Stuart Peak

The crown jewel of day hiking in Missoula, Stuart Peak towers behind Missoula begging to be explored. It lies deep within the Rattlesnake Mountains, offering excellent views of the Mission, Swan, Bitteroot, Saphire, and Garnett ranges. From the summit you can view pristine lakes as well as all of Missoula. Bikers can ride up to the Rattlesnake Wilderness boundary, but after that you have to leave the bike and hike the rest of the way.

In the summer, wildflowers and huckleberries dot the trail. In the fall, the mountain is covered in reds and golds as the shrubs and larch prepare for the winter ahead. Keep your eyes open for wildlife because this area is prone to black bears, elk, deer, turkeys, and the occasional moose. The trail itself is only steep in a couple sections, and the rest climbs gradually to the summit.