Hiking in Paradise Valley
Yellowstone National Park is an amazing natural wonder and is always worth seeing for anyone visiting Montana. However, it can get pretty crowded in spots at this time of year. Luckily, Livingston is completely surrounded by natural beauty and much of the wildlife that you see in the park can be found outside of it as well. So if you are looking to escape the crowds we have a suggestion. Our friends at Timber Trails (right down the street from The Murray Hotel at 309 West Park St) have a series of favorite hikes that they print out and they have been kind enough to share some of them with us. Timber Trails is the place to go in Livingston if you are looking for advice on hiking, biking or cross-country skiing in the area and if you are looking to buy or rent gear.
The hike we are highlighting today takes you right into the heart of Paradise Valley to Emigrant Peak:
Round Trip: 6 Miles
Duration: 6-8 Hours
USGS Maps: Dailey Lake & Emigrant
Trailhead Distance From Livingston: 35 Miles
Emigrant is a distinctive peak that stands well out of the main body of the Absaroka Range, with its summit providing exceptional views not only of the crest of the Absarokas, but of Lone Peak to the west, and the Tetons to the south.
The trailhead is accessed from Livingston via East River Road to Sixmile Creek. Follow the Sixmile Creek Road for 3.7 miles, turning left at the junction with the road to Dailey Lake. After another 1.5 miles, a signed left turn leads up a short stretch of road to the Gold Prize Creek trailhead. Walk past the road closure along the closed road, which leads through a portion of the 1,200 acres that burned int the Sixmile drainage in July, ‘99.
The road becomes a trail at a small campsite and begins to steepen. After approximately 50 yards, turn left at a trail junction and follow the sidehill trail (a short portion of which reverts back to two-track), climbing steeply through sage and scattered stands of pine and fir toward a ridgetop meadow with good views of Paradise Valley below. Continue to follow the obvious ridgeline along a hit-and-miss trail through a combination of boulders, scree and alpine tundra to the summit. Remember to tread lightly and leave no trace.
If you have any questions about this hike or other hikes around Livingston be sure to stop in at Timber Trails or give them a call at 406-222-9550. Be on the lookout for the next Timber Trails hike on our blog and send us photos if you head out to Emigrant Peak yourself. Happy hiking!
