You’ve looked up at the skyline from Billings and wondered what it would feel like to stand on the highest point in the state. Granite Peak — rising from the wild heart of the Beartooth Mountains — is Montana’s highpoint and a serious alpine objective.

You want to climb Granite Peak and are ready for a pre-trip? Prepare yourself, gain experience and acclimatize in Montana's most rugged and tallest mountain range. These three mountains are a shorter version of what you can expect on Granite Peak and are a great entry to alpinism and mountaineering.

The Beartooth Mountains are the perfect place to bridge the gap between hiking and alpine climbing. With dozens of high peaks, open alpine terrain, and relatively straightforward routes, the range offers ideal objectives for climbers who want to gain experience and confidence before attempting bigger climbs like Granite Peak or Spirit Mountain.

Red Lodge is the perfect training ground for mountain adventures in the Beartooths Mountains. Hop on a trail and gain 3000 ft to the top of the beautiful alpine plateau. Here are four recommended (one way) Beartooth hiking trails, if you're into elevation gain!