Cinnabar Point is currently a mature lodgepole forest on a rolling summit. In the 1980s the summit sported a dilapidated pole tower structure that may have been used as a lookout, but has since fallen and rotted. It is an easy mountain bike ride up a permanently closed road and then a short climbing trail to an off-trail gradual assent to the summit.
At the road/trail transition is a recording weather station with VHF data transmission used by the USFS and NOAA to monitor weather conditions and calibrate weather forecasts for the area. The area has been extensively timber-harvested providing lumber for many homes. Those harvest units have all regenerated into a fast-growing mostly lodgepole pine forest creating a diverse forested landscape.
Surprising was the use of the summit by a moose as evidenced by browsed shrubs and a large shed-antler. The antler was a yummy chewy for rodents seeking minerals.
Elevation gain: 800’
Trail Miles: <0.50 roundtrip.
Off-trail miles: < 0.25 roundtrip.
Water: None exists along the road or the trail.
Bear Pepper Spray: Highly recommended in all Montana summits.
Map: US Forest Service, either the Bitterroot National Forest or the Lolo National Forest, Missoula Ranger District map.
Directions: Travel from Stevensville to the north or from Florence travel to the south on the Eastside Highway #203. Turn east onto the Ambrose Saddle Road #1100. At Ambrose saddle turn north onto FS 2129 and travel approximately 3.25 miles to gated road #4268. Proceed about 1.75 miles up this road to a saddle and trail junction, Cinnamon Bear Trail #93. Take this trail less than a mile or whenever you feel comfortable and go off-trail uphill to the summit. Be prepared to crawl over a bit of mountain pine beetle killed lodgepole pine. Otherwise it is an easy hike.
