Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Rattler Gulch

Montana > Northwest Region

Description

This area consists of large grey and blue Limestone fins. The climbing tends to be vertical or lower angle, with lots of the classic limestone pockets, jugs, and heavy on the crimps. Tends to be a bit steeper than it's neighbor Mulkey Gulch. The rock can be extremely solid or total choss depending on which side of a fin you are on, although there is plenty of great rock and good climbs to choose from. This area is a tight canyon so it can get rather cold in the winter, late fall, or early spring. On the other hand, the middle of summer can be extremely hot, but chasing shade can always find something climable. Probably the best conditions are in late spring through early fall.

Camping can be found at Bearmouth RV Park on the frontage road near Exit 138. This RV Park has RV and tent camping and a camping cabin all on the banks of the Clark Fork River. The bathrooms have hot showers, tent sites have water nearby, RV sites have water & electric hookups, there are picnic tables and fire rings, prices are reasonable. A small store and reopening the motel rooms is planned for 2012. Check out the website for more information bearmouthrvpark.com.

There is also camping about 18 miles away at Beavertail Hill State Park just off of I-90 at Exit 130. If you want to extend your stay in the area, drive the Pintler Scenic Route beginning in Drummond and check out Philipsburg and Georgetown Lake. Visit Garnet Ghost Town, about 15 miles from the RV Park. Ride your bike on the frontage road from Bearmouth RV Park to Drummond (32 miles round trip) or make it a 100 mile round trip ride up to Helmville and the Nevada Reservoir. There is great fishing on the Clark Fork River. The closest beer, food, and gas can be found to the east in Drummond, MT, but as Drummond is a small ranching community options are limited. Missoula, which lies 45 miles to the west has a much wider variety of options

Getting There

From Missoula, take I-90 East towards Drummond. After about 35 miles you will come to the Bearmouth exit (#138), take this and go left under the interstate then turn right. Continue down the frontage road on the north side of the river, for about 15-20 miles. You will pass Bear Gulch and Mulkey Gulch before Rattler Gulch. Look out for the signs on the left and right sides of the road. Once you get to Rattler Gulch Rd., take a left and continue on the dirt road for a few miles until you come to the limestone right off the road. The majority of the routes are before the main sign which is before the yellow cattle guard. Look for the pullout on the left side of the road as you approach the area from the south and spot the main, visible buttress (with Orange Peel). This is the closest and nicest area to warm up. Conversely, park up by the area signs where there is a small pullout for the more scattered and obscure climbing if coming from the north.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The road going into Rattler Gulch
[Hide Photo] The road going into Rattler Gulch
An image of the granite "fins" that traverse the area.
[Hide Photo] An image of the granite "fins" that traverse the area.
Driving in
[Hide Photo] Driving in
Beautiful area
[Hide Photo] Beautiful area

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Kurt HR Krueger
Missoula, MT
[Hide Comment] When up at the shredder wall - water the small spruce for future support of the belay platform. If this tree makes it, I will plant a couple of trees over at sidewinder buttress to help hold the belay platforms there.

-Kurt Jul 19, 2017
Kurt HR Krueger
Missoula, MT
[Hide Comment] On Monday 4/20/19 Dave and I will replace the bolts with glue ins on Snake Eyes and Don't put your Hand in it. As we don't know how long this will take us it would be good to say off the climbs on Tuesday. Also, the bolts on "Don't" will be left for now. We might just be removing them over time to study the bolts (and rust) over time. Thamks Apr 20, 2019
Madison Miller
Missoula MT
[Hide Comment] The link below is a podcast from the American Alpine Club about climbing at Rattler. It is a good reminder that climbing helmets save lives! Certainly worth a listen, stay safe out there friends :)

open.spotify.com/episode/1E… Jul 1, 2020
Alec Handhold
Your mom
[Hide Comment] If you keep an eye out, you can find all sorts of fossils at the talus slope between the main parking area and the SIdewinder Buttress. A shallow sea covered the area millions of years ago, and thus you can find all sorts of tiny sea creatures fossilized in the loose limestone. Lots of amateur fossil hunters visit the area, so you're more likely to find something cool the further up the slope you go - such as on the way to the climbs.
Keep an eye on the ground; you're likely to find some cool stuff! Sep 22, 2020
Tom Ponte
Las Vegas, NV (2 yrs) and…
[Hide Comment] Good limestone climbing not far off the freeway. The description talks about developed camping in the area probably to discourage dispersed camping with the usual associated trash etc but it is possible to do that responsibly in the canyon. Aug 22, 2024