Montana • August 13-18, 2012 • $1800 donation to Big Wild Advocates
Just northeast of Yellowstone is a vast alpine domain of Montana’s highest and most spectacular peaks. We’ll be in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in the Gallatin-Custer National Forest. Glaciers, alpine tundra, and hundreds of clear, icy lakes characterize this high-altitude wilderness. Subalpine forests of spruce, fir, and whitebark pine are interspersed with flower strewn meadows. The granite peaks are spectacular, and we may see mountain goat, bear, moose ,and other wildlife. Portions of our route will be off-trail and above tree line. Prepare for any kind of weather on this fairly strenuous trip based in Gardiner, Montana.
Note: This trip is free, but we will accept only those who have contributed at least $1,800 to Big Wild Advocates during the calendar year. Trips will be led by a professional Big Wild Adventures guide who will be donating his time. You can donate at any time; donations should be made to Big Wild Advocates and are tax-deductible under applicable laws.
We vary out Beartooth route from year to year. Occasionally, we run this trip out of Bozeman, not Gardiner, depending upon which side of the Wilderness we use for access. Either way, if you’re flying, you’ll fly into Bozeman.
TREK BASE: Gardiner, MT. Yellowstone River Motel, 14 Park Street, (888) 797-4837 or (406) 848-7303. Or, Gardiner Guest House B&B, 112 Main Street (406) 848-7314. , just a block apart. Depending upon the trailhead, some years we might meet in Bozeman, utilizing the Comfort Inn at 1370 N. 7th (800) 587-3833. The Comfort Inn has an airport shuttle (call in advance). But assume you’re going to Gardiner unless we inform you otherwise.
MEETING TIME: Pre-trip orientation plus food and gear handout and safety talk at 6 PM the evening prior to the first day of the trip. Meet at the Yellowstone River Motel unless notified otherwise.
TRANSPORTATION: Air service to Bozeman; for transportation to Gardiner (1.5 hours from Bozeman) call Amazing Taxi, 406-223-5344. Call in advance and identify yourself as a Big Wild client. The taxi company will try to bunch up clients on a late afternoon ride in order to reduce the per-person price.
TREK RATING: This trip is fairly strenuous at high elevations with lots of off-trail hiking.
ELEVATIONS: 8,000 to 11,000’ with higher altitudes possible on day-hikes. Maximum one-day elevation gain with backpack is 2,000 to 2,500’. Due to high elevations, we recommend that if possible, arrive in Montana a day or so early to begin acclimation.
WEATHER: Sunny mornings with clear chilly nights are typical, but afternoon thunderstorms can build up quickly. At these altitudes we must be prepared for anything from cold rain and snow to 80-degree heat.
FISHING: There are lots of lakes and streams with excellent fishing opportunities. You must get a Montana fishing license, available in Bozeman, Livingston or Gardiner, prior to the trip, and if you plan to fish, please inform us when you sign up or shortly thereafter.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Absolutely gorgeous alpine terrain, with big glaciers and Montana’s highest peaks. Granite Peak is 12,799’. Expansive alpine tundra plateaus with hundreds of icy lakes plus an unusual diversity of alpine and subalpine wildflowers.
SPECIAL TIPS: There are bears, so leave deodorants and other good smelling things at the motel.
CONSERVATION: Most of the Beartooths are within the protected Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. However, localized overuse problems plus climate change and other assorted affronts to good wilderness stewardship challenge us to keep the Beartooths pristine. We’ll discuss pertinent conservation topics around the campfire. This trip is free; but only those who’ve contributed at least $1800 to Big Wild Advocates, a 501-c-3 non-profit (do not make payments to Big Wild Adventures), during the calendar year, are eligible. Contributions are tax-deductible under applicable laws. Guides are Big Wild Adventures professionals who are not paid for leading this trip. Beyond trip costs, profits are used to advance the conservation agenda of Big Wild Advocates.
ITINERARY: We’ll vary the route from year to year, but expect at least a 1.5 to 2 hour drive to the trailhead from either Bozeman or Gardiner. There’ll be a mid-trip layover for day hiking or relaxing, and most routes are loop in which we end up either at or fairly near the original trailhead.
Return to the main Montana backpacking trips page to view other related guided tours.
