Still one of the most memorable backpacking trips I've taken. Straying off the beaten path (literally) is worth it as you said and the night sky is as breathtaking as the daytime vistas. I was lucky that our group saw almost nobody else for the week+ we were out there in early August, but I did unwittingly come face-to-face with a moose on the last leg of our trip. Thankfully, I was able to back away without incident
I like big meadow from Fire Tower. Its huge muddy creek runs through it. Sleep on the north granite knobs. Also from pass ridge out to spirit mountain or up lake chain ⛓️ 🤔 It overlooks Gorge and 👣 👣 trail from above.
I've done the Beaten Path twice. Well, ish. In August 2018 my buddy and I got rained out at Rainbow Lake and turned back. We also learned that for us staging a vehicle at the south end of the trail wasn't worth it. August 2019 we went back and went all the way to Fossil Lake, which is a bit over 50% of the trail, enjoying every step and every site. Then returned to East Rose Bud Trailhead. Six days in all. Since your trip there has been some serious storm damage to the trail. Future hikers and backpackers should check with the Rangers for that district before planning a thru hike.
Thx for sharing! I have a trip planned for September. Looking forward to getting off trail in the fossil lake area and exploring the fishing. Really enjoying all the stuff your putting out! The ridge walks especially!
The real beauty of this trail is that you can use it to get above the tree line and then go wherever you want on the plateau. You’d be unlucky to see more than 2 people in a week. Easy off trail hiking and very few navigational issues.
Caution: This area has a cluster of unexplained, never found missing persons. (see Missing 411 book). They are currently looking for Tatum Morrell, 23 year old female - found her campsite. She had a cell phone and a garmin satellite phone - yet she just simply vanished.
Do you remember if there are any camping spots around Duggan Lake? I’m heading there with some friends this summer and we plan to sleep in hammocks. Would this be possible at Duggan?
Camping around Duggan is limited because it's kind of in a steep bowl. I don't remember seeing any campsites there, and the small tree spots are right next to the trail. Might be best to camp around Twin Outlet Lakes or Dewey. There's plenty of spots at Dewey.
The tooth off 212. Way easier than this so you can do more. Like go up Barronette Peak from ice box canyon. Up ridge. You can walk right out the ridge from fire tower in hours. End up right in middle of it. From first curve up fire tower road you can walk out to big meadow day hike. Same. I am an in out guy. Or one night out. Did my 45 days camping with infantry. No thanks. Human pack mule. 😅😢😂
Some people do hike it on one day. It's about 26 miles so it would be a long day. That just depends on your average miles per hour. The average hiker goes 2-3 miles per hour.
Why would you ever recommend doing it “backwards”..? You just end up seeing more people anyway because you’re constantly passing everyone doing it the normal way.
Still one of the most memorable backpacking trips I've taken. Straying off the beaten path (literally) is worth it as you said and the night sky is as breathtaking as the daytime vistas. I was lucky that our group saw almost nobody else for the week+ we were out there in early August, but I did unwittingly come face-to-face with a moose on the last leg of our trip. Thankfully, I was able to back away without incident
Great recon.
My grandson is doing this hike in early August, beautiful!
I like big meadow from Fire Tower. Its huge muddy creek runs through it. Sleep on the north granite knobs.
Also from pass ridge out to spirit mountain or up lake chain ⛓️ 🤔
It overlooks Gorge and 👣 👣 trail from above.
I've done the Beaten Path twice. Well, ish. In August 2018 my buddy and I got rained out at Rainbow Lake and turned back. We also learned that for us staging a vehicle at the south end of the trail wasn't worth it. August 2019 we went back and went all the way to Fossil Lake, which is a bit over 50% of the trail, enjoying every step and every site. Then returned to East Rose Bud Trailhead. Six days in all. Since your trip there has been some serious storm damage to the trail. Future hikers and backpackers should check with the Rangers for that district before planning a thru hike.
This is great info. I'm heading out there in two months. Many thanks.
Wow beautiful place😍
Thx for sharing! I have a trip planned for September. Looking forward to getting off trail in the fossil lake area and exploring the fishing. Really enjoying all the stuff your putting out! The ridge walks especially!
Thanks! the off-trail stuff is endless up there on the plateau!
Great info! Adding this to my list of places to hike. Not crazy about lots of people but the views would be worth it. Thank you 😊
The real beauty of this trail is that you can use it to get above the tree line and then go wherever you want on the plateau. You’d be unlucky to see more than 2 people in a week. Easy off trail hiking and very few navigational issues.
Great stuff. Looks incredible. All trails shows this as point to point. But was your trip/hike out and back?
what sort of rigs did you guys set up for fly fishing? leeches?
Caution: This area has a cluster of unexplained, never found missing persons. (see Missing 411 book). They are currently looking for Tatum Morrell, 23 year old female - found her campsite. She had a cell phone and a garmin satellite phone - yet she just simply vanished.
Any thoughts on shuttle services for this hike? Great video btw! Super helpful!
I'm wondering the same, looking into planning a trip there
If anybody is going between August 10-15th, 2023, I would be interested in a Key Swap! Feel free to reply and we can exchange info!
Great Video! What route did you take to get up to Stepping Stone Lake and a knob where Glacier Peak was in sight?
From the plateau down to the Cooke City side, where was the best places to camp along those lakes?
There weren't a lot of good places to camp in that section. I think Ouzel lake would be your best bet though.
What resources are available to I find out whether or not this will be passable (snow) the first week of July this year?
Do you remember if there are any camping spots around Duggan Lake? I’m heading there with some friends this summer and we plan to sleep in hammocks. Would this be possible at Duggan?
Camping around Duggan is limited because it's kind of in a steep bowl. I don't remember seeing any campsites there, and the small tree spots are right next to the trail. Might be best to camp around Twin Outlet Lakes or Dewey. There's plenty of spots at Dewey.
@@WildernessMindset she was found covered up by a rockslide.😔
The tooth off 212. Way easier than this so you can do more.
Like go up Barronette Peak from ice box canyon.
Up ridge.
You can walk right out the ridge from fire tower in hours. End up right in middle of it. From first curve up fire tower road you can walk out to big meadow day hike. Same.
I am an in out guy. Or one night out. Did my 45 days camping with infantry. No thanks. Human pack mule. 😅😢😂
Did you see any horse packers on the trail?
I don't think we saw any on that hike, although I'm sure they are out there.
About how many hours does this hike take to be able to do it in one day?
Some people do hike it on one day. It's about 26 miles so it would be a long day. That just depends on your average miles per hour. The average hiker goes 2-3 miles per hour.
Why would you ever recommend doing it “backwards”..? You just end up seeing more people anyway because you’re constantly passing everyone doing it the normal way.