Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Beartooth Mountains, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Beartooth Mountains, Easy Day Hikes
Quinnebaugh Meadows
Quinnebaugh Meadows is a gorgeous mountain meadow that is surrounded by spectacular views of the Silver Run Plateau, and nearby Whitetail Peak. Wildflowers blanket the meadows, and line the trail all the way to Quinnebaugh Meadows. Nearby Rock Creek thunders down two waterfalls along the trail, with side trails leading to both falls. Once you reach the meadows, the number of people that you passed on the trail all seem to disappear- the meadows are so expansive that they easily swallow large and small parties alike.
Hiking to the meadows is rather straightforward, as the trail gains only 1,000 feet in 5 miles. The trail itself is well built, well maintained, and well traveled. You can expect to see company on this trail, but that won’t bother you much once you reach Quinnebaugh Meadows. There are also no turns on this trail, other than a left turn at the trailhead.
(more…)
04 Aug 2015
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Madison Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Easy Day Hikes, Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Madison Range, Spanish Peaks
Lava Lake, located in the Spanish Peaks section of the Madison Range
It’s hard to find a good mountain lake that is close to a city, but yet is still surrounded by untouched wilderness. Lava Lake is located just minutes from Bozeman, but is still a scenic destination in the wilderness. Although the traffic on the trail is heavy (expect plenty of company on the trail), the condition of the trail has been kept clean by the forest service- and it shows. On a typical summer day, 30+ parties are not uncommon. The large nearby parking lot ensures that unless you hike this trail in February, you can expect to bump into quite a few people on this trail. However, the fishing and beautiful scenery more than make up for the busy trail. The trail is rather straightforward as well, although it is uphill all the way.
The trail to Lava Lake gains 1600 feet in 3 miles, making it a short but strenuous hike. I’ve rated it as easy, but the trail is really somewhere between easy and moderate, given the steep grade. That being said, the trail does have a few straight runs, and offers plenty of scenic spots to take a break at. The biggest challenge of this hike isn’t the trail, but instead finding somewhere to park.
(more…)
31 Jul 2015
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Beartooth Mountains, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Beartooth Mountains, Easy Day Hikes
Upper Basin Creek Lake
Nestled under the scenic Silver Run Plateau lies one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Beartooths- Upper Basin Creek Lake. Although the trail gains more than 2,000 feet in the short 4 miles to Upper Basin Creek Lake, that doesn’t stop hundreds of hikers from enjoying this trail. In fact, this trail’s popularity led the forest service to designate it a National Recreational Trail. The traffic won’t keep you from enjoying the two lakes on this trail however, as this trail does an impressive job of splitting the traffic between Upper and Lower Basin Lakes.
(more…)
14 Jul 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Trails in the Beartooth Mountains, Moderate Day Hikes, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Beartooth Mountains, Moderate Day Hikes
Silver Lake
There are some hikes where the trail itself is more interesting than the destination. Silver Lake is much like that- the official trail ends 2.5 miles from the lake, and the rest of the trail is maintained only by hikers such as yourself. This trail leads through a remote section of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, while passing two popular lakes along the way.
This hike has something for everyone- fishing, wildlife photography opportunities, and swimming (some of it non-intentional). It also offers the opportunity to lose the trail in several places, one of my favorite features of this trail. This trail is easy to follow for the first six miles, but the remaining 2.5 miles are anything but easy.
(more…)
13 Jul 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Trails in the Beartooth Mountains, Moderate Day Hikes, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Beartooth Mountains, Moderate Day Hikes
Princess Lake
It’s a rare experience to hike on one of the busiest trails in the Beartooth Mountains, and hike in solitude for the last two miles of the trail. Princess Lake is a beautiful mountain lake located in the West Rosebud section of the Beartooth Mountains, and it’s just two miles from Mystic Lake– arguably one of the most popular day hike destinations in the Beartooth Mountains. The last two miles of the trail to Princess Lake are anything but busy, however. In the early or late season, you could easily have the lake to yourself. The trail to Princess Lake is what keeps most hikers away- the steep grade and faint track are not for inexperienced hikers.
