Post by panatomicx on Aug 27, 2021 12:55:40 GMT -8
The Two Flatlanders, yearning for the backcountry, set off on a trip to the Beartooths this August. Joining us were Tim, who's been with us the past 3 years, and two young people-Brooke, who proved to be an excellent hiker on our Aero lakes loop last year, and Peter, her boyfriend, who had not done any serious backpacking before.
That sense of anticipation builds as you get all your gear together.
We flew into Billings this time, as the car rental prices out of Bozeman were insane. Tim managed to secure a 4-Runner, and we drove to Red Lodge, taking a little detour through Columbus so we could do that fabulous drive down 78. That evening, we drove up to the pass, to get some altitude and acclimate.
The next day, we did a dayhike up to the ski area, continuing to acclimate. The scheme worked very well again-No one had any bad altitude related symptoms for the rest of the trip.
We picked some berries to feed the bears, but we didn't see any.
All set
And we finally hit the trail-out of Island Lake this time.
Wildflowers were past peak, but very pretty country nonetheless.
First stop-Albino Lake where we were lucky enough to reserve a room with a view.
Time to relax a bit, or go explore.
On the trail again-over the saddle to Jasper Lake.
Around to Triskele, Donelson and Maryott.
Camp at Crystal-Our little village.
Wednesday Brooke, Peter, and Tim climbed Sky Pilot. Joe and I stayed on guard down at the Lake.
Now we are off to Alp Lake and Sierra Creek.
A Map! How quaint!
We made camp at Wright Lake. Another chill afternoon. Took a quick dip.
We took our preferred route out of Wright up the pretty little drainage to Liver Lake. Hmm-Is this the right way? Yes!
Rachel-Cloverleaf-Golden. Don't you love to see the Lake when you get over the saddle?
Then back to Albino.
Finished up at Island Lake.
What a great hike! A bit of haze the first and last day, otherwise bright blue skies. Not a drop of rain. (Very few bugs too). And it was warm-mid forties at night and upper 70's to 80 during the day. Night skies were incredible, as always, meteors during the Perseids. Brooke and Peter led the way, dancing through the boulder fields. All the talk about crowds outdoors-very few people once you get off-trail.
One more in the books!
Photos By Mike, Joe, Tim and Brooke
That sense of anticipation builds as you get all your gear together.
We flew into Billings this time, as the car rental prices out of Bozeman were insane. Tim managed to secure a 4-Runner, and we drove to Red Lodge, taking a little detour through Columbus so we could do that fabulous drive down 78. That evening, we drove up to the pass, to get some altitude and acclimate.
The next day, we did a dayhike up to the ski area, continuing to acclimate. The scheme worked very well again-No one had any bad altitude related symptoms for the rest of the trip.
We picked some berries to feed the bears, but we didn't see any.
All set
And we finally hit the trail-out of Island Lake this time.
Wildflowers were past peak, but very pretty country nonetheless.
First stop-Albino Lake where we were lucky enough to reserve a room with a view.
Time to relax a bit, or go explore.
On the trail again-over the saddle to Jasper Lake.
Around to Triskele, Donelson and Maryott.
Camp at Crystal-Our little village.
Wednesday Brooke, Peter, and Tim climbed Sky Pilot. Joe and I stayed on guard down at the Lake.
Now we are off to Alp Lake and Sierra Creek.
A Map! How quaint!
We made camp at Wright Lake. Another chill afternoon. Took a quick dip.
We took our preferred route out of Wright up the pretty little drainage to Liver Lake. Hmm-Is this the right way? Yes!
Rachel-Cloverleaf-Golden. Don't you love to see the Lake when you get over the saddle?
Then back to Albino.
Finished up at Island Lake.
What a great hike! A bit of haze the first and last day, otherwise bright blue skies. Not a drop of rain. (Very few bugs too). And it was warm-mid forties at night and upper 70's to 80 during the day. Night skies were incredible, as always, meteors during the Perseids. Brooke and Peter led the way, dancing through the boulder fields. All the talk about crowds outdoors-very few people once you get off-trail.
One more in the books!
Photos By Mike, Joe, Tim and Brooke
