July 4th Granite Peak Attempt

Granite Peak, 12799 ft, the highest peak in Montana. Some say the hardest of all the states high points to climb short of Alaska. The trail head is only 2 hours from my home and it felt like a good time to give it a try.


Our starting point was East Rosebud / Phantom Lake trail.

East Rosebud Lake

Slough Lake

Campsite day 1

Approaching  10140 ft Saddle

After climbing nearly 4000 feet to the saddle, we enter the area known as Froze to Death Plateau.

Inviting Welcome Sign

Start of trek across FTD Plateau 

Getting closer, first look of Granite Peak

About 5 miles of trail-less, rocky terrain 

12000ft High Camp

Home Sweet Home

Plush Surroundings

Granite Peak

Hanging Out with the Locals

View Looking North West

After dinner hike to top of  12478ft Tempest Mountain

July 4th, Summit Day

Early start, 4am wake up call

Full moon over Granite 

Sunrise on the Beartooths

Last Look

Unfortunately this was all the further we got.  I felt fine on the approach in and on the Tempest Peak hike the night before, but summit day I developed a slight nagging pain in one of my knees and we decided to abort the climb. I had no issues hiking out that day but the terrain was way less steep.  Still, a great place to spend the 4th of July and when the time is right we will be going back to finish the climb.

Ken