This trail has a little something for everyone- rock fields, uphill switchbacks, flat runs, mature lodgepole pine forests, and good fishing. It also offers the opportunity to be lost in the woods, one of my favorite parts of this trail. The trail is well defined for the first six miles, but after that I’d recommend bringing along a GPS- just in case.
(more…)
08 Jul 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Trails in the Beartooth Mountains, Moderate Day Hikes, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Beartooth Mountains, Moderate Day Hikes
Curl Lake
Curl Lake, located in the Beartooth Mountains, is an interesting lake. Curl Lake blurs the definition between lake and river (it’s neighbor Broadwater Lake is technically the same lake), and the trail is an adventure in itself. The trail passes by two major bodies of water (Kersey Lake and Broadwater Meadow Lakes), making it a messy swamp early in the year. A couple of months later (mid summer), the mosquitoes are out in full force- making Curl Lake a good late summer hike. Curl Lake does make up for this by providing fishing, and an absolutely gorgeous view.
When preparing for this hike, a map/compass or GPS should be considered required gear. The trail is hard to find in places, and while route finding is very easy on this trail, the hiking is easier if you stay on the trail. Losing the trail early on can mean navigating around wet marshes, tall hills, and steep cliffs. It’s much easier to carry a compass/GPS, and avoid losing the trail entirely.
(more…)
06 Jul 2015
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Beartooth Mountains, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Beartooth Mountains, Easy Day Hikes
Calamity Falls
If you’re looking for a short day hike that allows you to see two spectacular waterfalls, look no further than Calamity Falls and Sentinel Falls. These two waterfalls are located a short distance from Red Lodge, making them a perfect short day hike. This hike is only 3.6 miles long, and gains only 511 feet, making it a good first wilderness hike for young hikers. The trail begins on the north side of the trailhead parking lot, which is clearly marked.
This is a well maintained trail, which you will notice immediately as you head down the trail. This trail is very popular in the Red Lodge area, and many boots have worn a nice trail. Try and do a good deed here, and pick up any trash that you might see on the trail. Although this trail is well groomed, it’s heavy use makes cleanup harder for the forest service. It only takes a little garbage to ruin the pristine appearance of the wilderness, which is reached after the first quarter mile of the trail.
(more…)
01 Jul 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Trails in the Beartooth Mountains, Moderate Day Hikes, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Beartooth Mountains, Moderate Day Hikes
Fox Lake- Beartooth Mountains
Fox Lake, located in the Beartooth Mountains, is suitable for a day hike, an overnight stay, or a base camp. Located just 4 miles from the trailhead, Fox Lake is a quick hike for conditioned hikers. In the mid season (July), the busy trail is easy to follow, and well marked. This may not be true in the early season (early June), where traffic is almost nonexistent, the trail is harder to follow, and snow drifts still block the trail in many places.
Regardless of when you hike to Fox Lake, you’ll want to bring proper protection against bears. Grizzly bears are common in the area, as are moose. You’ll want to be prepared for this with either bear spray, or a suitable alternative. This area (Cooke City) is notorious for bear attacks, and this trail will lead you 4 miles into bear country. When you drive to the trailhead, you’ll be reminded of this fact. Campgrounds in the area do not allow tent camping because of bear attacks, and many signs along the highway will remind you to properly store your food when camping.
(more…)
01 Jul 2015
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Beartooth Mountains, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Beartooth Mountains, Easy Day Hikes
Kersey Lake
You will rarely find a lake that offers fishing, good wildlife viewing opportunities, and is close to a major highway. Kersey Lake, located near Cooke City, Montana, is a relaxed day hike with the all of these features. The hike is an easy hike (3 miles round trip), and gains less than 200 feet of elevation. This makes the hike a perfect first hike for small children, or a quick hike for travellers passing through the area. The road to the trailhead is paved, so any motor vehicle can make the drive- something that is rare for a lake next to the Beartooth Absaroka Wilderness.
