About Summit Trail
Summit Trail is a hard hiking trail near Grassy Butte in McKenzie County, North Dakota.. The surface is ground. Managed by US Forest Service. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash
HardGround
Summit Trail
Grassy Butte, North Dakota · McKenzie County · US Forest Service · TR 8003
Summit Trail is a hard hiking trail near Grassy Butte in McKenzie County, North Dakota.. The surface is ground. Managed by US Forest Service. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
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47.53922, -103.24229
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at Summit Trail
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Overcast
72°/61°
💧 12%🌬 21mph
↑ 5:00 AM ↓ 8:40 PM
Sun
Light Rain
74°/56°
💧 21%🌬 25mph
↑ 4:59 AM ↓ 8:41 PM
Mon
Overcast
71°/49°
💧 7%🌬 24mph
↑ 4:59 AM ↓ 8:42 PM
Tue
Drizzle
68°/47°
💧 51%🌬 17mph
↑ 4:58 AM ↓ 8:43 PM
Wed
Overcast
65°/48°
💧 25%🌬 17mph
↑ 4:58 AM ↓ 8:44 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Hard” Means
Steep, technical, or long. Requires good fitness and experience.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- Moisture-wicking T-shirtLight color, breathable.
- Lightweight shorts or pantsQuick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- Brimmed sun hatBetter than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- Trail runnersBreathable mesh uppers.
- Rain jacket / shell51% chance of precipitation in the forecast.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 6)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- Headlamp + spare batteriesLong days can run late — never rely on phone flashlight alone.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
- Dry bags for electronicsPhone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in North Dakota
Trail conditions in North Dakota change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
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