bob marshall backpacking

After a short ascent near Cliff Mountain, the trail was either downhill or flat for the rest of the day. If you prefer to arrive elsewhere, please notify the leader. The wilderness now bears his name. But the slog was worth the effort. It is a stunningly gorgeous day, and the views of endless mountains in every direction move me to the very soul. For years, I had been wanting to explore the Necklace Lakes, an enticing group of small lakes of the western edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, . We will have a group first-aid kit; you should bring personal supplies and medications (particularly blister supplies). . Horses and mules can easily be spooked by an excited pup. August 16, 2011 Steve Howe Heading out the door? Dropstone Outfitting LLC We offer stock supported hiking trips where all you carry is a small daypack as you explore the peaks and valleys of the Bob. We will discuss and practice minimal impact camping techniques. Click the links below to learn more about potential hazards when planning a trip into The Bob. If I recall from the 2018 event where we started from the N. Fork Blackfoot TH, there were some sketchy sections below the TH. Come join us for fair chase hunting on public lands. Day 1: West of sleepy Choteau, Montana, our hike will start at the South Fork Sun trailhead near the Benchmark Campground. Andrew I have been to the pass between Flint and Observation point a few times. No raft is gonna equal a terrible road walk at the end. See more tips on choosing your route below. We camped at the take-out, and had a couple of good thunderstorms rage through the mountains. After miles of navigating fallen timber, we stumbled wearily onto the bank of Lena Lake. From the west bank of Upper Holland Lake, we crossed over the Swan Range, finally entering the Bob Marshall Wilderness via Gordon Pass. But other folks who have paddled that stretch will probably have more info. We could see west towards the Flathead that we had floated the day before, with high, snow-capped mountains rising in the distance. Hiking distance is about 9 miles. TRIP 1: North Fork of the Sun - June 26-30; 5 trail days, 2 ranch nights $2750 plus tax ** FULL ** However, we would like to meet the whole group at 5:00 p.m. the day before the official start of the trip to have an orientation, review packing suggestions, and eat dinner together at a local restaurant. Bob Volunteers sought - Yahoo News Medium-Large backpack for carrying all of this stuff! No climbing experience is required. The wind through the skeleton forest whistles in an eerie way. Upper Holland Lake, Necklace Lakes, and Pendant Lake are . During our descent into the Lick Creek Valley, we met numerous hikers whose adventures had been defeated by the unusually high, swift waters of Gordon Creek. Tracy and I decided we would simply hike out the remaining eight miles to the Benchmark Trailhead. Flathead National Forest - Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Boots haphazardly repaired, we began our days trek. Bathing in the frigid waters of the mountainous wilderness is not for the faint of heart. From Choteau, the trailhead is 56 miles, and about two hours' driving time. At one point during these rapids, Layne entered a tight turn in the river with a strong rapid that led straight into a jam of trees. Have you dreamed of hiking Montana without the burden of a heavy pack? Today we climb Prairie Reef, almost 11 miles round trip and at least 3500 ft in elevation. Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Glacier View RD Glacier View Area . Day nine was a much easier day. We arrived about an hour and a half before Layne made it, so we spent that time drying gear and tending to Tracys mangled feet. His paddle became stuck in a tree under the water, and was just flapping in the river with one blade sticking straight up out of the water. Layne had lots of portaging around log jams, and then he ran into a nasty logjam at the confluence that required lots of misery to exit. Pick your route. We used Kokopelli packrafts in Alaska, but I decided that if we were going to do this type of activity more often, then I wanted something lighter and more packable. Straddling the Continental divide, you can experience dramatically different ecosystems. The Birch Creek area is a corridor used by mule deer and elk as they migrate from the interior of the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the Rocky Mountain Front. Sierra Club and "Explore, enjoy and protect the planet" are registered trademarks of the Sierra Club. For more backcountry adventures, check out Backpacking Pelican Valley to Lamar Valley in Yellowstone, and Backpacking in Yellowstone: Heart Lake to South Boundary. Overpacking food is one of the most common backpacking mistakes. Originally established in 1941, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area was named in honor of the late Robert Marshall, a strong wilderness preservation advocate and member of the Forest Service. Thanks Bob Marshall Wilderness, you