How to drive the unpaved road to Cougar Peak in Montana
Cougar Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.041m (6,696ft) above sea level located in Sanders County, in the US state of Montana.
Where is Cougar Peak?
The peak is located in the northwestern part of Montana, within the Lolo National Forest.
Why is there a road to Cougar Peak?
At the summit there’s a lookout, called Cougar Peak Lookout. It was built in 1952 to replace an existing, older structure dating back to the 1930s. Cougar Peak is within grizzly bear habitat. Visitors to the lookout and surrounding area need to be aware of the possibility of encountering a bear.
Is the road to Cougar Peak unpaved?
The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It is called NF-403. It’s a good single-track road. The road gets a little rougher every year, but easily enough managed even in a 2WD vehicle, though you'll want some clearance in a few places. It’s very steep and features 22 hairpin turns.
How long is the road to Cougar Peak?
Starting from Blue Slide Road, the road to the summit is 23.65km (14.7 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1250m (4,104 ft) and the average gradient is 5.28%.
Is the road to Cougar Peak open in winters?
Set high in the Cabinet Mountains, the road is usually open year-round. It is exposed to the extremes of weather. Late spring snow drifts may compromise parts of the road, requiring visitors to hike a short distance.
Pic&more info: https://montucky.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/cougar-peak-lookout/