Granite Peak (12,799'), Montana
Granite Peak (12,799') is
the highest peak in Montana. Lying deep within the rugged Beartooth Wilderness, it is surely one of the
most difficult of the 50 state high points. All approaches to Granite are long and rough, largely
off-trail above tree line, which is below 10,000' feet in this area. Also, the weather is notoriously
poor and changes rapidly, as my brother and I found during an attempt on Granite in late August 2004 (see
photo).
The fastest ascent and round-trip time I have heard of for Granite Peak is by Sid Hayes in 2004.
Here is Sid's complete report, which he emailed me on August 23, 2005:
"I dont have a good idea of if my time is a speed record, it probably is not. The ascent time
perhaps might be but not the round trip. It was my first ascent of this mountain so taking it
easy was the way to go. The route was via Freeze [sic] to Death Plateau. The round trip record could
be up to 2 hours faster, but I doubt, but few could do the ascent in 1:55 as I did 1 year ago.
Started on the East Rosebud trail, ascended past Slough Lake to the plateau and across it to the
summit ridge and block. I do not know if it is faster to take the West Rosebud approach to the
plateau. Round trip time was 5:30 (down slower, as usual, than up) Any good mountain runner can
beat this time (if they can climb the class 4 block near the summit)." - Sid Hayes, August 23, 2005