captured our hearts. The waters surface was as smooth as glass, save for countless breaching fish. Call the USFS Ranger District office of where you plan to go and ask them about the stream crossing conditions. Wear your boots on a few short hikes before a big trip. On the way to our campsite, we discover a stunning double cascade. You dream it up, and we help with the restthis includes backpacking, day hikes, stock-supported trips, and any wild ideas that need some additional support. If youre dropping in from the North (and so cant scout the river on the hike in) the availability of a wood report from the current season is also a factor in the decision matrix. Once you get to the actual trail (which can be overgrown at times) there are places to hide you bike or lock it up among all of the Huckleberry bushes. Login or become a member to post in the member forums! According to AllTrails.com, the longest backpacking trail in Bob Marshall Wilderness is. You passed right by a cabin site that my step grand father, Goalman White, had at Arsenic Creek and the North Fork of the Sun River. If the forecast looks a little on the cool or wet side I add a fleece shirt or vest. If I make it out there this year I imagine Ill do the bottom 4 or 5 miles of the Dry Fork into NF Blackfoot. Full set of long underwear, warm pants for evening, wool or fleece shirt/sweaters/jackets, Hiking socks and camp/sleeping socks (one pair that you dont hike in! Once everything was mostly dry, we made a short, easy hike along the headwaters of the White River to the base of the climb up to Larch Hill. Additional trip details and rates can befound here. Wildflowers were most prevalent on this stretch, and we encountered substantially less blowdown than the day previous. Can you do it above or under the surface? We only have 5 miles to go today, on a gentle return to the trailhead. If you're looking for elevation gain, Bob Marshall Wilderness has you covered. Peak backpacking weather is June through October. Best place to backpack the Bob Marshall? | Backcountry Post Audible gasps, momentary motionless shock and a fair amount of floundering about ensued, but none of us could deny the invigorating results or the contented sleep which followed. Know what to do with your waste. This makes our Montana pack trips the perfect way to explore the incredible landscape of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Well have a magnificent setting to reflect on the question: How much wilderness is enough?. We wove on through the valley, Holland Lake Trail repeatedly greeting us with cascading waterfalls, until we reached our days endpoint at Upper Holland Lake. The trees were thick, the forest was quiet, and it was really wet. We got on the water at Danaher Creek, about five miles up river from the South Fork of the Flathead on day three. These backpacking trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 139 AllTrails community reviews. "Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. the end of the road TH that heads up to HQ Cr Pass? Hours. The entire wilderness is in Montana. 65+ miles. Its also a challenge. Please remember to bring adequate gear and supplies, and remember to check the weather before you strike out on the trail. Where you go ought to be determined by your preferences (high mountains, lakes, river valleys, forests) as well as where you'll be driving in from. It was just a 4.5 mile day, along the flat valley, with a couple of river crossings. BPL Member it's official https://bedrockandparadox.com/bob-marshall-wilderness-open/ The 2021 Open will start at 0800 MDT, Saturday May 28th. Your comment will not appear until we have reviewed and approved it. A Membership is required to post in the forums. The difficulty rating reflects the long distances expected and the elevation gain and loss on our more challenging days. Big Wild Empty: The Bob Marshall Wilderness - Backpacker its looking like the michigan crew is coming back- covid or not , weve got some scores to settle with the Bob- havent looked at the route yet , but judging from your comments. Standing high above Upper Holland Lake once again, we officially exited the Bob Marshall Wilderness for another year. Lots of weather. After phoning a mechanic friend, we were advised not to drive it another mile. Just as were getting sleepy and dozing off a long, low howl pierces the air, followed by a cacophony of howls. Of course we wont know the flows to that level of detail having spent the last 36 hours in the backcountry, but its a useful reference I think. