HD 335 covers the Judith Mountains east of Lewistown—another central Montana island range, smaller and lower than the Big Snowys but a known mule deer stronghold. Elevations run from about 3,800 feet on the prairie around the base up to 6,422 feet on Judith Peak, the range high point. The country is rolling timbered ridges with limestone outcrops, big grassy parks, and aspen draws on the creek drainages. Lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and ponderosa carpet the slopes; the parks are bunchgrass and sage. Old gold-mining ruins from the 1880s Maiden and Gilt Edge boomtowns are scattered through the range—you'll bump into mine adits and rotting cabins on hikes. The Judith Mountains historically produced trophy-class mule deer and the country still kicks out respectable bucks for hunters who walk the back parks. Whitetail concentrate in the creek bottoms (Big Spring Creek, Warm Spring Creek); pronghorn work the surrounding prairie; some elk move through. BLM and DNRC state sections cover a significant share of the range, with private ranch ground on the lower flanks. The BLM blocks here are real and walkable—the agency manages a good chunk of the Judith Peak area. US-87 from Lewistown north and the Maiden Road climbing east into the range are the access. Lewistown has full services and is 15 minutes from the south flank. Cell service holds in town and weakens on the ridge. Many of the mining-era roads have gone dirt and turn rough or impassable in wet weather. The Judith Mountains have historically gotten less press than the Snowys to the south, which is part of the appeal—you can find country here that hasn't been walked all season if you put in the work.