Mt. Dean Stone via Barmeyer

Mount Dean Stone is a new addition to Missoula's public spaces, but has long been the tall mountain on the south side of Pattee Canyon, its wooded and radio antenna summit easily in sight from across the city. Hikers and mountain bikers can now reach the summit along maintained trails and retired Forest Service roads, thanks to trail work and stewardship from Five Valley's Land Trust, offering a hearty adventure within city limits and a quick commute from downtown. 

The two closest to downtown and most accessible trailheads are the Sousa Trailhead in a South Hills neighborhood and the Barmeyer Trailhead off Pattee Canyon Drive. The Sousa Trail gains significant elevation in the drive to its trailhead, twisting through a nice neighborhood with a view. The Barmeyer Trail is a bigger climb, but has more variety with two route options to mix it up on this out-and-back hike. The Barmeyer Trail is a fun stand-alone hike with expanding views of the Missoula Valley and Pattee Canyon. 

The Barmeyer Trail begins ascending switchbacks right from the start, setting a consistent tone for the rest of the hike. Just over a half-mile from the trailhead, hikers hit a junction where they can head west on the hiking-only trail or continue east on the multi-use trail. Both routes converge at the top of a small plateau less than half the way up to Mount Dean Stone, where a little side trail leads to a bench overlooking the Missoula Valley. This is also where the less-than-a-mile Sousa Trail converges. It's approximately four miles to do the Barmeyer Loop on its own.  

From the plateau and sitting bench, the Mount Dean Stone Trail continues with another choice between a wooded singletrack trail and a retired Forest Service road, each approximately a mile long. The woodsy route has some of the best views of Pattee Canyon, and the Forest Service road is a bit more tucked in. They both lead to an approximately four-mile singletrack that switchbacks to the top and around the summit of Mount Dean Stone. It switchbacks a lot, but the views of Southern Missoula expand with each change in direction. 

The actual summit of Mount Dean Stone is not open to the public, home to communication towers and other utilities. But a trail circles the summit and connects with the House of Sky Trail, leading to other long trails that access the summit, including Inez Creek Trail and trails deep within Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area. Take the circle trail either way and begin descending back to the trailhead. It's a long and arduous hike, great for anyone training for a big event or adventure, and a new Missoula hike worth checking off the list.