Hollowtop Mountain is the tallest peak in the Tobacco Root Mountains of western Montana, located near the historic small town of Pony. The range isn’t large, but is very scenic, and pretty much unknown to non-locals. But the locals seem to know they have a hidden gem, and Hollowtop actually sees quite a bit of traffic. The standard route approaches via Hollowtop Lake from the east, or take a shorter hike but more challenging 4WD drive from the north.

After a great trip up Hilgard Peak the prior day, Hollowtop Mountain was the next objective in our “Michael’s Awesome Peaks” road trip. Michael, John, and I spent the night in Bozeman, made the drive to Pony, up the rocky 4WD road past Cataract Lake, and to the Mason Lake trailhead. We were on the move and hiking by just after 8am.

The beginning section of trail sees regular ATV use to Phelps Lake, but we had the area to ourselves this day. After the main trail split to Phelps Lake, we continued on a faint trail heading southwest until the tread finally petered out after passing the sparse remains of an old cabin in the woods. We then did some lengthy, but fairly light, bushwhacking until reaching the base of the peak, due north of the summit.

Once at the base of the mountain, we climbed steeply up through the forest to a shelf of sorts, and were above tree line shortly after that. The views opened up at this point, and we traveled up the north slopes of the peak on mostly soft grassy terrain. It was a really scenic area, and we took our time with the climbing.

Eventually we made it to the upper east ridge, and then on to the summit of Hollowtop Mountain. It was a great place for a lunch stop, and a PB&J rarely tasted so good. After a while, the guys somewhat reluctantly agreed to join me on a short jaunt over to Jefferson Peak. Today was supposed to be a “rest day” but another peak so close was too hard to resist.

So we descended south from Hollowtop, up Mount Jefferson, didn’t stay long, and then retraced our path back to Hollowtop. I would describe our pace as slow and steady both coming and going. After that, we mostly just retraced our path back to the trailhead.

Hollowtop Mountain is a nice climb in a very scenic area. Highly recommended if you ask me. Our hike was just over 8 miles, 3700’ elevation gain, in 6.5 hours round trip. Next up for us was some pizza in Bozeman and an adventurous drive to the east ridge of Crazy Peak.

Map of the route, 8 miles and 3700' gain round trip.	On the trail, Hollowtop Mountain in the background.	Grouse near the trail.	Remains of an old cabin in the woods.	View of the north ramp up Hollowtop Mountain.
Hiking up through the forest.	Making our way up the north slopes.	Northern Tobacco Root Mountains in the background.	Soft grassy footing between the rocks.	Nearing the summit of Hollowtop Mountain.
Very scenic southern Tobacco Roots from Hollowtop.	Hollowtop Mountain summit shot.	Descending from Hollowtop en route to Mount Jefferson.	North face of Hollowtop Mountain from Mount Jefferson.	Back to the trailhead.
Map of the route, 8 miles and 3700' gain round trip.On the trail, Hollowtop Mountain in the background.Grouse near the trail.Remains of an old cabin in the woods.View of the north ramp up Hollowtop Mountain.Hiking up through the forest.Making our way up the north slopes.Northern Tobacco Root Mountains in the background.Soft grassy footing between the rocks.Nearing the summit of Hollowtop Mountain.Very scenic southern Tobacco Roots from Hollowtop.Hollowtop Mountain summit shot.Descending from Hollowtop en route to Mount Jefferson.North face of Hollowtop Mountain from Mount Jefferson.Back to the trailhead.