Triple Tree Trail

Length: 4.5 miles (round-trip)
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 800 feet (to the overlook)
Activities: Hiking, trail running, mountain biking
Crowds: Heavy traffic

About
This trail is on the south side of Bozeman, close to town. The trail begins on a grassy spur, crosses Limestone Creek several times, and loops through state land on the northwest slope of Mount Ellis. Triple Tree is a quick and easy local trail with lots of options and accessibility. There's a steep climb to an overlook, offering great views of the Gallatin Valley.

Seasonal Conditions
Triple Tree can get very hot in late summer because it's only partially shaded; however, shade is plentiful in the switchbacks. Watch for mud on the trail around the creek in the spring. If you find it particularly bad, consider saving it for when conditions dry out. Open year-round, the trail is best used from late spring through mid-fall. It's also a popular trail among cross-country skiers in the winter.

Directions
From downtown Bozeman, head west on W. Babcock St., then turn right onto S. Church Ave. and continue straight onto Sourdough Rd. About 3 miles after crossing Kagy Blvd, look for the signed parking lot on the left just after the entrance to Triple Tree subdivision.

Map courtesy of Robert Stone's Day Hikes Around Bozeman, Montana.