Driving to the trailhead can be considered an adventure itself. Whether if you are headed from Red Lodge, Yellowstone National Park, or Cody, you will pass trout filled lakes along the way, scenic alpine vistas, and glacier fed streams. Access to the trailhead is possible most of the time from late May to early October, but it is always best to check the Montana Road Conditions Map before you head out. The well signed Clarks Fork Trailhead is located 58.1 miles from Red Lodge, or 3.4 miles from Cooke City, on US 212.
(more…)
06 Jun 2015
Author: chris | Category: Easy Day Hikes, Hiking Trails in the Absaroka Range, Montana Hiking Trails | Tags: Absaroka Range, Easy Day Hikes
Passage Falls
Standing beneath the falls, a whirlwind of mist covers you. The mist clings to anything that isn’t already wet, and the roar of the falls deafens you. Looking up, it’s hard to imagine how many hundreds of gallons of water are pouring over the falls, or how this waterfall managed to drastically change the volcanic outcrops that you cling to. Passage Creek beneath the falls becomes a torrent, as the water rushes out of the narrow valley. This place is Passage Falls, a popular hiking destination in the Absaroka Range, and a great place for a short day hike.
Located South of Livingston, Passage Falls is an easy to find hike that offers a spectacular waterfall. The short length (4.2 miles), easy to follow trail, and low gain in elevation (490 ft) makes Passage Falls an excellent hike for hikers of any level. Although this is an excellent trail most of the year, the best times to visit are between mid-May and mid-June, when the water levels are at their highest. In addition, the trail is quite busy later in the summer, so spring tends to be my preferred season for hiking this short trail.
(more…)
26 May 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Skills
You feel your chest tighten up, your heart races, and your eyes dart back and forth trying to find a way out. You’ve become lost in the woods, and you just realized that you can’t find the way out. As the terror subsides, there’s the urge to just run- your adrenaline starts pumping, and your body tries to fix the problem by telling you to go as far as you can in a single direction. When the adrenaline wears off, you realize how hopeless your situation is. The landscape seems alien to you- did you cross this path before? The woods close in on you, and the trail seems miles away. What do you do, now?
(more…)
19 Mar 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Skills
Completed Hobo Stove with Soda Can Pot
There we were- ten miles from the trailhead, and even further from civilization. We were all staring down in disbelief at what we saw. Our only pot for boiling water had a large crack in it, rendering it worthless. We tried to patch it together with tin foil, but the truth of the situation was that we were in trouble. We were in one of the most remote places in the Beartooth Mountains, and we were without a method of boiling water. Since our freeze dried foods required boiling water to make, we could not use much of the food we had brought on that hike. We had to leave early, and quickly.
That hike out was a death march- 12 miles in one day, through a huge rain storm that lasted over 6 hours. When we arrived to the vehicle I had parked at the trailhead, we were exhausted, soaking wet, and hungry. This all could have been prevented, if we just had a reliable backup method of boiling water. This was an easily preventable emergency, and I’m now going to show you how to make one of the easiest stove/pot combinations to make, in case you are in a similar situation.
(more…)
19 Mar 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Skills
We’ve all been there- you’re down to your last match, and you want to start a fire. You strike the match, only to be left with disappointment, when the match burns out. Building a fire is not an easy task- but it’s a crucial one. Campfires bring warmth, morale, and a way to cook your meals. Whether if you are starting a fire for survival, or for entertainment, all fires are built the same basic way. Read on, if you want to know how to properly start a fire.
