This was our first overnight XC ski trip and it was absolutely amazing! The road up to the trailhead was plowed and easier to navigate. We parked and started our trip there. It took us about 4 hours to make it up the 4.4 miles to the tower and we are not used to XC skis. We pulled two backpacks on a sled and it wasn't too bad. There was plenty of firewood and the tower was so freaking awesome. The shutters were easy to take off and put back on and the view without them was WAY better! We took propane for the Coleman stove provided but ended up using it for the propane heater which helped things get warmer before bed. The wood stove is great and gets things warmed up once it is really cooking. We melted snow for water. It was about 10-20 degrees outside the whole time. You won't get it up to 70 degrees inside but 50-60 degrees on top of a bald in Montana in the middle of winter is pretty great! We took battery operated lights and string lights which was good because the ones there had dead batteries. Since we are experienced backpackers and alpine skiers rather than XC, we decided to put the packs on our backs on the way down (rather than in the sled) and we found that to be much easier going. Our only regret is we didn't stay longer:)

This was our first overnight XC ski trip and it was absolutely amazing! The road up to the trailhead was plowed and easier to navigate. We parked and started our trip there. It took us about 4 hours to make it up the 4.4 miles to the tower and we are not used to XC skis. We pulled two backpacks on a sled and it wasn't too bad. There was plenty of firewood and the tower was so freaking awesome. The shutters were easy to take off and put back on and the view without them was WAY better! We took propane for the Coleman stove provided but ended up using it for the propane heater which helped things get warmer before bed. The wood stove is great and gets things warmed up once it is really cooking. We melted snow for water. It was about 10-20 degrees outside the whole time. You won't get it up to 70 degrees inside but 50-60 degrees on top of a bald in Montana in the middle of winter is pretty great! We took battery operated lights and string lights which was good because the ones there had dead batteries. Since we are experienced backpackers and alpine skiers rather than XC, we decided to put the packs on our backs on the way down (rather than in the sled) and we found that to be much easier going. Our only regret is we didn't stay longer:)

I never made it to the lookout. Google maps took me on the back road to the lookout (Gould Creek Road) and the road was so steep and overgrown that it scratched up my husband's new truck and I had to turn around. Don't take Gould Creek Road! Later on, I found out there was a preferred route - Stemple Pass Trailhead. I called the Ranger station beforehand and asked if there was any insights or suggestions, and they didn't say a preferred or alternative route, so I assumed that Google maps was accurate. The confirmation email stated that it was steep which is why I brought my husband's truck instead of my sedan. I'm an untested rough road driver, between my lack of experience and the awful road, I ended up in a repair shop instead of the Granite Peak Lookout.

I never made it to the lookout. Google maps took me on the back road to the lookout (Gould Creek Road) and the road was so steep and overgrown that it scratched up my husband's new truck and I had to turn around. Don't take Gould Creek Road! Later on, I found out there was a preferred route - Stemple Pass Trailhead. I called the Ranger station beforehand and asked if there was any insights or suggestions, and they didn't say a preferred or alternative route, so I assumed that Google maps was accurate. The confirmation email stated that it was steep which is why I brought my husband's truck instead of my sedan. I'm an untested rough road driver, between my lack of experience and the awful road, I ended up in a repair shop instead of the Granite Peak Lookout.

This is a great service at a reasonable price from the USFS. You can’t beat the views and would be hard pressed to find a more remote location.

This is a great service at a reasonable price from the USFS. You can’t beat the views and would be hard pressed to find a more remote location.

February 16-19: I skied up with a pack, took me 7 hours but I was going slow and taking breaks, plodding through 6" of fresh snow. While I was up there, a wind storm took most of the snow off of the top of the butte. When the wind is blowing the wood stove gets all of the heat drawn out of it, so be prepared for cold. Can't beat the quiet on a still day, or the colors of the sky at dawn and dusk.

February 16-19: I skied up with a pack, took me 7 hours but I was going slow and taking breaks, plodding through 6" of fresh snow. While I was up there, a wind storm took most of the snow off of the top of the butte. When the wind is blowing the wood stove gets all of the heat drawn out of it, so be prepared for cold. Can't beat the quiet on a still day, or the colors of the sky at dawn and dusk.

One of a kind adventure!

One of a kind adventure!