Just south of Bozeman is a unique ridgeline trail that extends about 38 miles across the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The Gallatin Crest Trail provides expansive views of the Madison Range to the west and the Absaroka Mountains to the east. Although the northern part of the trail closest to Bozeman gets the most amount of use, partly because of the trail up to Hyalite Peak, the rest of the route can be pretty lonely. Part of the reason for that is the lack of water on a 12-mile expanse of trail, meaning hikers either have to drop down off the ridge to refill water bottles, or carry enough water to weather the drought.
