Montana Backpacking

NORTHERN YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE AND WILDFLOWER EXTRAVAGANZA
Montana / Wyoming $1,700 • June 15-21, 2008

Springtime in the Rockies is a magical season, especially in this land of big valleys and rolling hills beneath the still snow-covered Absaroka and Beartooth mountain ranges. The spectacular Black Canyon of the Yellowstone is here and this is a super trip for viewing wildlife; deer, elk, moose, pronghorn, and bison are usually seen and we may also glimpse coyote, bear (black and grizzly), bighorn, beaver, gray wolf, bald eagle, and other species. There’s lots of time for day hikes in this green paradise of extensive forest, big meadows of grass and sagebrush, and spectacular blooms of spring wildflowers. This moderate trip is based out of Gardiner, Montana.

GLACIER PARK’S WILD SISTER, THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT
Montana $1,700 • June 29-July 5, 2008

Just south of Glacier National Park is the vast Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, a jumbled region of rugged peaks, wild valleys, and profuse populations of elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, grizzly, and much more. Bigger and wilder than Glacier, scenery is big and ruggedly spectacular. We’ll explore lush forests, glacial valleys, high basins, and stark peaks and ridges along and adjacent to the Continental Divide, in the unprotected Front Range, where the high peaks meet the Great Plains in 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. This trip is run by and for Big Wild Advocates (see Backpacking With Us page for more additional information).

YELLOWSTONE'S HIGH, WIDE & WILD GALLATIN RANGE
Montana / Wyoming $1,600 • July 13-18, 2008

The northwest corner of Yellowstone is a little-known mountain wilderness of high peaks, wide-open vistas, deep lush woods, beautiful verdant meadows, icy lakes, and clear mountain streams. Big populations of elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, plus black and grizzly bear thrive here, and opportunities to view wildlife are excellent. Mid-summer wildflower blooms are spectacular. Although our route will traverse high ridges thrusting into alpine vastness, the trails are well-maintained and gradients are moderate. We rate this trip moderate to fairly strenuous, and its base is Bozeman, Montana.

PEAKS AND LAKES OF THE RUGGED SELWAY-BITTERROOT WILDERNESS
Montana/Idaho border $1,500 • July 7-11, 2008

This huge area southwest of Missoula is a diverse mountain wonderland of wild rivers, densely forested ridges and valleys, alpine crags rising to over 10,000 feet, and sparkling glacial lake basins. Beneath the snow-flecked peaks the verdant forests and meadows are lush, and there’s a good chance of seeing mountain goat and other native species such as elk, mule deer, and bear. Wolves and mountain lions thrive here, but are rarely seen. We’ll explore the crest of the Bitterroots along the Montana/Idaho border, and we’ll day hike to peaks and ridges which will afford classically spectacular views of some of the most beautiful glacial-cut mountain terrain in the Rockies! Portions of this fairly strenuous trip is off-trail and near tree-line. Trip base: Hamilton, Montana.

MONTANA’S ROOFTOP—THE MIGHTY BEARTOOTHS
Montana • August 4-9

Just northeast of Yellowstone is a vast alpine domain of Montana’s highest and most spectacular peaks. 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 scenery is absolutely 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.

Scheduled Trips 2008
Below, we've listed our trips by region. Trips listed under Yellowstone Backpacking are also listed under the state in which they occur. You'll find complete information on each trip by clicking on the regional heading above each section.

For a chronological list of our adventures, click here.

List prices include our complete gear package and there is a $200 discount if you bring your own (see equipment list and/or questionnaire for details). Also, we offer a $100 discount for the second trip in a calendar year. Scheduled trips are for persons ages 16 and over. Exceptions to the age requirement will be made by us on a case-by-case basis.