Bob Walk 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"