New Trail Opens Hunter, Hiker Access to Crazy Mountains
Thanks to the construction of a new trail, hunters now have access to the west side of Montana’s Crazy Mountains just in time for Montana’s youth hunt and general rifle season.
“We appreciate the good work of crews contracted by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in getting this done,” said Blake Henning, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chief conservation officer. “Outdoorsmen and women will now be able to hunt elk and deer in an area that was previously extremely difficult to get to.”
The 2.7-mile Porcupine Ibex Trail provides long-term public access to the Crazies. Located north of Livingston, it connects the Porcupine Cabin Trailhead to the North Fork Elk Creek Trail #195. The majority of the work took place on public land with right-of-way easements granted by private landowners.
RMEF collaborated for several years with the Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers Association, USFS, private landowners and other partners who make up the Crazy Mountain Working Group to resolve long-standing, divisive access disputes.
The trail is open to foot, horse, and mountain bicycles. It connects Elk Creek and Trespass Creek drainages as well as providing access to Campfire Lake.
This 2.7-mile trail is the first segment of a planned 12-mile trail to greatly benefit public access for hunters, hikers and others who enjoy the outdoors.
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of nearly 235,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.4 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage.