Got up to Tumble Basin and got a wild hair to try the north ridge approach, all went smooth, mellow class 2 until the crux 1/4 mile before the summit. There is a section where the ridge has essentially disintegrated that then then pushes into a steep cliff just below the summit. Its probably passable with pro and a rope on the west side, but the east side where we tried to push down is extremely loose and we triggered a moderate sized rock slide to the side of us that could have easily swept us off a cliff. We bailed and took the southeast ridge instead. which I would recommend. It was a nice simple walk up with no surprises.
istover - Jun 16, 2024 3:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2023
Koch Peak Summit
Hiked route starting from Taylor Fork Road in Gallatin Gateway, MT. Such an amazing day. My first experience hiking high peaks in the west.
Pleasant hike up the standard route on a beautiful September day. Superlative views of the Madisons due to the central location within the range. Really good bang for your buck on this peak.
Kyle Van Vleet - Sep 2, 2020 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2020
Cool peak.
A day in the Madisons is always a good day.
Matt Lemke - Jan 12, 2016 7:06 pm Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2015
East Slopes
Climbed the snow covered east slopes on a beautiful spring day with Paige
Morlow - Feb 19, 2015 9:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2010
Beautiful area!
Realized I never signed the log for the first time I climbed Koch! Koch was the first summit I got in the Madisons and it led me to climb a bunch of the other peaks in the range. Really stunning view from the summit of the whole Madison range.
Climbed via the standard route today with my buddy Nathan. It was a beautiful, relaxing climb minus the smoke. Views were hindered by the smoke but it was great nonetheless.
ianc82 - Jun 13, 2012 12:02 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2012
Amazingly clear skies.
Standard route from the SE saddle. Exceptionally clear blue skies. High for day was 50 in the high country. Nice firm snow till mid afternoon. Amazing views with visibility all the way from the Bridger Range to The Tetons! Never saw a single other soul. Saw 3 moose and 2 elk, all on different occasions. Why I love Montana...
Stormy day on top of Koch. Climbed the north ridge
Alcas24 - Aug 22, 2009 12:39 am Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2009
Standard
Did the standard route up Tumbledown Creek today. Round trip in a little over 5 hours despite last night's debauchery. Koch Basin is really beautiful. Didn't see any bears or even any sign. I added a note about the road/trailhead in the "Additions and Corrections" section.
b. - Jul 21, 2008 11:12 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2008
Electric!
Climbed the north ridge from Tumbledown Creek. The ridge and even the notch was easier than expected (says 5th class, I thought 4th class). Once out of the notch we both had hair standing on end on our arms so we ran over the summit and down the descent. Jolee got the buzz in her hair just as we passed the summit. Snowed, then rained, then turned into a beautiful day for the hike out. The route took less than 3 hours from our camp at the first lake.
Route Climbed: SE ridge Date Climbed: September 16, 2005
Climbed the route discribed on this site, but I think Tumbledown Creek might be a better way. I will try to add this route. A liesurly 5 hours up Three down. Fantastic views of Sphinx, Imperial even Hilgard, Cowan and Electric.
nsheffi - Jul 9, 2024 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2024
North ridge is a no goGot up to Tumble Basin and got a wild hair to try the north ridge approach, all went smooth, mellow class 2 until the crux 1/4 mile before the summit. There is a section where the ridge has essentially disintegrated that then then pushes into a steep cliff just below the summit. Its probably passable with pro and a rope on the west side, but the east side where we tried to push down is extremely loose and we triggered a moderate sized rock slide to the side of us that could have easily swept us off a cliff. We bailed and took the southeast ridge instead. which I would recommend. It was a nice simple walk up with no surprises.
istover - Jun 16, 2024 3:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2023
Koch Peak SummitHiked route starting from Taylor Fork Road in Gallatin Gateway, MT. Such an amazing day. My first experience hiking high peaks in the west.
Peaker - Sep 12, 2020 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2020
Tumbledown Creek/Tumble BasinPleasant hike up the standard route on a beautiful September day. Superlative views of the Madisons due to the central location within the range. Really good bang for your buck on this peak.
Kyle Van Vleet - Sep 2, 2020 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2020
Cool peak.A day in the Madisons is always a good day.
Matt Lemke - Jan 12, 2016 7:06 pm Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2015
East SlopesClimbed the snow covered east slopes on a beautiful spring day with Paige
Morlow - Feb 19, 2015 9:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2010
Beautiful area!Realized I never signed the log for the first time I climbed Koch! Koch was the first summit I got in the Madisons and it led me to climb a bunch of the other peaks in the range. Really stunning view from the summit of the whole Madison range.
Morlow - Sep 11, 2012 11:02 pm Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2012
Standard routeClimbed via the standard route today with my buddy Nathan. It was a beautiful, relaxing climb minus the smoke. Views were hindered by the smoke but it was great nonetheless.
ianc82 - Jun 13, 2012 12:02 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2012
Amazingly clear skies.Standard route from the SE saddle. Exceptionally clear blue skies. High for day was 50 in the high country. Nice firm snow till mid afternoon. Amazing views with visibility all the way from the Bridger Range to The Tetons! Never saw a single other soul. Saw 3 moose and 2 elk, all on different occasions. Why I love Montana...
Jolee - Sep 19, 2011 11:58 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2008
ElectricStormy day on top of Koch. Climbed the north ridge
Alcas24 - Aug 22, 2009 12:39 am Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2009
StandardDid the standard route up Tumbledown Creek today. Round trip in a little over 5 hours despite last night's debauchery. Koch Basin is really beautiful. Didn't see any bears or even any sign. I added a note about the road/trailhead in the "Additions and Corrections" section.
b. - Jul 21, 2008 11:12 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2008
Electric!Climbed the north ridge from Tumbledown Creek. The ridge and even the notch was easier than expected (says 5th class, I thought 4th class). Once out of the notch we both had hair standing on end on our arms so we ran over the summit and down the descent. Jolee got the buzz in her hair just as we passed the summit. Snowed, then rained, then turned into a beautiful day for the hike out. The route took less than 3 hours from our camp at the first lake.
CBakwin - Sep 17, 2005 10:57 am
Route Climbed: SE ridge Date Climbed: September 16, 2005Climbed the route discribed on this site, but I think Tumbledown Creek might be a better way. I will try to add this route. A liesurly 5 hours up Three down. Fantastic views of Sphinx, Imperial even Hilgard, Cowan and Electric.
Jerry L - Aug 17, 2002 1:55 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: august, 2002Too many grizzly bears !!!
ianc82 - Jun 13, 2012 12:06 am
Re: Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: august, 2002Too many? C'mon Jerry that's part of what makes this Montana:) Summitted solo last week. Very memorable. Look forward to your Bozeman visit.