The first step of starting a fire is to find good quality firewood. This is relatively easy, since you’re usually in a forested area, if you are trying to start a fire. The general rule that I use is simple- gather a lot of little pieces of dry firewood, and a little of the larger pieces. You’ll have plenty of time to gradually gather more firewood once the fire is started, and you’ll conserve energy for the important part- building the fire. Remember that even if you cannot find a dry source of firewood, you can always split dry dead standing trees, and burn the insides of the trees (which will usually be dry). In a desert/dry environment, dead stems and roots of bushes can be used, in lieu of wood.
(more…)
19 Mar 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Gear, Hiking Safety
We’ve all been there- you’re 50 miles from home, and you forgot to bring your contact lens solution with you. Worse yet, you may have needed something like medication for a heart condition. Wherever you’ve been, and had a medical emergency, you’ve wished that you had the right medical supplies for that emergency. It’s this exact reason that experts recommend packing a first aid kit in your vehicle, when you take long trips. When you hike into a wilderness area, or other remote area, and are miles from civilization, there is even more of a need for basic first aid supplies. Often times, you’re days away from civilization. You don’t have the convenience of being able to walk into a store and buying supplies, when you’re in the wilderness. It’s for this reason that having a backpacking first aid kit is crucial. Once you’ve come to the realization that you need a first aid kit for backpacking, you have to determine what contents that kit will contain. When I build a first aid kit, I like to first examine what unique specialty items to include in the kit.
(more…)
19 Mar 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Gear
I have always loved winter hiking. Nothing beats the feeling of snow under your boot, and knowing that you probably won’t see another person all day long. These once busy mountains are now devoid of any sign of human influence, and the scenery this time of year is absolutely amazing. Hiking in this alpine paradise has one major drawback- the unpredictable and deadly weather. If you want to enjoy the beautiful winter views in relative safety, you need to plan your hike ahead of time- and that plan will include extra gear.
(more…)
18 Mar 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Gear
We’ve all been there- you’re standing in front of your backpack, and you sigh while looking at it’s contents. “Do I really need all of this crap”, you say to yourself. Well, let’s break down what you need, and what you don’t need. Even if you travel light, you’ll still want to check out this list. This is a list of all the hiking gear you need to hike with, whether if you are doing a day hike, or an overnighter. This is some essential gear that can save your life one day, if you need it. I’m also going to talk about some of the things that I’ve left off of this list, so you can also see what I don’t put in my pack. Just for fun, I’ve also included a list of the treats of modern life that I haul up mountains.
(more…)
18 Mar 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Safety
One of the best reasons to go backpacking, is to get away from society. To me, there is no other feeling that is greater than the peace and tranquility achieved in the wilderness. The down side of this nirvana is that if you need something in the wilderness, it had better be in your backpack. You have to plan to have every possible supply that you need, because there are no retail stores in the wilderness. This is why the planning stage of a hike is the most important- you have to plan ahead for your needs and supplies. As an example of some of the supplies you should carry in your backpack, let’s take a look at what I carry in mine:
(more…)
18 Mar 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Gear
Hiking gear can be a very sensitive topic- some hikers believe in being prepared for even the most unlikely of catastrophes, while others prefer to pack little more than a water bottle. You can load 40 pounds worth of gear in your pack, and be prepared for anything, but what’s the fun in that? Likewise, you can just take a few items in your pockets, but what happens if it rains? When you’re hiking in high elevations, you need to take extra precaution. So, here is a short list of gear that you should absolutely bring with you while hiking.
(more…)
18 Mar 2015
Author: chris | Category: Hiking Articles, Hiking Gear
We all know that you can’t safely drink water out of a river. Sure, you might know someone who swears that they don’t need to filter their water, but let’s face it- that “one guy” is always at least a little bit crazy. Water purification when hiking is absolutely a critical need on the trail. It doesn’t matter if you’re taking a couple mile day hike, or if you’re planning a multiple day hike- you need to always bring at least one method of water purification. Let’s talk about backpacking water purification, and specifically what I carry in my backpack.
(more…)
18 Mar 2015
