Backpacking below the smoke in MT 2011

[Chris] This is a trip I took with my cousin, Steven, in August 2011 to the Bob Marshall Wilderness and surrounding areas in Montana. Emily and I did a trip on the west side of "the Bob" in 2010 and Steven and I did another trip in MT in 2010 as well. I have not written about those trips yet as Emily and I are trying to work through our trips somewhat chronologically. In any case, I just got back a week ago so I thought I should write about this while it is fresh. It will be short and sweet.

As I wrapped up my last semester for my Masters program and geared up for my Doctoral program, I thought it would be a good time to get away for a bit- not to mention the added stresses of this last year and a half. Steven and I decided drive out to the Bob and do a little backpacking and fly fishing. We planned a loop that would take us past some of the more popular features of the Bob, namely the Chinese Wall.

After a full day of driving the day before, we set out from the Benchmark trailhead for 16 miles our first day on the dusty trail. Being the most heavily used trailhead in the wilderness area, the trails are well worn from people and pack horses and there are more people than most places in MT- which is still less than most places in, for example, CO or Yellowstone. But, these trails are also the best way to see the wall and do a loop we had time to finish in a week.

Near the end of our first day, we saw smoke rising from the other side of the continental divide, very near the pass we planned to come over on our way back. Given the quantity of smoke, the location, the wind direction, and our lack of additional information, we decided to abort the loop. We thought it would be better to change plans now, rather than in 30 or 40 miles when we got closer to the fire. Later on we learned that the fires were still a few miles away but that the strange winds were keeping the smoke dense and low until it rose over the mountains near us. Based on what we knew at the time though, it was probably a safe call- which our wives like to hear.

We still hiked along the Chinese Wall--a 20-mile, ribbon-like cliff that winds along the continental divide--and got some great pictures and views. With our new plan we were able to do a few side trips like the hike we took up to the Prairie Reef fire lookout. This trail was about 5 miles each way and about 4.000 feet of elevation gain from our camp on the river. It was steep, and hot, and long. But it was well worth the views, even if they were hazy from all the smoke.

The other days of our tip were spent backpacking, fly fishing, hiking, relaxing, and taking pictures. We packed pretty light and covered quite a few miles. We slept under the stars, heard elk for about an hour one morning, saw lots of black bear tracks, and did a lot of nothing. Steven does a lot of astrophotography and took this awesome time-lapse of the milky way from our camp site on the river one night. (Make sure you switch the video to HD for the best viewing.)

This adventure was a much needed break from everything. It was great. For more pictures, click here.