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 24 h 11 min to complete. -Any form of human-powered locomotion is allowed within the identified course area. Know how to not get lost. What is linear travel? Dave, I was eyeballing the Dry fork and reading your notes on it in the Packrafting the Crown book. Tracy was stumbling around on rims by the end of the day, so we found a campsite and called it a night. Water droplets collect at the top of the dome above me and spill down nylon slopes to the ground, the intensity waxing and waning. Of course, as soon as I mentioned my idea to Layne, he was on board. The storm quickly moved through, and we were treated with a nice rainbow. Trip prices include home-cooked meals, snacks, guide services, stock support, airport shuttle, group gear, logistics and planning, permit fees, photo-sharing coordination, a lunch bag and map of the route. It's novel to be in an area where the ridges and peaks are unfamiliar, and adds to the feeling of remoteness and awe. 12The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is actively seeking volunteers for a slate of trail maintenance projects in the latter part of the field season. A great start to our backcountry trip! Save my name, email, and site URL in my browser for next time I post a comment. The mountains can get very cold at night or at the summit, even in the middle of summer. Be prepared to hang your food at night and whenever you leave camp, and carry bear spray. Know safe stream crossing techniques. With these three traits, the rest will work out! Blisters are the worst! As our trips take you into a wilderness are, trails are only open . Plan to filter your water. Motorized and mechanized uses are prohibited in wilderness. We will prepare simple, lightweight, easy-to-prepare, good-tasting meals from dried and freeze-dried ingredients, using recipes tested on previous Sierra Club trips. Up to this point, The Bob had been much more forested than we usually see in the Rockies. Ive got a week off over spring break and was thinking of doing some scouting testing out some gear. The trail down low was tangled in brush, so we were soaked from the wet bushes over the trail. If youre missing something or just want to try out the newest ultralight backpacking gear, RightOnTrek also offers local camping and backpacking rentals with super simple pick-up and drop-off options. Bob Marshall Packrafting - Outside By Nature Trip Reports The views from the side of Pagoda Mountain were incredible. (unless otherwise noted) Each packer has up to 4 head of stock to haul in group gear such as food, tools and kitchen equipment. VIDEO: Big Bison Sends Other Bison Sailing Through Air. It was named to honor Bob Marshall, the co-founder of the Wilderness Society who worked tirelessly to protect and preserve primitive lands in the lower 48 states as well as Alaska. by Jenny Golding | Aug 28, 2022 | Adventures, Yellowstone Life. Be bear prepared. Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 125 total), WEBINAR Thu July 13 @ 7 PM US MDT: How to Pitch an Ultralight Tent, This topic has 124 replies, 23 voices, and was last updated, the trailhead at the corrals (off of road 190-D) that starts right at the S Fk river crossing, or. High Sierra Hiking: Mammoth Crest to the Silver Divide, California, Trekking on the Timberline Trail, Mt. We spent two nights at Upper Holland Lake before returning to civilization below, doing little more than enjoying time together and reflecting on our shared experience. We stopped for lunch at the Big Praire bridge, and when we got back on the water, the rivers personality completely changed. After about three hours on Danaher, we met the confluence with Youngs Creek, and now we were on the South Fork of the Flathead River. I cant wait to explore more of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Please understand that the route may need to be changed for your safety, depending on trail conditions, weather, or the groups ability. Extractive industries continue to greedily eye the Rocky Mountain front, and past inroads have already taken their toll. We were on our way to drop Little George and a friend at camp, and then embark on our first-ever foray backpacking the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, when a sickening vibration started in the front end, leading us to pull over in Butte. Finally I can relax. thats easily accessible in your pack to take care of hot spots early on. Finally I can relax. Expect backpacks to weigh between 35-45 pounds; group sizes are limited to eight participants. While we offer day hikes, stock-supported hiking tripsare our most popular offering and are what we specialize in. Penguin Books, 1984. We would then meet (location to be specified later) at 7:00 a.m. on day one (Sunday, July 3) after breakfast to drive to the trailhead. Make sure everything is in good working order before you open it up in the backcountry. Home to nature's array of wildlife - elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, eagles, moose, and bear to name a few, this wilderness area is also a fisherman's paradise. Along the way, we saw lots of grizzly tracks, including one grizzly track that could have made a convincing argument for Sasquatch. The areas we will visit are among the most remote in the Lower 48, yet well still see evidence of other users. Call for inquiries. It's not often we get to backpack alone together, and we were on a mission!Passing through Lincoln, Montana I spot a roadside cherry stand, and George takes a hard left