Fairy Lake to Sacagawea Peak

At 9,666 feet, Sacagawea Peak, which is named after the Lemhi Shoshone woman who guided the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is the tallest peak in the Bridgers. The view from the summit sports 360-degree views of the nearby mountain ranges. On a clear day, see the Big Belts to the north, the Crazies to the east, the Gallatin and Madison Range to the south, and the Elkhorn and Tobacco Roots to the west.

The trail by Fairy Lake is the shortest route to reach Sacagawea Peak. Find the trailhead at the southern end of the parking lot. The trail swings into the forest, crossing over a small stream and up rocky switchbacks. You'll gain views of Battle Ridge and the Crazies to the east and the large rocky bowl to the west. Large patches of snow can linger across the trail here, even in July. Switchback your way up to the divide, where a left turn will soon lead you to the steep scramble up to the Sacagawea Peak. Taking a right at the divide leads to Hardscrabble Peak (9,561 feet).

You’ll most likely see a pilgrimage of local skiers heading up to Naya Nuki Peak (9,581 feet) to do "The Great One," a ski line down a couloir that usually has snow year round. If you’re lucky, you may catch site of the mountain goat herd that calls the Bridger Range their home.

Fairy Lake is a gorgeous mountain lake near the base of the trail and a popular destination for families, nearby campers, and hikers looking to unwind after a trip up Sacagawea Peak. A 1.2-mile loop winds around the 20-acre lake, offering Instagram-worthy views of Pomp and Hardscrabble Peaks towering over the lake and surrounding forest.

It cannot be emphasized enough that the road to the Fairy Lake and Sacagawea Trailhead requires careful driving, and if you have it, a high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle. At just over 6 miles, the gravel/dirt road is riddled with potholes, and in late spring and early summer, reams of mud. The road can be narrow and have steep sides in sections. You may only be able to drive 1.4 or 4 miles of the road depending on when the Forest Service opens the two gates on the road. There are trails and administrative roads that you can take from the gate parking to make it to the trailhead.