Leota Peak, Marshall Mountain, Pyramid Peak Loop: Swan Range/Bob Marshall Wilderness

Pudge on Pyramid Peak looking off at the Missions, nearing the end of a long day.

If you're like me, the Bob Marshall Wilderness is synonymous with long backpacking trips and deep back country that requires several days to access. Day trips into the Bob weren't really on my radar, but a few things came together to give me the impetus and idea to do this trip. First was Leota Peak's presence on the Rocky Mountaineers Swan Peak List and my corresponding desire to bag it. Next was Leota's proximity to the Pyramid Trail head (about 8 miles, mostly on trail), making it doable in a day. And finally, I had some inspiration from Brian Story's blog on a more ambitious but similar outing, and from Dan Saxton's suggestion to bag Leota via this loop. 

The loop has a lot going for it, especially for Missoulians who enjoy a rugged and strenuous outing: a large portion of it is within the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the trail head is less than 65 miles from Missoula, and the route is clean (requiring not-much bushwacking), gorgeous, and is doable in a day at 16.5 miles and  6700 feet of gain (it took me 8:40 without much stopping). Here's my GPS route.

Here's the basic route beta. Follow the Pyramid Pass trail over Pyramid Pass, and continue a couple of miles beyond the pass to where the trail crosses Youngs Creek, at the base of Leota Peak. Just after crossing Youngs Creek leave the trail and climb to Leota's summit. Then walk the nice, though at times rugged, ridge to Marshall Mountain. From Marshall to Pyramid, follow the ridge until things get too technical. At this point, I left the ridge to the east and then climbed Pyramid from the northeast. Finally, rather than hiking back to Pyramid Pass to gain the trail, follow the much more direct summit ridge southwest, eventually dropping left into a large grassy bowl. You can see the trail far below from near the summit, but it's a long strenuous descent down through rock, scree, bear grass, and some brush. Again, here's my GPS route.

The ridge to Leota from Marshall. Goat and Puma Peaks (also on the Rocky Mountaineers Swan list) are in the background. 

Matt Benchmark, the Missions, and Crescent Peak from Marshall Mountain

Pudge and Pyramid Peak from Marshall Mountain, Seeley Lake on the right.

Yours truly from Marshall Mountain, Goat and Puma Peaks on the left.

Goat and Puma Peaks. I'd like to climb these two beauties.

Count Peak, also on the Rocky Mountaineers Swan list and another one I'd like to climb. Looks challenging!

Pudge heading down the ridge from Marshall Mountain on the way to Pyramid Peak.

Looking back from Pyramid Peak at most of the connecting ridge to Leota Peak. Marshall Mountain is out of view to the left. Note Count, Goat, and Puma Peaks behind.

Last Balsam Root on the endless downhill heading south west off of Pyramid Peak back to the trail.