and pulls in. Map will load in a new window and may take a minute to fully load all the details. in Montana, when a sickening vibration started in the front end, leading us to pull over in Butte. We finish the trip on Saturday, July 9. Group size limited to 8 10 people, and trip difficulty depends on route. Of course, as soon as I mentioned my idea to Layne, he was on board. You can buy detailed maps from our website, or Forest Service maps from Ranger Stations around the Complex. Passing Trixies at the end is just cruel and unusual punishment, the end is not looking superb at this juncture, Yikes! But that was epic runoff year also. Loop Hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness: Chinese Wall to Trilobite Be respectful and do not cause unnecessary stress on these wild animals. We also encounter two snowshoe hares, one that hangs out for a bit in the burned area at the end of a downed log, gazing back at us, ears erect, nose twitching, big brown eye flecked with red. Freaking cold, with the tingly silky feeling that comes after making yourself dunk in a mountain stream. Guided Hiking Trips - Bob Marshall Wilderness - 406 Wilderness Outfitters We believe in eating well on hiking trips and plan for a variety of tasty, nutritious food. Tell someone where youre going, and when you plan to be back. The entire climb up to Pagoda was a long slog, but it never seemed too difficult. It was getting late, and we rushed to find a campsite, and ended up settling on the flattest spot we could find. Click here for a guide on how to use the online BMWC trail map. By signing up, you are opting in to receive periodic communications from the Sierra Club. I did not see another human being the entire tr. Review your route to see if youll make any major stream or river crossings, and have a backup plan if the water is too high to cross safely. Two bears in camp. These are hybrid adventures part of the trip has stock support and all the comforts that go along with it, while the other portion of the trip is strictly backpacking. ), Kitchen kit: stove and gas, lighter, camping pot/pan, spoon/fork, bowl/plate (Tupperware or reusable bags work for meals and as a lunch box), & hot mug, Bear hang kit (p-cord, stuff sack, carabiners) or bear-resistant food storage containers. That means big-trip scenery requires, well, a big trip. We cannot consider existing wilderness designation to be permanent as far as threats from oil and gas exploration or hard rock mining industries are concerned. Backpack the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana - Sierra Club We offer several servicesfrom drop camps to guided hunts. We take a long lunch break at a beautiful pool along the river. As tempting as a cold, clear mountain stream appears, its hard to say what may be laying upstream. Course area is all public land in Montana. Day 6: Continuing on the North Fork Sun River trail, our destination is Windfall Creek and camp. Box 1515 We offer limited drop-camp and food drop services. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Doig, Ivan, This House of Sky (Landscapes of a Western Mind). Share your itinerary. There are endless views and several mountain lakes to fish at and enjoy. At high water levels, even the N Fk below the TH and above Kleinschmidt flats is pushy and technical. Full video coming out some t. If taking a break on the trail, don't leave packs in the trail. @danqm We may have to consider alternative routes depending on the abilities of our group and natural obstacles we might encounter. I hope at least a few folks float the Dry Fork. My stepfather (now known as Grandpa David) is our humble leader, both on the trail and in determining our route. . Whether you're an avid backpacker who wants to hit the trail with a new group, a life-long visitor to The Bob who wants to lend to its stewardship, or a first time camper who's comforted by having a trip leader organize logistics, . At Dropstone Outfitting, our trips are fully guided hiking adventures with stock assistance in the heart of Montanas Bob Marshall Wilderness. Its been remarkably wood free for years now, but who knows when that will change. Between Forest Service crews, professional outfitters and families packing themselves in, this historic skill is alive and well in the Complex and its essential to know what to do when you run into horseback riders on the trail. You may need to reassess once you arrive if your site is surrounded by dead trees, the creek has dried up, or theres nowhere to put a bear hang so have some backups picked out! We finally lose the bear tracks when we turned south along the West Fork. Because the trail was so easy, though, we ended up walking about 14 miles. Our hiking distance today is about 7 miles. Mike M and I found a dandy this weekend. Likewise, wilderness travel can go as planned or unforeseen conditions or circumstances can necessitate a change in plans, so please bring a flexible attitude with you on the trip. Download the app . America's Best-Kept Secrets: Bob Marshall Wilderness - Backpacker Two mountain passes. Note: there is no overnight parking at the finish. Despite the weight of our packs (mine weighed in at just 37 pounds this year), we were rested, fed and energized for our adventure. Start will be the South Fork Teton TH, finish the Sunset Hill bridge on the Blackfoot River, just upstream from the Clearwater. Break in your new hiking boots before you go. Though we will figuratively walk in his footsteps; we wont try to match his mileage with our full packs. Highlights from a 9 day 100 mile solo backpacking trip in Montana's Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wildernesses. 