Beartooth Bliss: Day Hiking Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

The Trip

The Beartooth Mountains rise abruptly thousands of feet into the thin atmosphere from the rolling grassland hills of south-central Montana. These mountains have all the classic characteristics that draw us to their valleys and peaks: thick stands of pine, fir, and spruce, clear streams with quiet pools and roaring rapids, crashing waterfalls, vast alpine meadows speckled with a palette of vibrant wildflowers, and undisturbed solitude that refreshes all of us down deep inside. Slicing through this mountain range are glacial valleys that beckon hikers to explore their trails and beyond.

Join us as we hike these breathtaking valleys filled with waterfalls and alpine lakes. Midweek we will rest our feet and legs to rest our feet and legs to take a drive on a drive on what is often called the most beautiful drive in America – the Beartooth Highway. We should return by mid-afternoon to Red Lodge, which will leave us time to explore this quaint small town. Red Lodge and its surrounding area are rich in stories and characters of the past -- from Native Americans to miners to unique entrepreneurs. Our trails will follow the paths used by the Absaroka Tribe and we’ll talk about their long history living in these mountains.

When we are ready to turn in each night, we’ll retreat to a charming mountain resort. All participants will have a private room with a kitchenette that either faces the Beartooth Mountains or looks out to Rock Creek. Three catered dinners will be enjoyed at our resort where we’ll reflect on our day’s journey with the group, enjoy the satisfying feeling of outdoor exercise, and recall the spectacular views of each day.

John Muir once wrote, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” Come hike with us and share the renewal and joy that mountain wilderness hiking brings.

Day 1: Participants will be picked up at the Billings, MT airport in the afternoon and enjoy the view of the Beartooths rising from the southern horizon on our drive toward Red Lodge. We will have a welcoming dinner at our lodge this evening and have plenty of time for the group to get to know each other.

Day 2: Our first hike will take us past several waterfalls to Quinnebaugh Meadows with a spectacular view of Whitetail Peak. 9 9-mile round-trip with 900 feet of elevation gain.

Day 3: We will hike up a glacier-carved valley with the Lake Fork of Rock Creek always in view. The hike will end at Lost Lake, a beautiful alpine lake. 10 miles round-trip and 1,300 feet of elevation gain.

Day 4: Today, we will drive the beautiful Beartooth Highway, stopping at views and historical markers as well as taking a brief stroll on a 10,000-foot plateau with vast views of the mountain range.  The afternoon is open for exploring the historic town of Red Lodge with its book store, and quaint shops.  Or remain at the resort for a relaxing swim, or hot tub, book on your private balcony, or stroll around the grounds.

Day 5: Today’s hike will be to the lower and upper Basin Lakes.  The hike is 8 miles and 2100 feet in elevation gain.  We first reach the lower lake, filled with Lilly pads, and continue to the higher lake, filled with snowmelt from the surrounding glacial cirque.

Day 6: Our final hike is to Timberline Lakes.  The hike is 9 miles long and 2100 feet of elevation gain.  We begin walking through a fascinating burn area from the fire of 2008 and observe the rebirth of a forest.  Our terminus is another alpine lake sitting at the bottom of a gorgeous granite cirque.

Day 7: We’ll spend one last morning with the group at our inn as we enjoy a leisurely breakfast and say goodbye to our new hiking friends and companions. The trip leaders will drive everyone to the airport before noon.

Getting There

The starting and ending point for this trip will be the Billings, MT International Airport. The cost of transportation to and from the airport is included in the trip price. Billings is about 75 miles from Red Lodge. It is the sole responsibility of each participant to arrive at the starting point at the specified time. Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member. Because we will be hiking at relatively high elevations, you may want to consider arriving a day or two early to help you adjust to the altitude.

Accommodations and Food

Our mountain streamside resort features private rooms with kitchenettes. The lodge has a workout room, hot tub, and indoor heated pool. Breakfast will include a traditional continental breakfast as well as a hot buffet made for our group and served in our private dining room each morning. We will make a stop at the local grocery store on our first day for people to pick up their lunch items (money will be provided for this; lunch items are included in the trip price and will be paid for by the Sierra Club at checkout). You will then be able to keep your lunch items in your kitchenette and make your lunch each day. Three dinners will be eaten at the resort and are included in the trip cost. The three remaining dinners will be at local restaurants and are not included in the trip price. After returning from the day's hike and cleaning up, the leaders will drive participants into town where they are free to choose the restaurant of their choice.

Trip Difficulty

This is a moderate to moderately strenuous trip with round-trip trail mileage ranging from 7 to 12 miles and elevation gains of 900–1,600 feet. Elevations will range from 7,900 feet at several trailheads to 11,000 feet on the Beartooth Pass. Though the hikes after lunch will be mostly downhill, hikers will be most comfortable if they can do regular aerobic training and hiking at altitude before they come on the trip. By the time of the trip, you should be able to comfortably maintain an average hiking speed of 2–2.5 mph for six to eight hours – the keyword being comfortable.

Equipment and Clothing

About two months before the trip, you will be sent a list of required/recommended equipment and clothing. No special gear beyond what is usually needed for day hiking will be required. The most important piece of equipment for you to have is a pair of broken-in hiking boots or shoes. Weather in the Beartooth Mountains in August is usually warm days and cool nights. Daytime temperatures will likely be in the 70s to low 80s, while nighttime temperatures will cool to the 40s. Though August is usually dry you should be prepared for rain, and snow is possible any time of the year. Weather can be notoriously fickle, so it is best to have clothing that you can layer.

References

• The Beartooth Mountains Outdoor Recreation Map, Beartooth Publishing, Bozeman, MT.
• Hiking the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. A Falcon Guide. 

Conservation

The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is at the center of these mountains and draws people to its solitude. Created in 1978 after many years of effort on the part of Montana Senator Lee Metcalf, this wilderness lies along the northeast border of Yellowstone National Park and so is considered a part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Congress passed the 1964 Wilderness Act to preserve and protect certain lands “in their natural condition and secure for present and future generations the benefits of wilderness.” Wilderness was defined as “…an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” What is the role of wilderness today? What of the indigenous peoples who were historically connected to many of these lands? Are we loving wilderness to death? We will set aside time for a group discussion of this and other conservation issues that are of interest to the group.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and operates under permits obtained from Custer Gallatin National Forest.