Best Beginner Summits in the Beartooth Mountains: 4 Peaks to Gain Experience Before Granite Peak
- Anju
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
You’ve spent time hiking in the mountains and feel comfortable on steep trails and with long days. Now you’re ready for the next step: leaving the trail behind and climbing a real mountain.
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. If you're looking to learn or improve your mountain skills, visit our rock climbing or alpine climbing page.
These four non-technical Class 2 peaks are some of our favorite stepping-stone objectives. Theses beginner summits involve off-trail navigation, talus travel, and long alpine days — all essential skills for future alpine adventures.
Below are our four recommended peaks, ordered by difficulty and time commitment.
Metcalf Mountain - Southern Approach, Class 2
Stats: 7 miles round trip, 3500 ft elevation gain, 3 miles off trail, max elevation: 11900 ft
Route: Glacier Lake Trail to Glacier Lake to Metcalf Mountain
Metcalf Mountain is one of the best first off-trail summits in the Beartooths. The southern approach offers a relatively straightforward line that gradually transitions from trail hiking into open alpine terrain.
After leaving the trail, hikers navigate broad slopes and big talus toward the summit ridge.
If this is your first time ever climbing a mountain off trail, consider making it a 2 day adventure.
On clear days, the summit offers expansive views across Glacier and Moon Lake basins and deep into the alpine wilderness.
Mount Rearguard - Southern Approach, Class 2
Stats: 8.6 mile round trip, 3600 ft elevation gain, 6 miles off trail, max elevation: 12170 ft
Route: Glacier Lake Trail to Shelf Lake to Mount Rearguard
Mount Rearguard is a fantastic next step after your first off-trail summit. While not technically difficult, it introduces longer navigation sections and more sustained alpine terrain.
Much of the route leaves the trail early and travels through high basins before climbing talus slopes to the summit. The terrain is classic Beartooth alpine: open, rugged, and beautiful.
Silver Run Peak - East Flank, Class 2
Stats: 16 mile round trip, 5000 ft elevation gain, 8 miles off trail, max. elevation: 12400 ft
Route: Timberline Trail to Timberline Lake to Silver Run Peak
Silver Run Peak is where things start to feel like a true alpine expedition.
This is a demanding trip involving remote basins, large talus fields, and a significant amount of off-trail travel. The reward is one of the most dramatic summit views in the Beartooths.
From the top you can see deep into the wilderness surrounding the Absaroka–Beartooth Wilderness, with endless ridges and glacial valleys stretching to the horizon.
Attempt it in either one big day or a 2-day adventure camping at Timberline Lake and enjoying the pristine wilderness.
Whitetail Peak, via Sundance Pass, Class 2 -4
Stats: 26 mile round trip, 5000 ft elevation gain, 4 miles off trail, max elevation: 12400 ft
Route: West Fork Trail to Sundance Pass to Whitetail Peak
Whitetail Peak is a big mountain adventure and the most committing objective on this list.
The route travels deep into the Beartooth backcountry via Sundance Pass, requiring excellent fitness, endurance, and solid mountain judgment. While the terrain remains non-technical, the sheer distance and remote setting make it a serious undertaking.
For hikers preparing for larger alpine objectives, this climb provides the perfect test of stamina and pacing in high alpine terrain. Depending on the route finding you might ender 3rd - 4th class terrain and encounter signifcant exposure.
On the the lakes at the base of Sundance pass offer a great basecamp for summit day.
