From the trailhead, follow the creek for the first three miles. Then several switchbacks take you up the last pitch, passing multiple waterfalls along the way. Emerald Lake sits surrounded by a craggy cirque, making this a very scenic destination. Heather Lake sits another half mile to the southwest, further up the drainage, and offers additional options for your lunch break or camp site.

The trail to Palisade Falls is paved and wheel chair friendly, with an 11% grade for maximum slope. The path is sheltered by forest until you reach the scree field at the bottom of the falls. Make notice of the interesting geological formations that surround the 80 foot plunge.

Travel along a forested canyon floor following the creek and passing waterfalls on the way to Hyalite Lake. A fine destination itself, the lake serves well as base camp, if one desires an overnighter to bag the peak. From the lake follow a well defined path southwest to the saddle, then travel east southeast to Hyalite Peak.

The South Cottonwood Creek Trail is well maintained and travels through dense old-growth forest and lush meadows filled with wildflowers. The trail crosses the creek over a bridge a few times and then ends at a Forest Service cabin. This is also a junction to the History Rock Trail which follows along Fox Creek. Because this trail is a nice gradual climb, you can of course choose a earlier turn back point for a shorter trip.

The hike to Grotto Falls is on a wide, smooth gravel path with log benches along the way to enjoy the scenic points. It is wheelchair accessible and passes another waterfall en-route. The trail continues on to Hyalite Lake.

Follow the creek up the gut of Hyalite Canyon for the first four miles. The trail will then begin to switchback and you will pass periodic waterfalls on the final steep pitch. The canyon opens up to Hyalite Lake sitting in a highly scenic glacial bowl.

Take this meandering forested trail from the parking lot at the NW side of Hyalite Reservoir, to Crescent Lake, a small tarn to the southwest. After your visit to Crescent Lake travel east to the western shore of Hyalite Reservoir and follow the shoreline all the way back to the trailhead. Both bodies of water are a good spot to have your fishing gear and of course a local fishing license.

This hike provides steady elevation gain from the trail head at Hyalite Reservoir. About a third of the way to the peak you arrive at a small lake of the same name. The peak provides views of the City of Bozeman and the surrounding mountains. The open bowls that fall from the ridge are popular for backcountry skiing. When traveling in the winter be aware of currant avalanche hazard and always use safe travel practices.

This ride starts at Hyalite Reservoir and is a good, quick climb with awesome views of Bozeman and the Reservoir. The climb is on an old dirt road and the descent is on a ATV trail with a few loose rocks to watch out for.

History Rock is a sandstone rock with carvings by early settlers dating back to the 1800s. This short trail is well maintained and easy to follow. The route continues on and connects with South Cottonwood Creek and is a popular mountain bike route.