Montana $1,900 • July 1-7, 2012
Just south of Glacier National Park is the vast Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, a jumbled region of rugged peaks, expansive dense forest, wild valleys, and profuse populations of elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, grizzly, and much more. Bigger and wilder than Glacier, scenery here is big and ruggedly spectacular. We’ll explore forests, glacial valleys, high basins, and soaring peaks and ridges along and adjacent to the Continental Divide, in the unprotected Front Range of the Lewis and Clark National Forest, where the high peaks meet the Great Plains—a spectacular display of the tectonic forces that created the Rocky Mountains. We rate this trip fairly strenuous and its base is Great Falls, Montana.
Our treks are in the “Badger-Two Medicine” area (named after two of the major drainages). We often begin and end the trek in North Birch Creek, a breathtaking mountain valley. Although the “Badger-Two Med” is not yet formally protected as Wilderness, it is very much part of the greater Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. This is sacred land for the Blackfoot Indians.
TREK BASE: O’Haire Motor Inn, 7th Street and 1st Ave. South, Great Falls, MT (800) 332-9819.
MEETING TIME: Pre-trip orientation plus food/gear handout and safety talk at 6 pm the evening prior to the first day of the trip, at the O’Haire Motor Inn.
TRANSPORTATION: Air Service to Great Falls. Call motel in advance for airport shuttle.
TREK RATING: Fairly strenuous. Rugged country with ups and downs; a day or 2 at 8-9 miles.
ELEVATIONS: 5,000-8,000 feet with higher day-hikes optional. Max. elevation gain with pack 2,000’.
WEATHER: Typically sunny with brief afternoon thunderstorms, warm days (70’s) and cool nights, but radical and sudden changes in weather do occur, and we must be prepared for anything! View the National Weather Service forecast.
FISHING: Stream fishing quality near our lower camps depends upon early summer water levels. Please inform us if you plan to fish and secure a Montana fishing license prior to the trip.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Very rugged and spectacular limestone peaks near where the prairie gives way to the Rockies. Extensive dense forests, beautiful meadows and lots of wildlife including grizzlies, wolves, mountain goat, elk and more. Although “The Front” remains unprotected, it is an integral part of the world-class Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and is segregated from the Bob Marshall Wilderness only by a line on the map. It is truly wild and absolutely breathtaking!
SPECIAL TIPS: This is grizzly country, so eschew deodorants and other sweet smelly substances!
CONSERVATION:
Conservationists are working to add this gem to “The Bob”, so it will have permanent protection from the oil industry, which hopes to “develop” the Front for oil and natural gas. Big Wild Adventures supports all efforts to add “The Front” to the contiguous protected Bob Marshall Wilderness area.
ITINERARY: This is primarily a loop trip, with some backtracking at the beginning and the end, about a 2 hour drive from Great Falls. There’ll be at least one layover with great day-hiking opportunities. We’ll be in the “Badger-Two Medicine” section of the Front, just south of Glacier National Park, and adjacent to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The specifics may vary depending upon conditions such as stream crossings, snow on passes, etc.
