Pyramid Pass Trail

Pyramid Pass is the Seeley Lake hike that earns its view. From the end of Forest Road 4381, near 5,200 feet, the trail climbs about 1,500 feet to Pyramid Pass at 6,695 feet, right on the boundary of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.² Pyramid Lake, a 10-acre lake inside the wilderness, sits about 0.75 mile beyond the pass.²

Trail details here come from VisitMT and a 2017 Seeley Swan Pathfinder article. Pyramid Pass has had closures (most recently November 26 to December 15, 2025, now expired), so confirm current status with the Seeley Lake Ranger District at 406-677-2233 or on the Lolo National Forest alerts page before you go.³⁹¹¹

How long is the Pyramid Pass trail?

Sources disagree. VisitMT lists 4.0 miles one way to the pass, matching the trailhead sign.¹ The Pathfinder’s 2017 article cites 5.2 miles while noting that the sign says 4.² Plan for somewhere between 8 and 10.4 miles round trip to the pass, and pack for the longer figure.

Add-ons from the pass, per the Pathfinder:²

• Pyramid Lake: about 0.75 mile farther, at roughly 6,927 to 6,946 feet.
• Pyramid Peak: about 1.5 miles farther, summit 8,309 feet. This is a steep, rocky scramble with no maintained trail.

We do not list an official trail number here. One listing gives a number that duplicates the Holland Falls trail’s #416, so check the number on a current Forest Service map.

How hard is it?

No agency difficulty rating appears in our sources.¹ The numbers speak for themselves: roughly 1,500 feet of climbing over 4 to 5 miles, finishing near 6,700 feet.² That makes it the most demanding of the featured Seeley Lake trails. Pyramid Peak beyond the pass is a different category of outing, requiring off-trail scrambling experience.²

How do I get to the trailhead?

The trailhead is at the end of Forest Road 4381, reached from Seeley Lake by way of Morrell Creek Road and West Morrell Road.¹ Following the Pathfinder’s Morrell Falls directions:⁴

1. From Highway 83, about half a mile north of town, turn east on Morrell Creek Road.
2. After about 1 mile, turn left onto West Morrell Road (Forest Road 4353) and follow it about 6 miles.
3. Turn right onto Pyramid Pass Road #4381. The Morrell Falls turnoff comes in a quarter mile; stay on 4381 to its end for Pyramid Pass.

These are Forest Service gravel roads. Ask the ranger district about road conditions, especially early and late in the season.

What is the Bob Marshall Wilderness?

The pass is a gateway to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, which together with the Great Bear and Scapegoat wildernesses covers more than 1.5 million acres.⁵ Once you cross the boundary, wilderness rules apply, and a Forest Service order sets occupancy, use and trail restrictions for the complex.⁶ Read the order before any overnight trip to Pyramid Lake.

Who uses the trail?

VisitMT and the Pathfinder describe Pyramid Pass as a popular route for outfitters and horse parties heading into the wilderness.¹² Expect stock traffic. Give stock the right of way.

In fall, hunters use this country too. Montana’s 2026 general deer and elk season runs October 24 to November 29, with archery season from September 5 to October 18.¹⁰ Be visible if you hike then.

Bear safety on Pyramid Pass

This is backcountry in grizzly country. The Forest Service food and wildlife attractant storage order applies March 1 to December 31 each year, and it matters most if you camp at Pyramid Lake: unattended food, garbage and other attractants must be stored in a bear-resistant way (penalties can reach $5,000).⁷ FWP advises carrying bear spray where you can reach it and standing your ground if a bear charges, spraying at 30 to 60 feet.⁸

See our wildlife and bear safety guide for food storage methods and encounter advice.

When can you hike Pyramid Pass?

The pass sits near 6,700 feet and Pyramid Lake higher still, well above the valley-floor trails.² Call the ranger district for current snow and road information before an early-season or late-season attempt.