mystic Lake THD. 7 miles, 500 ft of elevation gain and 1400 ft of elevation loss. Expected return around 3pm.

This trip includes a guide for every 6 participants, breakfasts, dinners and cooking equipment. Please inquire about rental tents, sleeping bag, pads and backpacks. Specific personal equipment such as a water filter and other backpacking equipment is required.
Seasonality
Sep
A Intermediate Women's Backpacking Trip
Explore Montana’s premier backcountry on this guided intermediate women’s backpacking trip through the spectacular Beartooth Wilderness. Known for its pristine alpine lakes, glacial valleys, high plateaus, and granite peaks, the Beartooths offer some of the best off-trail and on-trail hiking in the Northern Rockies.

This four-day route covers 22 miles with 3,571 feet of elevation gain and 4,279 feet of loss. Designed for adventurous women looking to deepen their wilderness skills, this trip does not require prior backpacking experience—but does require strong physical fitness. You must be able to carry a 30-pound pack while hiking 1500 feet over 4 miles.

Itinerary
Sundance Loop Hike - 22.03 miles, 3571' elevation gain, 4279 ' elevation loss

Day 0: Mandatory gear check at 4 pm in Red Lodge.

Day 1: 8 am, West Fork THD (at 7900ft) to Quinnebaugh meadows. 5 miles with 1000 ft of elevation gain. Will hike along the West fork creek of Rock Creek a drainage of the Beartooth mountains. Camp will be at Quinnebaugh meadows. Option to hike up to Lake Mary, one way 2 miles 1000 ft elevation gain.

Day 2: Quinnebough meadows to Shadow Lake or Sundance Lake. 4 miles with 900 ft of elevation gain. We will hike along the West Fork creek and the environment will change from a more high forestry one to a more alpine one.

Day 3: Shadow/ Sundance Lake to September Lake. 5 miles with 1500 ft of elevation gain and 1400 ft of elevation loss. We will hike up Sundance Pass where we will be at the highest point of 1100 ft of elevation and descent to September Lake in the Lake fork of Rock Creek. This environment is still alpine with September Lake being at 9694 ft.

Day 4: September Lake to Lake Fork THD (at 6900 ft). 8 miles 2500 ft of elevation loss. We descend back into the valley along the Lake Fork of Rock Creek. The environment will become more forestry again. We will end the trip around 2pm.

A personal car shuttle from West Fork THD to Lake Fork THD is required. It takes about 60 min to shuttle the cars and in the past participants have shared rides with each other and the guides.

This trip includes a guide for every 6 participants, breakfasts, dinners and cooking equipment. Please inquire about rental tents, sleeping bag, pads and backpacks. Specific personal equipment such as a water filter and other backpacking equipment is required.
Seasonality
Jul
B Intermediate Women's Backpacking Trip
Explore Montana’s premier backcountry on this guided intermediate women’s backpacking trip through the spectacular Beartooth Wilderness. Known for its pristine alpine lakes, glacial valleys, high plateaus, and granite peaks, the Beartooths offer some of the best off-trail and on-trail hiking in the Northern Rockies.

This four-day route covers 22 miles with 3,571 feet of elevation gain and 4,279 feet of loss. Designed for adventurous women looking to deepen their wilderness skills, this trip does not require prior backpacking experience—but does require strong physical fitness. You must be able to carry a 30-pound pack while hiking 1500 feet over 4 miles.

Itinerary
22.03 miles, 3571' elevation gain, 4279 ' elevation loss

Day 0: Mandatory gear check at 4 pm in Red Lodge.

Day 1: 8 am, West Fork THD (at 7900ft) to Quinnebaugh meadows. 5 miles with 1000 ft of elevation gain. Will hike along the West fork creek of Rock Creek a drainage of the Beartooth mountains. Camp will be at Quinnebaugh meadows. Option to hike up to Lake Mary, one way 2 miles 1000 ft elevation gain.

Day 2: Quinnebough meadows to Shadow Lake or Sundance Lake. 4 miles with 900 ft of elevation gain. We will hike along the West Fork creek and the environment will change from a more high forestry one to a more alpine one.

Day 3: Shadow/ Sundance Lake to September Lake. 5 miles with 1500 ft of elevation gain and 1400 ft of elevation loss. We will hike up Sundance Pass where we will be at the highest point of 1100 ft of elevation and descent to September Lake in the Lake fork of Rock Creek. This environment is still alpine with September Lake being at 9694 ft.

Day 4: September Lake to Lake Fork THD (at 6900 ft). 8 miles 2500 ft of elevation loss. We descend back into the valley along the Lake Fork of Rock Creek. The environment will become more forestry again. We will end the trip around 2pm.

A personal car shuttle from West Fork THD to Lake Fork THD is required. It takes about 60 min to shuttle the cars and in the past participants have shared rides with each other and the guides.

This trip includes a guide for every 6 participants, breakfasts, dinners and cooking equipment. Please inquire about rental tents, sleeping bag, pads and backpacks. Specific personal equipment such as a water filter and other backpacking equipment is required.
Seasonality
Aug

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