Anaconda Range Continental Divide Trail
Continental Divide copper country technical challenge
The Anaconda Range Continental Divide Trail cuts through Montana’s forgotten copper country, where massive headframes and tailing piles mark one of America’s most toxic mining legacies. This 28-mile route follows old mining roads and Forest Service tracks from Georgetown Lake to Mount Haggin, crossing the Continental Divide twice through terrain that’ll test your rig’s crawling ability. The notorious Cables Creek crossing requires precise wheel placement over basketball-sized granite boulders, while the climb to Storm Lake pushes most vehicles to their limits on loose shale switchbacks.
This is expert-level terrain demanding winch-equipped rigs with skid plates, rock sliders, and aggressive tires. Summer conditions from July through September offer the only realistic access window, but even then expect snow patches above 9,000 feet. No permits required, but fuel up in Anaconda before heading out—cell service disappears after Georgetown Lake. The payoff: pristine alpine lakes, sweeping Continental Divide views, and the haunting remnants of Montana’s copper boom scattered across moonscape terrain that looks like another planet.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9847 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with winch |
| Nearest town | Anaconda, Montana |
| Land manager | Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lightly lifted 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail?
Not reliably. The minimum here is a modified 4WD with a winch — rock terrain along the Divide is unforgiving and recovery anchors are sparse. A stock or mildly lifted rig risks getting stranded 28 miles deep with no cell service.
When does the trail actually open and is snow a real problem?
July through September is the window. At nearly 10,000 feet max elevation, snowpack lingers well into June and early July storms can reclose the high sections fast. Don't push it before mid-July without checking current conditions with Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest directly.
Do I need a permit or are there any fees to run this trail?
No permit required and no fee to drive the trail — it's National Forest land managed by Beaverhead-Deerlodge. Dispersed camping is free; standard Leave No Trace rules apply and you're responsible for knowing current fire restrictions before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The steep rocky climbs near the Continental Divide ridgeline are where rigs get into trouble — loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and exposed ledges with serious consequences for a slip. Plan for slow, deliberate driving and have your winch rigged and ready before you need it, not after.
Is water available on trail or do I need to carry everything for 2-3 days?
There are water crossings on route, so surface water exists, but treat everything — abandoned copper mine country means potential heavy metal contamination upstream. Carry more than you think you need and don't rely on trail water as your primary source.
Trail track
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