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Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout
Directions
From Bozeman, MT: Take US Highway 191 west to Four Corners, then south towards
Big Sky/West Yellowstone for approximately 21 miles to the intersection with
Storm Castle Road FS 132 which is on your left (east) and immediately crosses
the Gallatin River on a single span concrete bridge.
There are three options from this point:
1\. Garnet Mountain Trailhead (This non-motorized trail is open to
pedestrians, horseback riders, bicyclists and skiers): Drive 2 miles on Storm
Castle Road FS 132 to the Storm Castle Trailhead. On the south side of the
road take Trail 85. Stay left and avoid the right turn onto the Riverside
Trail. Climb 4 miles on and 2,500 ft. on Trail 85 to the Lookout.
2\. Rat Lake Trailhead. This motorized trail is open to ATVs less than 50"
wide, motorcycles and snowmobiles. Drive 6.8 miles on Storm Castle Road FS 132
to the intersection with FS Road 3112. Take the right fork onto FS Road 3112
and drive about a mile more to the primitive Rat Lake trailhead (the end of
the road). From there travel Trail 416 for 6 miles to Garnet Mountain Lookout.
Follow the signs to Garnet Mountain Trail 416 and avoid the Pioneer Lakes
Trail 79.
**3\. Winter Route January 1 thourgh May 15: Storm Castle Road FS 132 is
closed to all wheeled motorized vehicles 1/2 mile from US Highway 191**.
Parking is available at the Storm Castle winter trailhead 1/2 mile from
Highway 191 just past the Forest Service Helibase. From the winter parking
snowmobiles must follow Option #2 described above. The Lookout is
approximately 12 miles via this route from the winter Trailhead. Skiers and
snowshoers can follow option #1 for about a 6 mile route to the Lookout.
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION: (Please refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Map )
Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout cannot be by accessed and is closed to vehicles
wider than 50 inches.
**January 1 throuh May 15 Storm Castle Road FS 132 is closed to all wheeled
motorized vehicles**
**Cabin renters must park at the Storm Castle winter trailhead 1/2 mile from
Highway 191 between January 1 through May 15.**
This is a groomed multi-use winter trail. Please obey traffic rules. Ride on
the right side of the trail and ride with caution. Snowmobiles and bicycles
must purchase a winter trail grooming pass to travel on groomed snowmobile
routes. Contact Montana, Fish Wildlife and Parks for details.
ALL WINTER USERS: Please read the Gallatin National Forest avalanche advisory:
www.mtavalanche.com , or call (406) 587-6981.
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