Taking a pack trip into Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I grew up on the doorstep of The Bob along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front where I could look out my window and see it everyday, and while I had played in this wilderness on day hikes and rides, I’d never spent an extended amount of time in my backyard treasure. Which, let’s be honest, is kind of weird and really lame.

Montana's Rocky Mountain Front AKA the gateway to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front AKA the gateway to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

While several members of my immediate and extended family did horseback pack trips or hiking trips in the Bob Marshall pretty regularly, including my mama (who went in every summer with her family growing up), my grandpa (who made countless trips into The Bob, even during his later years in life) my big sister and both of my little brothers. And yet, my messy-haired blond self never went on any of those trips.

However, ALL of that changed this summer when I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of mine and spend a week in the heart of one of Montana’s most spectacular places—the Bob Marshall Wilderness. And in case you’re wondering how this dream of mine finally came true, it was because of my friend (who is also my cousin, because Montana is small and my family is big) Amy Mills. Amy and her husband Tucker own Mills Wilderness Adventures and they regularly take guests into The Bob and as luck would have it (and because they’re really nice and knew I had never gone on a pack trip), they invited me to join them for a trip this summer. Needless to say, I jumped at their invitation and on July 14 we headed into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to spend a blissful week in one of the most incredible places on earth.

On the first day of our trip, we met in Augusta and headed to the Benchmark Trailhead for a trip that was sure to be one of the best adventures of my life. We got to the trailhead where Tucker and his crew were waiting for us with pack strings and horses saddled and ready to go.

Morning light at Benchmark Trailhead.
Morning light at Benchmark Trailhead.

By 8 a.m. we were on the trail making our way to White River, our camp for the week. Today’s ride was 24-miles-long and would include cresting the Continental Divide at White River Pass. There was a moment on the ride where I looked back at the rest of the group and saw the mountains rising behind them and wondered if this is how early explorers felt when they set out to explore the West. That feeling was quickly replaced by one that is best described as surreal. Even though The Bob has always been my backyard and I’ve looked at its landscapes thousands of times, I almost couldn’t believe the beauty of it was real. Our views included open meadows, cliffside trails and terrain that was burnt during a forest fire in 2007.

Making our way through a landscape that was burnt in a 2007 forest fire.
This part of the ride (through an old forest fire burn) was hauntingly beautiful.
At our mid-morning break, the pack strings passed us. Those mules can MOVE.
At our mid-morning break, the pack strings passed us. Those mules can MOVE.
Amy and Hawk leading our group up the trail.
Amy and Hawk leading our group up the trail.
White Rive Pass: Elephant Ear to the left and Haystack Mountain (the start of the southern portion of the Chinese Wall) to the right.
White Rive Pass: Elephant Ear to the left and Haystack Mountain (the start of the southern portion of the Chinese Wall) to the right.
Janet, an avid horsewoman and perhaps one of the loveliest gals ever, checking out the view of the Flathead Alps from White River Pass.
Janet, an avid horsewoman and perhaps one of the loveliest gals ever, checking out the view of the Flathead Alps from White River Pass.
I loved seeing the rest of the guests loving my Montana so much.
Beth and Jeanine capturing a memory. I loved seeing the rest of the guests loving my Montana so much.
"Meet me in Montana, I want to see the mountains in your eyes."
“Meet me in Montana, I want to see the mountains in your eyes.”

After 8+ hours of riding, we arrived in White River and my feelings about camp may have been partially due to my incredible sore booty and achy legs, but it was so beautiful.

The view from camp at White River.
The view from camp at White River.

Day two of the trip was spent doing one thing and one thing only: resting our booties. We also wanted to give the horses a day off, since they were the ones who actually hauled our behinds the 24 miles in to camp. Also, I’d like to give a special thanks to my horse, Popeye. He carried me and my cameras into camp like it was no big deal.

Each night, the horses and mules were put out to pasture. And each morning, the wranglers would bring them back in.
Each night, the horses and mules were put out to pasture and each morning, the wranglers would bring them back to camp.
Crossing White River.
Crossing White River.
Bob finishing up his morning wrangle.
Bob finishing up his morning wrangle.

After a full day of rest, day three brought the moment of the trip I was most excited about. We were going to ride 12 miles from White River to one of the most stunning geological formations in the country: the Chinese Wall. A 22-mile-long rock escarpment, the Chinese Wall reaches heights of 1,000 feet and runs through much of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Standing here, on top of the wall and looking out over endless mountain ranges, is one of my most special memories.

The mountain ranges seem to go on forever.
The mountain ranges seem to go on forever.
Dream come true. Photo: Tommy Meyer
Dream come true. Photo: Tommy Meyer
Amy and Tucker, taking in the landscape.
Amy and Tucker, taking in the landscape.
Standing on top of the wall.
In addition to the cooking, planning, driving and leading guests in and out on horseback, Amy is also a great sport and moonlights as a model when I ask her. 🙂
I think this is what they call a #MontanaMoment.
I think this is what they call a #MontanaMoment.
Basically on top of the world. Photo: Tommy Meyer
Basically on top of the world. Photo: Tommy Meyer
White River from Haystack Mountain (the Chinese Wall).
White River from Haystack Mountain (the Chinese Wall).
Jumping for joy after spending time on top of the Chinese Wall.
Jumping for joy after spending time on top of the Chinese Wall.

And that my friends, is just the beginning. Can’t wait to share parts two and three with you soon!

xo,
TT

August 24, 2016

Related: Summer Fun

Comments

Pam
I have wanted to do this, for twelve years. My son took pack trips, into the Bob, it was my dream adventure. I guess I'm living vicariously, through your photos. Thank you, thank you.❤️
MJ Inman
I loved these photos. Have always wanted to do the trip but physically unable. God's country for sure. Thanks for the opportunity to see this beautiful country
paula kimbark
Would like times of the year you take the trips. Thank you ...
Dolores Pearson
While growing up in Montana my parents and other relatives every hunting season took the horses into the Bob Marshall wilderness area to bring us elk meat for our freezer. I appreciate this series of a summer trip . One summer I flew to Gt Falls and was able to look down into this area and excited I cold see the Chinese Wall. So many times before it had been hidden by smoke or clouds.
Carrie R Hardin
Thanks Tia. Did not know you were related to Amy. I am Tucker's cousin and was thrilled to read you blog on your pack trip to White River. I hope to someday make this trip. Almost did a year ago but a family emergency prevented it from happening. It is still on my bucket list for the future.
Jan Rach
These photos are incredible! We went in with Ray and Ron some years back and it was one of our most memorable experiences. Thank you for sharing!
Jan Johansen
Beautiful photos. I've done this twice - once to the Chinese Wall, but we were at the base. We were all artists and painted on the trips.
Tara Totten
Tank you so much for this!! I can't wait for more. When I was in high school I spent 2 months here for several summers here with the Duffy's and The Wilderness Connection. (That's who owned it before The Mills) my mom was a cook among other things and we would stay and tend to camp when everyone rode out to take guests out and bring more back. Absolutely the best summers of my life by far!!! Unfortunately we didn't have digital photography then. Makes me sound old... I'm only 35 . I do have a box of pictures. I have been to each and every place in your pictures. To have someone narrate and show pictures of the day by day is absolutely a big treat. Thank you so much and I'm looking forward to the next part.
Cheryl
moving to Whitefish NEXT YEAR! This is one of the first things I want to do!!!!
Gwynn
My Dad was a Ranger at Big Prairie from 1948 to 1951. During the summers My Mother , brother and I lived there. It was the experience of a lifetime.!!! Seeing your pictures was like a trip back in time. Thank you.

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