Weekend photos: Beartooth Wilderness sneak preview

I got home a couple of days ago, so I haven't had time to get all the photos edited (ha!). So this isn't a trip report--it's just a selection of a few good shots from my latest wilderness adventure, to keep you entertained for a little while until I can get my next real post out. 

I was backpacking in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in Montana with a couple of friends. Our route included some trails that barely qualify for the name, and some totally off-trail hiking, so we didn't do high mileage. We did do high altitude and high reward hiking!

I started the trip with a couple of solo dayhikes (and you can bet I had my bear spray handy; though this area doesn't have a lot of grizzlies, it is just north of Yellowstone, which is griz central for the Rockies!

 

This was my first real hint of the kind of country I'd be seeing, though where we backpacked was a little less jagged, for the most part.

You know I love a good rock. Talk about deformation!

 

The drive over the Beartooth Pass is justly famous. Not for the faint of heart, and not a road to take in a hurry. But it is breathtaking, both in terms of scenery and elevation, as it tops out at 11,000'.

The view from the top of the world.

After some juggling with cars (we were doing a one-way hike), we started walking. The first day's hike was essentially downhill. The devil's in the details, as they say. There were some steep little ups as well as downs on our way down to Granite Lake, and while the net drop was less than 300', we felt like we'd done a lot more than that. First-day packs and altitude contrived to take a toll, at 9000'.

This sign would have been more helpful if they'd moved it when they moved the trail. We found our way anyhow.

Petey Possum supervises the ceremonial drying of the boots after an unfortunate stream crossing.

Ouzel Lake has some resident mtn. goats. They were not shy.

Sunsets were mostly lost in stormy skies, but sunrise was usually worth getting up for.

Petey sunbathes on the last afternoon. Only days 6 and 7 (hike-out day) were rain-free. Mt. Villard is the jagged thing in the background.

 

That should grab your interest! I'll have a full report soon--looks like I have some other trips to report on as well!

 

Obligatory marketing/book launch content: be sure to nab your copy of Edited Out while the introductory price holds! 

 

 ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2025   
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.


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