Climbing Near Anaconda, Montana

The Stooges are a group of large dome-like granite fins positioned on the southern sunny flank of Stucky Ridge in Anaconda, Montana. With half a dozen routes and potential for more development, this crag makes for a full value day of climbing with an alpine like setting of Mt. Haggin and the northern Pintlers. A good spring and fall crag but still climbable in the summer as all the climbs are in the shade until 2 pm. Coming from the east the directions are as follows. Driving on HWY 1 you will turn onto Cable Rd at the west end of town. Driving past a cluster of houses you will turn north onto Leavengood Gulch Rd. this road is poorly marked but is easy to spot with the big log arch and green forest service gate that reads “Keep Gate Closed”. After pulling through and closing the gate you will follow the road as it winds up the hillside past a few homes and after 2 miles you will arrive at the parking lot. Follow the faint 2 track past the gate and up the drainage. It starts to wind uphill after 10 min of walking and will spit you out on a big grassy hillside where you will get your first taste of the Pintlers to your left and the cliffs to your right. Follow the trail west across the meadow until a cairn and a small evergreen will signal you upwards towards the cliffs. More cairns will guide you up the open hillside keeping the tree line on your left and following the faint trail as it meanders towards the toe of the largest formation. Once you arrive at the toe continue up the west side of the cliff through a small aspen grove. Emerging through the trees will give you the first sight of the 4 routes on the upper wall and the first climb you will encounter on the lower formation being “Pork Soda”. All in all the hike takes anywhere from 30 to 45 min depending on fitness. NOTE: This is a new area and a helmet is recommended.

An excellent granite boulder about 20yards off the road. From Philipsburg, head south on Hwy 1 and turn east on Rumsey Road. Travel approx. 10 mins up the road to a right hand turn before Summer Gulch Road. You will cross a bridge over Fred Burr Creek, then the Montana One boulder should be on your left in a small Timbered area. Hurry up and climb on it before they build a house next to it. The map is outdated FYI, there is a road where the pin is marked now.

Scattered glacial erratics outside the small mountain town of Philipsburg. From Philipsburg, head south on Hwy 1 and turn east on Rumsey Road. Travel approx. 10 mins up the road to a right hand turn before Summer Gulch Road. You will cross a bridge over Fred Burr Creek, then the Montana One boulder should be on your left in a small Timbered area. Hurry up and climb on it before they build a house next to it.