Sunday, September 4, 2011

Backpacking Bob Marshall Wilderness Area


The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex consist of  the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness areas. As a wilderness area no  motorized or mechanical equipment including bicycles are allowed.  That is to say travel is by foot, or horseback.  The area consist of about 2 million acres of land.  It is located in North West Montana and boarders Glacier National Park. Commonly called the “BOB” it is prime Grizzly Bear habitat and has one of the largest population of  Grizzly in the lower 48.

We parked our truck at the South Fork of the Teton trail head and shuttled around to Gibson Reservoir.  It is only 35 miles or so from Gibson to the Teton parking area via Headquarters Pass.  However we added an additional 30 mile loop by going West up Moose Creek Drainage, North along the "Wall" and back East down Rock Creek Drainage.  This was a physically demanding trip but I'd do it all over again.  Please click on pictures to expand.

Mountain Lion.  This picture is taken at the Choteau Montana Ranger Station.  This darn cat got after a trail crew and eventually had to be destroyed.  It is only about 18 months in age.  That being said I'd not want to tangle with one. 

Grizzly Bear.  After doing everything to try to keep it from being a danger to people in the wilderness area Fish and Game had to destroy this bear.

This Wolf was the son of the Alpha wolf of the Red Shale Wolf Pack.

Nancy and Gary review active fire locations in the "Bob" at the USFS Ranger station in Choteau Montana

Montana "Water Taxi"...Crossing Gibson Reservoir

Gary at one of the stock gates

Gary...We made it to the Bob Marshall!

Jack

Looking down at the North Fork of the Sun River

Gary crossing Arsenic Creek. One of several creek crossings. (Freezout Creek, Glenn Creek, and other unnamed creeks)

Our camp on the North Fork

Even Jack could catch Trout

Great Fishing

Packing  up 

The North Fork, looking north

Gary and looking back south along the North Fork

This is a picture of Gary making a location check.  We frequently used compass, map and GPS to make sure of our location.  Kind of "an ounce prevention..." thing. 

Way up the North Fork.  Getting ready to turn West and go over the ridge to Moose Creek. We should hit Moose Creek 1.5 miles West of the North Fork.

Lower Moose Creek, West of the North Fork.

Camp on Lower Moose Creek

Pumping Water....the locals said that they usually just drink all running water above the Beaver Dams. We opted to pump....didn't want that "Beaver Fever" 

Walking up moose creek drainage

Looking south about half way up the drainage

Looking back down Moose Creek Drainage...This was a demanding walk.
Camping on the upper part of Moose Creek

Jack's food bag

Gary's Food Bag

Jack with the wall in background...only about 4 miles !

Wall from just above our Moose Creek Camp

Gary with a good look at the wall
Unsure how I feel about this...but the forrest service didn't call and ask me anyway.

Still 2 miles to go
Looking back to the Southwest  

Ok. Now that is a wall

90 degrees and lots of snow on the ground


I thought that I could see some goats in this picture....but I guess I was wrong



That would be Moose Creek Ridge that we took half the morning crossing (far background)

"My Lake"

"My Lake"

Gary and his Deer, My Lake camp

Me at "My Lake" my stomach was making...
lksaet3qnj....sounds!

Nice little buck at My Lake


USFS Cabin at Rock Creek


Water Fall at Rock Creek Cabin



Closed landing field at Gates park



Gates Park and Weather Station


Pack Bridge at Gates Park over The North Fork of the Sun River


Lunch


Lower Part of trail going up Headquarters Creek. 









About 100 yards to go on our last hard pull


Headquarters Pass just ahead.  The wind was at least 40 mph.


Looking North of East


Gary at the top of Headquarters Pass


Multiple long switchbacks going down the East side of Headquarters


Waterfalls about half way down the East Side of Headquarters Creek Pass

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