Western parts of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Hikerjer is the one who should reply here. He lives up there and has done more in that wilderness than any of us.

If you are looking for beta, the trails discussed will probably be used a lot.

If you want solitude, buy a guide book. Then buy topos and find trails not in the guide book. Not trying to be a smartass, but I avoid trails in guide books unless they take me to where I really want to go.

Also, the Absaroka's have great cross country hiking where there are no trails. Guaranteed solitude.

Edit: Oops; read your OP too fast.  Off trail means finding your own destinations and routes. Look at the topos and pick the best routes for where you want to go. It's all part of the adventure. If it is documented, the beta takes away the element of discovery.

Aero Lakes area is wonderful but in my understanding quite popular now. CW are you friends with Nick H. on facebook? He gets around up there a lot too, lives in the area.


Let me know if you ever want to consider the high plateau/ridge hike from Bonneville Pass to Marston Pass. I am trying to loose enough weight to actually backpack over the Ramshorn Plateau from Bear Pocket to Lost Horse Park and down E. Sixmile Creek to the Ranch, probably early August. Should know if I will be capable or not by Memorial Day. Might see if I can get someone to bring a packhorse up to Lost Horse and have beer, steaks, and do a zero day there.

I see your point. For example, I wouldn't want to attempt the Sierra High Route or something similar without googling it first as route finding can be tricky on those sort of "hikes". Easy to get cliffed out or come to an uncrossable creek/river and waste a lot of time and energy backtracking to find a route that works.

My comments were meant for less technical off trail hikes.

The "Absaroka" part of the "Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness" is quite different geologically than the "Beartooth" part. I've mostly backpacked in the Beartooths (Eastern side), although I live not far from the nominal dividing line (The Boulder River). It is pretty in the Absarokas and there are plenty of opportunities for off-trail, but I don't have a lot of experience there, and so am reluctant to recommend anything. Bill Schneider's guidebook has many routes listed.

PM me if you want info on off-trail in the Beartooths - I've got lots of experience there. And/or check out my trip reports.

Note: the "Northern Absarokas" (part of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness) are distinct from the other Absarokas (e.g. in the Wind River Country). The nomenclature can be confusing.

cweston,

Unfortunately I can't speak to the Absaroka side either. I have hiked across the entire Beartooth plateau and done several offtrail hikes. The area around Desolation, Big Butte, gravel Till lakes are very remote and very doubtful you'll run into other hikers. From camps along that drainage made several dayhikes up to the edge of the plateau, Snowbank and Red Rock lakes. Stunning views off the plateau down to the main drainage that the main East Rosebud trail run through. Hate the term "Beaten path". If you want info on this area just let me know.

offtrail

I've not hiked extensively in the Absarokas although they are quite near. It's hard for me to leave the Beartooths. As Nick said, the Absarokas are quite a different range than the Beartooths. - not as high and lacking the extensive above tree line plateaus. They are generally more up and down from one drainage to another and over high ridges and are heavily forested. There is an extensive trail system and they are beautiful. However, I would think most off trail hiking (my experience here is limited) would be extremely rugged with lots of deadfall and limited sight due to the heavy forest. Still, there are areas that do have some pretty amazing views along high ridge lines. You certainly would not find the number of people hiking the trails in the Absarokas that you would in the Beartooths. Especially true if you stay away from the few really popular areas - Pine Creek, Mill Creek, Emmigrant Canyon, Bridge Lake, etc. I've taken a number of three and four day hikes in them on well maintained trails and not seen a soul. Also, lots of grizz.