65 mile loop overview. Luckily for Layne and his paddle, Tracy also hit the logs and flipped, but she dislodged Laynes paddle when she hit it. Below where the NF Blackfoot comes out of the mountains it looks like Class II, ditto the Blackfoot proper. After our packrafting trip in 2017 to the Brooks Range of northern Alaska, I knew that I wanted to use these packrafts to explore more of the deep backcountry. We only take a limited number of custom trips each year and are scheduling out two years in advance. The Bob is used by many people traveling with horses and mules. - John Muir, The National Forest Service describes the Bob Marshall Wilderness (or just the Bob) as one of the most completely preserved mountain ecosystems in the world, the kind of wilderness most people can only imagine: rugged peaks, alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, grassy meadows embellished with shimmering streams, a towering coniferous forest, and big river valleys. Located just below Glacier National Park, this million-acre wilderness is part of the larger Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, composed of the Bob, the Scapegoat Wilderness (240,000 acres), and the Great Bear Wilderness (290,000 acres). Its a feast of sensations this morning; the heavy pack creaking on my back, the wind panting through the trees, the smells of the cool forest, the searing heat on my shoulders when we enter the burn, the silky feel of the breeze on my skin in the shadows, the ache in my thighs and calves from the climb yesterday. We know that decisions are temporary and can be changed by new administrations and new government officials. Mon 9am - 4pm. Those ranges look crazy. Ive paddled the NF Blackfoot twice, once at around 1200 CFS and once at like 450. Take care to preserve the backcountry by leaving no trace of your presence. Plan a route which allows for flexibility should you encounter unforeseen issues. The final two miles up to Pagoda Mountain gained about 2,000 feet of elevation, but it wasnt a terrible climb. Bob Marshall Wilderness Chinese Wall Circuit He pores over maps in search of interesting trail intersections with regular water access. No paved roads bisect the Bob. How many backpacking trails are in Bob Marshall Wilderness? Its peculiar how easily the wilderness begins to shape us once we remove ourselves from civilization. This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. All backcountry projects will have stock to haul in group gear. Just as were getting sleepy and dozing off a long, low howl pierces the air, followed by a cacophony of howls. Always be prepared when planning a hiking or backpacking trip! Plan your meals. After following a promising side trail towards the river, we find a beautiful undercut cliff illuminated by reflected light from the green water--but no campsites. If youre interested in backpacking in The Bob, we offer non-stock supported trips. The trail was fine, but it had a lot of switchbacks that extended the length of the hike. Weve been following black bear tracks all morning. Contact the leader for details. Please email. These are ideal trips for The Bob the horses and mule take a burden off your back while on the maintained trails, but the backpacking portion gets you off of the beaten path and into some truly remote and rugged country. On day one, we hiked southwest along the South Fork of the Sun River, and made our . Montana Pack Trips in the Bob Marshall Wilderness | JJJ Ranch Water bottles/Camelbackat least 2 liters (3 recommended). -This is not a race. Call or email us to inquire about drop camp dates or check out hunting opportunities here. So we bought two Alpacka packrafts and started researching our next trip. Trip prices include home-cooked meals, snacks, guide services, stock support, airport shuttle, group gear, group base camp facilities, logistics and planning, permit fees, photo-sharing coordination, a lunch bag and map of the route. 4063873822 trails@bmwf.org. Day 7: On our last day, we continue to follow the North Fork Sun River back to the trailhead and cars for a distance of about 9 miles. No linear travel on the surface of paved roads. Keeping your dog under control and close to you will prevent accidents. Trip costs include meals, guiding, logistics, permit fees, one food drop, airport shuttle, group gear, photo-sharing coordination, a lunch bag and trip map.
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