While the act of hiking can be a pleasant, heart-pounding experience, it’s understandable to prefer a trail that comes with a few visual rewards. There’s something special about hiking toward a beautiful view, and luckily, plenty of Montana trails offer just that. The Big Pryor Mountain Ice Cave Trail has a pretty steep climb, but everyone who hikes it will tell you it’s well worth the effort.
The Big Pryor Mountain Ice Cave is a 3.6-mile trail located near the small town of Bridger in Carbon County.
Jeff Hartman / alltrails.com While it’s a pretty steep climb to the top, the hike isn’t extraordinarily challenging, which is why the trail is ranked as moderately difficult.
While the elevation gain starts right away, the beautiful views do as well.
Jeff Hartman / alltrails.com The climb is about 1,600 feet in total.
Most of you trek will be through a thick forest of Douglas fir, which feels nice and peaceful.
Chris James / alltrails.com The hike is cool, quiet, and secluded - perfect for those days when you just need to get away from it all.
You might spot some wildlife along the way, but it’s more likely to be squirrels and grouse than anything else.
Jeff Hartman / alltrails.com That said, black bears have definitely been spotted on the trail, so exercise caution.
The Big Ice Cave is a single chamber of the ice cellar type, with a steep entrance that descends down into a huge chamber.
Jeff Hartman / alltrails.com The cave itself has two openings - one in the traditional entrance, and another that’s a more vertical opening (where the ice and snow come in).
The cave acts as a cold trap, as cooler air is heavier than warm air.
Jeff Hartman / alltrails.com In the winter, the cold air flows into the cave, and in the summer, it stays there. This works similarly to refrigerators in stores.
When weather permits, hikers are allowed to enter the cave.
Jeff Hartman / alltrails.com But even if you can’t go inside, this is a trail worth taking. The view from the top of the mountain is surreal.
Have you heard of this challenging trail? If it seems a bit too daunting, start with one of these easy hikes.
Jeff Hartman / alltrails.com
While it’s a pretty steep climb to the top, the hike isn’t extraordinarily challenging, which is why the trail is ranked as moderately difficult.
The climb is about 1,600 feet in total.
Chris James / alltrails.com
The hike is cool, quiet, and secluded - perfect for those days when you just need to get away from it all.
Jeff Hartman / alltrails.com
That said, black bears have definitely been spotted on the trail, so exercise caution.
The cave itself has two openings - one in the traditional entrance, and another that’s a more vertical opening (where the ice and snow come in).
In the winter, the cold air flows into the cave, and in the summer, it stays there. This works similarly to refrigerators in stores.
But even if you can’t go inside, this is a trail worth taking. The view from the top of the mountain is surreal.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Big Pryor Mountain, Montana, USA
