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  2. Hiking and Skiing in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
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Hilgard Basin Backpack 2005

In the summer of 2005, we had just moved to Montana, and were, in some ways, like kids in the proverbial candy store. While we had backpacked in Montana several times before moving, there were lots of new places to see. Hilgard Basin, in the Taylor-Hilgard Unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, sounded like a winner, so, even though it was bug season, we thought we would give it a try.
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  • Essentially, the hike is up the Sentinel Creek trail for most of its way towards Expedition Pass, at the crest of the Madison Range. This being July, thee were lots and lots of wildflowers.

    Essentially, the hike is up the Sentinel Creek trail for most of its way towards Expedition Pass, at the crest of the Madison Range. This being July, thee were lots and lots of wildflowers.

  • Roger hiking thru sunflowers and lupine.

    Roger hiking thru sunflowers and lupine.

  • Susie photographing all the Lupine.

    Susie photographing all the Lupine.

  • Its hard to go wrong with mountains and wilflowers.

    Its hard to go wrong with mountains and wilflowers.

  • Susie continuing on. It was nice to be able to climb thru some meadows in addition to forest.

    Susie continuing on. It was nice to be able to climb thru some meadows in addition to forest.

  • Paintbrush

    Paintbrush

  • More paintbrush and sunflowers.

    More paintbrush and sunflowers.

  • Eventually, as the climb continues, the valley opens up. It is a bit over 2700 feet of climbing from the trailhead to the saddle above Hilgard Basin. The hiking guide says you don't feel like you are climbing that much, but I respectfully disagree. Actually, we had carried an extra day's worth of foot in case would could not make it to the basin in one day.

    Eventually, as the climb continues, the valley opens up. It is a bit over 2700 feet of climbing from the trailhead to the saddle above Hilgard Basin. The hiking guide says you don't feel like you are climbing that much, but I respectfully disagree. Actually, we had carried an extra day's worth of foot in case would could not make it to the basin in one day.

  • We spotted this horseman going toward the saddle, but never saw him again.

    We spotted this horseman going toward the saddle, but never saw him again.

  • Roger approaching a trail junction. We will take a trail to the left and climb a saddle on the ridge and descend into Hilgard Basin.

    Roger approaching a trail junction. We will take a trail to the left and climb a saddle on the ridge and descend into Hilgard Basin.

  • Finally, after 5.5 hours of hiking, we are at the saddle. It is mostly downhill from here.

    Finally, after 5.5 hours of hiking, we are at the saddle. It is mostly downhill from here.

  • A nice view into Hilgard Basin.

    A nice view into Hilgard Basin.

  • A second view.

    A second view.

  • We left the trail after descending a bit, and found a nice spot to camp, with views out to the east.

    We left the trail after descending a bit, and found a nice spot to camp, with views out to the east.

  • It's 6 pm and so time for dinner. It's Friday night, so time for pizza. We'll make it a little frying pan.

    It's 6 pm and so time for dinner. It's Friday night, so time for pizza. We'll make it a little frying pan.

  • This is how we cook it.

    This is how we cook it.

  • Susie waiting patiently, which is tolerable when you are wearing a bug net. It is late July, in a lake basin, after all.

    Susie waiting patiently, which is tolerable when you are wearing a bug net. It is late July, in a lake basin, after all.

  • Pizza is done.

    Pizza is done.

  • Roger is a happy camper.

    Roger is a happy camper.

  • Susie is too.

    Susie is too.

  • The next morning, time to cook breakfast before we take a nice day hike thru the Basin.

    The next morning, time to cook breakfast before we take a nice day hike thru the Basin.

  • Ok, there are a few buys out this morning.

    Ok, there are a few buys out this morning.

  • It looks like the Bakepacker has cooked up a really nice, giant blueberry muffin.

    It looks like the Bakepacker has cooked up a really nice, giant blueberry muffin.

  • Roger rounding up things before we leave our campsite.

    Roger rounding up things before we leave our campsite.

  • Still trying to figure what this flower is. Ahh... now, thanks to Vickie Vannatta, for the comment that it is likely a Western Alp Lilly.

    Still trying to figure what this flower is. Ahh... now, thanks to Vickie Vannatta, for the comment that it is likely a Western Alp Lilly.

  • Bitterroot, the State Flower of Montana

    Bitterroot, the State Flower of Montana

  • Roger with Echo Peak in teh distance.

    Roger with Echo Peak in teh distance.

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