The Absaroka Range

After leaving Livingston yesterday afternoon we decided to skip the longer drive to Butte, MN and head a short ways east to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. We've been in the habit of setting up camp later in the evening and wanted to start breaking that habit. It's nice to have a little more time to hang out before going to sleep.

What a decision that was - the Absarokas were amazing! Getting there was a complete wild goose chase. We got off of 90 east at exit 343 and headed south on a well-kept unpaved road. We drove and drove, gaining elevation and marvelling in the view.


The ranches on either side of the road were the only signs of civilization, plus a dirt-covered pickup truck here and there. The land was sprawling, green, and speckled with luxurious looking cattle, horses, and the occasional deer. We saw a few impressive-looking steers, enormous horns and all. The ranches themselves were lovely. Some names included 12 Springs Ranch, Burnt Leather Ranch, and Eagle Landing. We later learned that we drove past ranches owned by Tom Brokaw (sp?) and Michael Keaton. Dan and I also decided that if we could ever afford to live in this beautiful place we most certainly would. :)

We kept on driving on this unpaved road and soon started questioning whether or not we were headed in the right direction. It was a lot like trying to find Jackson Falls in southern Illinois - the last turn for Jackson is on a road that looks like a private farm lane and there's now way you'd make the turn unless you actually knew where you were going. There were no signs for the wilderness until we actually got there, and we did in fact finally find it.

The campground was completely deserted, and completely filled with mosquitos. And despite the looming rain clouds, has a pretty good night.




This morning we hiked on a fabulous trail. It was raining, so we were on the fence about whether or not to go, but Dan and I were so glad we did. We hiked through a forest, over a bridge, and up along a river running through the mountain valley. It was so green and glistening. Our only complaint was that the rain clouds were nestled on the mountains in a way that hid the peaks. Oh well. :)








There should be two cranes in this pic, but alas the iPhone has no zoom:



We saw quite a few people on our way out: bikers, fishers, and some lovely horseback riders.

Now we're headed for civilization in Missoula, MN: A hotel with showers (it's been a LONG while..), laundry, wifi, groceries, and REI.

[Mile marker 270 on 90 west, Montana, odometer read: 1855]

- From My iPhone