Welcome to the Stemple Pass XC Ski Trails! Visitors are cautioned that the trails are not groomed and are rated according to Forest Service guidelines for normal snow conditions. When choosing a touring route, skiers should consider snow and weather conditions, the ability level of their party, the time of day, and length of the trail. Listed below are some descriptions of loops that can be done North of the Trailhead. The trails South of the Trailhead, including the route to Granite Butte, are listed inside.

NORTH STEMPLE LOOP (1.8 mi.) – Starting at the Trailhead, this is the shortest loop that can be skied. The loop can be skied in either direction utilizing either the Page Gulch Road or the Continental Divide Trail to Junction A and returning via the other trail. The loop has a minimal elevation gain.

NORTH MEADOW LOOP (3.2 mi.) – Starting at Junction A, the loop will add 3.2 miles to your ski. This loop includes the trails encompassed by Junctions A, B, D, and F. This Loop has a moderate elevation gain.

DIVIDE LOOP (2.5 mi.) – Starting at Junction A, the loop will add 2.5 miles to your ski. This loop includes the trails encompassed by Junctions A, B, D, E, and C. This loop has some steep areas between B and D and between E and C. It has a moderate elevation gain.

CONTINENTAL LOOP (3.25 mi.) – Starting at Junction A, the loop will add 3.25 miles to your ski. This loop includes the trails encompassed by Junctions A, C, G, E, D, and B. The loop has a moderate elevation gain and some steep grades between junction D and B.

CROSSOVER LOOP (0.8 mi.) – This 0.8 mile trail is the section between Junction G and Junction F. Not long in itself, the trail connects the Continental Loop to the Divide Loop, making the longest possible loop on the North Stemple ski system.

SOUTH STEMPLE LOOP (5.75 mi.) – This loop starts to the South of the Granite Butte Trailhead. It includes the sections of the Continental Divide Trail and the Marsh Creek Road to Juction H. The Marsh Creek Road has a moderate grade and elevation gain, but skiers are cautioned for fre-quent windy, exposed conditions. The Continental Divide portion of the loop has some steep sections near the Trail-head, and near Junction H. It may also not be able to be skied completely as it tends to become scoured free of snow at certain time in the winter. GRANITE BUTTE LOOP (2.5 mi.) - This loop adds an additional 2.5 miles to the South Stemple Loop from Junc-tion H. It includes a section of the Continental Divide Trail and the road to Granite Butte. This section of the Continen-tal Divide Trail has some steep, tight turns, and the Granite Butte Road has some steep sections and can have severe winds in the exposed section going to the lookout. GRANITE BUTTE VIA MARSH CR. ROAD (4.4 mi. one way) – For visitors to Granite Butte, this is the route with the most gentle grade to ski in to the lookout. Skiers are cautioned that this trail frequently has severe winds and blowing snow that can cause large drifts and adverse condi-tions.

For questions or comments related to the

Stemple Pass ski trails please contact the Lin-

coln Ranger District at (406) 362-7011.

STEMPLE PASS

CROSS-COUNTRY

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