A wrench within the works.Hilgard Peak (11,316 ft.), situated in a distant a part of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness close to the northwest nook of Yellowstone Park, is the very best peak in Montana exterior of the Beartooths. My good friend Spencer and I wished to hike in from the east through the Beaver Creek Path, camp close to Avalanche Lake, after which bush-whack over to climb it the following day. Nevertheless, when rangers on the Earthquake Lake Customer Heart informed us the highway to our trailhead was closed as a consequence of a hearth we determined to hike in from the Papoose Creek Trailhead west of Hilgard – a a lot much less widespread strategy. If I’d identified how troublesome it was going to be, I’d have backed out. The 18-mile trek, which included about 6,000 ft of elevation acquire (a lot of it off-trail), ranks as one of the crucial grueling adventures I’ve ever finished – nevertheless it was a GREAT expertise!
Second ideas.Our journey began on the Papoose Creek Trailhead 34 miles south of Ennis at 1:45 pm Tuesday (9/2/25)). After following the path for six.5 miles, we veered off and up a steep forested slope to the place the place we arrange camp. I felt okay on the path, however the final half mile up the steep slope with a 30-pound pack about killed me! We arrange our tents, explored the neighborhood, ate, and filtered water from the close by creek. As I laid in my tent that night time I contemplated how I used to be going to inform my younger good friend that in some unspecified time in the future alongside the way in which he must proceed onto the height by himself whereas I waited – I used to be that exhausted!
Mojo.Wednesday morning got here, and by 7 am we had been on our method. We left our tents and equipment (to be picked up on the way in which again), so our packs had been mild. It was an attractive morning and my legs didn’t really feel terrible, so I used to be considering I may in all probability make the steep 1-mile hike to the ridge earlier than tapping out. As we approached the ridge I grew to become more and more optimistic that I’d really have the ability to climb Hilgard. Then upon reaching the ridge, the mix of seeing how shut we had been to Hilgard and witnessing the fantastic thing about the basin beneath, together with Spencer’s contagious dedication – all gave me the vitality and confidence that I may attain the summit.
Two for one.Our stroll down the opposite aspect of the ridge and throughout the boulder-filled basin to the foot of Hilgard was crammed with anticipation. We knew there was some sketchy climbing awaiting us, but when others may do it so may we. We discovered the gully that we’d examine in journey studies and thoroughly ascended it, doing a little segments separately to keep away from having the lead climber tumbling rocks down on the follower. There have been a pair strikes that had been out of our consolation zone, however we made it! Our reward was half an hour of excellent summit time with a number of the finest views within the state (see hyperlink to photograph tour beneath). After we rigorously climbed down I used to be capable of cross a second journey off my bucket listing as effectively – swimming in a lake over 10,000 ft, albeit a brief, very chilly swim! (see video in photograph tour)
Residence stretch.At 12:30 pm we began strolling again to our campsite, and by 2:30 pm we had tents taken down and all the things packed up. The ultimate 7 miles from the campsite to the trailhead, which was an actual slog, took barely lower than 3 hours. By 7 pm we had been seated within the Bridger Brewing close to Three Forks, awaiting our burgers. No beer this time although. As drained as I used to be, I feared {that a} single beer would possibly put me in a coma.
FYIAlthough it doesn’t function excessive climbs like Hilgard, 100 Traditional Hikes: Montana by Douglas Lorain is likely one of the finest sources round for locating hikes and backpacking journeys throughout Montana.
Under: This map marks hikes which were featured on bigskywalker.com thus far, together with a number of in Glacier Park – Choose full display to increase, zoom in for extra element, or click on on a marker for a hyperlink to the publish.
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