15.9-miles, +4,320 ft; -1,060 ft; From N. Fork Trailhead via Dry Fork
I activated this as the third summit on a multi-day backpacking trip. We camped at the mouth of Dwight Creek and climbed from there.
Hike north from the N. Fork Trailhead. We turned left (west) on Tr. 061 (Lake Creek Trail) after about 0.6 miles to combine this summit with Spread Mountain (W7M/GA-079), but it is more direct to continue up the North Fork of the Blackfoot, and then turn left (west) up the Dry Fork after reaching the North Fork Cabin. The trails up the North Fork and the Dry Fork are heavily used and get cleared early in the season.
From the mouth of Dwight Creek, walk across the meadow to the nose of the Danaher Ridge and begin climbing the Omar Mountain trail. Continue up the trail a short distance and turn off to the right when it first begins to become less steep. It is better to turn off sooner rather than later since the south (left) side of the Danaher Ridge is a bit steep and cliffy. Follow the ridge upwards through the timber. The timber soon thins out making for a very beautiful ridge climb through open meadows. Danaher Mountain is a dual summit, with the higher point being the further summit that is to the northwest. The summit is on the divide between the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness areas and has great views in all directions. The Jumbo Mountain lookout can be seen in the distance to the northwest, and the Prairie Reef Lookout can be seen far to the North. This is prime Grizzly habitat, so stay bear-aware.
