Pintler Veterans Highway

Anaconda to Drummond

Southwestern Montana · Montana · United States

Key measurements

Distance

63.6 miles

Elevation gain

1,795 ft

Elevation loss

2,806 ft

High point

6,480 ft

Low point

3,945 ft

Net change

-1,002 ft (4,964 ft to 3,961 ft)

Surface

Paved

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This 63.7-mile run follows Montana Highway 1—the Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Byway—connecting the Deer Lodge Valley to the Clark Fork River basin. Beginning near Anaconda in the shadow of the historic copper smelting district, the road climbs out of the valley floor into the dense conifer forests of the Anaconda-Pintler region. Reaching its high point of 6,480 feet near Georgetown Lake around mile 23, MT-1 then begins a prolonged descent along Flint Creek, passing through historic silver mining country near Philipsburg before flattening into wide agricultural bottomlands and terminating at Drummond (elevation 3,945 feet). It offers a dramatic cross-section of southwest Montana's terrain, moving from industrial river valley to subalpine lake basin, narrow rock canyon, and open hayfields.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Smelter Valley to Mountain Base — Miles 0.3–8.3

Starting along the gentle floor of the Deer Lodge Valley, MT-1 heads west toward Anaconda. The terrain here is framed by wide open horizons, scrub-grass valley edges, and the towering historic stack overlooking the town. The road maintains a mild grade through this suburban and light-industrial fringe, tracking straight as it prepares to enter the narrowing mouth of the western drainages.

Georgetown Summit and Flint Creek Valley — Miles 8.8–63.5

Leaving Anaconda behind, MT-1 bends southwest and climbs steadily into the Pintler Range. The highway twists through dense timber toward the high basin surrounding Georgetown Lake, reaching the route’s crest at 6,480 feet near mile 23. From the high point, the road bends northward, embarking on a long downhill run into the Flint Creek Valley. Beyond the historic mining hub of Philipsburg, the road squeezes through the rocky defiles of Flint Creek Canyon, where steep granite outcrops pinch the asphalt against the stream. As the canyon opens up, the road straightens out across cattle ranching flats to meet Interstate 90 at Drummond.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

The broad elevation span—over 2,500 feet from Drummond to Georgetown Lake—creates distinct microclimates along the route. The summit stretch near Georgetown Lake holds winter snow pack well into late spring and can see freezing temperatures and afternoon mountain squalls even during summer months. High winds often sweep across the open waters of the lake and the exposed agricultural fields near Drummond. Early morning ambient temperatures at the high point are significantly colder than in the bounding valleys.

Logistics & Services

Fuel, food, and supplies are concentrated at three distinct points along the route: Anaconda at the origin, Philipsburg near the midpoint (mile 30), and Drummond at the northern terminus. Outside these populated pockets, services are sparse. Cell coverage is generally reliable near the towns and along the open valley stretches, but can drop temporarily in the tighter turns of Flint Creek Canyon.

Important Considerations

Logging haulers and agricultural vehicles frequently use MT-1, particularly through the two-lane corridor north of Philipsburg where shoulder space is minimal. Wildlife is a constant presence; deer and elk are common throughout the forested grades around Georgetown Lake, while big game and livestock occasionally move across the road in the lower Flint Creek bottomlands. High-altitude freeze-thaw cycles can leave gravel deposits and localized pavement distress near the summit area into early summer.