2024 Map of Hilgard Peak

About this map

The Madison Range dominates this high-altitude landscape, where sharp summits and glacial basins define the geography of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. This area is characterized by a dense concentration of alpine lakes, including Hilgard Lake, Echo Lake, and the clustered Pika Lakes, which feed the complex drainage systems of Hilgard Creek and Sun Creek. The topography is punctuated by prominent landmarks such as Hilgard Peak, Dutchman Peak, and Sentinel Peak, marking the dramatic ridgelines of the Beaverhead National Forest and Gallatin National Forest. Historical access to this high country is traced through the network of established routes like the Hilgard Basin Trail and the Sentinel Creek Trail. The map illustrates the convergence of Madison and Gallatin counties along the mountain crests, centered on the high-water collection of the Hilgard Basin.