June 28th-30th – Bearthtooth Mountains

June 28th, 2017

Beartooth Mountains

Red Lodge, Montana

The 28th:

It can’t be said enough, thank you, Kat!  She took us in for three nights, fed us, and entertained us.  It was so nice catching up with her.  But don’t worry, it’s not the last we’ll see of her.

After our Billings goodbye, we did boring errand stuff like the post office, groceries, and an oil change.  Now we are off to Laura’s favorite Montana town… RED LODGE!!!  Red Lodge is a small town about an hour south Billings.  It got it’s hip main street and is surrounded by the Beartooth Mountains.  It’s a lively town with lots of shops and restaurants.  During the summer months, Red Lodge caters to the tourists on their way through the Beartooth Pass and Yellowstone.  

We did a short walk up and down main street and got a bite to eat at Mas Taco.  One of the best taco joints we’ve ever been to.  It’s a small place and if you sit at the bar you can watch them cook.  Hand pressed corn tortillas and fresh local ingredients.  It’s no wonder this place has been nominated for a James Beard Award.  

Later in the evening, we found a campground just outside of Red Lodge.  And wouldn’t you know it, The Montana Conservation Corps had a team there.  That’s Laura’s former employer.  We didn’t bother the crews too much, but Laura got to talk with one of the leaders and hear about their project.  

The 29th:

Today is the day Camrin discovers the Rocky Mountains!  Of course, we run into unpredictability and wild animals.  We got up early and right away we noticed some dark clouds looming.  There were patches of blue sky, so we thought we could risk it.  We are headed for a trailhead near by and doing the Timberline Trail.

It’s only 4.5 miles to reach the alpine lake, but with about 2,500 feet of elevation gain, and us Wisconsin girls spending our whole lives at sea level, it’s a tough hike.  Plus, we are out of shape.  With dark clouds looming we set off down or rather up the trail.  About a mile into our hike the clouds became ominous.  These dark clouds then roll over and down the mountain to the point where we can no longer see the peaks surrounding us.  Then the rain starts.  At least we brought our rain gear.  So, we hike on.  At about two miles in the snow starts.  Grr… this hike is starting to suck.  Plus, Laura feels bad that this is Camrin’s first time in “real” mountains.  

Well, just when we couldn’t get any colder there is a crack of lighting and a booming thunder who’s echo rolls down the valley.  Laura has spent time out in Montana before, she has camped through terrible storms, and lighting is not something she messes with.  Being out in the middle of nowhere with no protection, Laura said a naughty word and we turned around.  

Here are some videos of Laura pretty much running down the mountain in fear.  Oh, and you can see we are in a forest that about 30 years ago had a wildfire.  The burnt trees really add to the dreariness of this day.  

Now we’re hiking back down.  We’re cold, we’re wet, and we’re hungry.  Camrin pleads to stop for lunch. So, we shelter as best we can next to a big rock.  Now, this is where shit gets crazy.  We’re just finishing up lunch when a Bull Moose comes lumbering out of the trees and onto the trail.  We’d say about 20-30 feet away from us.  For those of you who don’t know, Bull Moose can be extremely dangerous, can charge, and crush you.  With that thought in our minds, we were a bit terrified.  Granted, this moose wasn’t fully grown, but still.  We slowly backed away to the backside of the rock we had lunch by.  Laura whispered to Camrin to get the bear spray ready as we slowly peered over the rock.  It was still there, in the middle of the trail, staring right back at us, completely unafraid and even walking towards us.  We did our best not to panic as we slowly walked back to the trail heading in the opposite direction of the moose, and keeping one eye to the back of us.  We walked another 30 feet away, looked back and saw the moose hadn’t moved and seemed uninterested in us.  WHEW!! Lord Almighty!  Well, we’re cold. we’re wet, there’s still lightning, and now a moose is on the trail.  Time to call this hike over, and head the rest of the way back down.

Sorry, no photo of the moose on the trail was taken.  We may have panicked a little.  Tall tales will ensue.      

We head back to the campsite to dry off and warm up with some tea.  Safe and sound.  

The 30th:

We had originally only planned to stay two nights in Red Lodge before heading to Yellowstone, but Laura couldn’t let yesterday’s defeat go.  So, we decided to stay another day and try the Timberline Trail again.  Oh boy, what a difference a day makes out here.  Today is sunny and warm.  We think the odds our in our favor.  It took us forever to get to the Lake, but we made it.  We even had to get through some hairy creek crossings.  Anyways, WOW!  THis place is AMAZING!!!!  Words can’t explain.  Here are a bunch of photos.

After the hike, we camp at a new spot.  It’s right off the road near our trail head, but what a beautiful spot.  Even with the burnt trees, this place is awesome.  

Just when we thought this day couldn’t get any better, Camrin, on her way back from the bathroom, see’s a Mother moose and calf in a field near by.  She gets Laura and her camera and we sit up on a hill, from a safe distance, and watch them wander through the trees.

And then we meet a few yellow-bellied marmots, who are just the curiousest and cutest.  

The evening is spent sipping some creek cooled whiskey and watching the campfire.  What a day.  The beauty of this place and the enormity of the valley and peaks is amazing.  We learned weather can be unpredictable, but when the conditions are right it’s a great place to have an adventure.  

Next up, The Beartooth pass!  Thanks for reading our blog!