Montana • August 9-13, 2027 • $1,900
Just northeast of Yellowstone is a vast alpine domain of Montana’s highest and most spectacular peaks. We’ll be backpacking in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in the Custer -Gallatin 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 trekking route will be off-trail and above tree line. When backpacking here, prepare for any kind of weather on this fairly strenuous trip based in Bozeman, Montana.
The Absaroka-Beartooth is one of our larger Wilderness areas, and one of the most spectacular mountain regions to explore anywhere. It includes landscapes of valley, mountain, lake and streams that lie entirely over 10,000 feet in elevation, and it may be the closest thing to Arctic Alaska that one can find in the temperate latitudes of the lower 48 states.
This backpacking route presents great opportunities for anglers. Each day we will plan to be at camp on the earlier side so you can toss some flies in the water. The West Fork of Rock Creek, Shadow Lake and Ship Lake all hold fish. If you plan to fish on this trip you must provide your own fishing gear and license. We will stop by a fly shop en route to the trail head to get real time information on what the fish are biting on and to purchase flies. Although this is a great route for fishing, it is not a focal point of the trip. Folks who are just looking to get out for several days in the Beartooth’s are welcome as well!
TREK BASE: Bozeman, MT. Comfort Inn, 1370 N. 7th Avenue, 59715; (406)587-2322. Meet in lobby.
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 at the Comfort Inn lobby.
TRANSPORTATION: Major airline service to Bozeman; All clients are responsible for getting themselves to and from the airport to the hotel. We suggest Uber or any local cab company. Making those arrangements in advance is suggested.
TREK RATING: This trip is fairly strenuous at high elevations with of off-trail hiking and backpacking.
ELEVATIONS: 8,000′ to 11,000’ with higher altitudes possible on day-hikes. Maximum one-day elevation gain with backpack is 1,000′ to 1,500′. 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.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Absolutely gorgeous alpine terrain, with glaciers and Montana’s highest mountains including Granite Peak at 12,799’. A variety of wildlife typical of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, though big animals are less abundant at these high elevations than they are in lower country. Expansive alpine tundra plateaus with hundreds of icy lakes plus spectacular wildflower blooms; the Beartooths boast an unusual diversity of alpine and subalpine wildflowers in a true high mountain wonderland!
SPECIAL TIPS: There are bears, so leave deodorants and other good smelling things at the motel.
FISHING: If you plan on fishing here is the link to the Montana FWP website to purchase a license. https://ols.fwp.mt.gov/
CONSERVATION: Most of the Beartooths are within the protected Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. However, climate change and other assorted affronts to good wilderness stewardship challenge us to keep the Beartooths pristine. The western half of the southern Wilderness boundary abuts a wild portion of Yellowstone National Park. Big Wild co-founder Howie Wolke helped to get the Wyoming High Lakes area added to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in 1984.
ITINERARY: We’ll vary the route from year to year, but expect about a 3-hour drive to the trailhead from Bozeman, MT. This will be an out and back route. There is usually a mid-trip layover for day hiking to higher elevation lakes, exploration and/or relaxing.
This trip is operated under special use permit with the Custer-Gallatin National Forest.
Return to the main Montana backpacking trips page to view other related guided tours.
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Have questions? Call (406) 823-0337
