Lonesome Highway — Centennial Road to Flint Creek Valley via the Anaconda Range Bench
Big sky bench. Old copper country. No company.
This stretch of backcountry Montana starts where the pavement quits outside Anaconda and heads south and east across the broad, treeless shoulders of the Anaconda Range. The route follows a network of Forest Service and BLM roads — primarily Forest Road 170 corridor — across open ridgelines above 7,000 feet with big views into the Pintler Wilderness to the south and the Flint Creek Range to the northeast. Georgetown Lake sits below the eastern approach, a landmark that tells you the descent into Flint Creek Valley is close. Historically this country was scraped hard by copper mining and smelter operations out of Anaconda — the landscape still carries the scars and ghost towns like Maxville dot the valley floor below. The road surface is maintained gravel transitioning to two-track on the higher bench sections, with ruts that deepen significantly after spring runoff.
A stock 4WD with decent ground clearance handles the main corridor comfortably; the bench spurs require high-clearance with all-terrain tires. Best window is late June through September — the bench sits at elevation and holds snow deep into spring. No permit required. Fuel in Anaconda or Philipsburg. Water from Georgetown Lake drainage but treat everything. Dispersed camping is wide open through Deer Lodge National Forest. Expect zero cell service across the bench; Philipsburg might get you a bar or two on the valley descent.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7400 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Anaconda, MT |
| Land manager | Deer Lodge National Forest, Pintler Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without any mods?
Yes — stock 4WD with decent clearance (8+ inches) is the stated minimum and should get you through without issue under normal conditions. Soft or wet ground after rain can add challenge, so all-terrain tires are a real advantage over street rubber on 42 miles of dirt and gravel bench road.
When does the Anaconda Range bench road typically open in spring, and is it passable in early June?
Best season is June through September, but early June is hit or miss — snowmelt at elevation (max 7,400 ft) can leave sections soft or still snow-covered. Check with the Pintler Ranger District before heading out in June; late June is a safer bet most years.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit required. The route runs through Deer Lodge National Forest managed by the Pintler Ranger District, and dispersed camping is allowed under standard USFS rules — 14-day stay limit, pack it in, pack it out, camp 200 feet from water and roads.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually be prepared for?
The bench traverse itself is moderate, but remote exposure is the real factor — 42 miles with no services, no cell service, and 2,600 feet of cumulative gain means a mechanical problem becomes a serious situation fast. Carry a full-size spare, basic recovery gear, and don't count on anyone else coming through to bail you out.
Are there reliable water sources on the route, or do I need to carry everything in?
There are water crossings along the route, but treat everything — this is grazing and historic mining country and surface water can carry contaminants. Carry enough drinking water for your full run and use a quality filter if you're tapping any streams; don't assume anything is clean.
Trail track
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