Dearborn Backpack 8/19/2005

A solo backpack (unless you count one small dog) through the Scapegoat Wilderness.

I'd been thinking about this 3 day solo trip for about a year and finally got the guts to do it. A shiny new solo tent helped! I bought a Kelty - one of the cheaper ones, and let's say I got what I paid for.

Lots of bear sign, continental divide, elevation gain and stream crossings. The Landers Fork is great bear habitat! All of the hunters I talked to weren't kidding about what to expect in these parts. On the map we traveled 23 miles, but based on the heavy switchbacks and 7 hours walking on Saturday, I'd guess we did more like 25.

I ran into some Great Falls folks, Bruce and Sally. They were on a day hike from Heart Lake to Bighorn Lake, so I hiked with them for 1/2 hour or so. Other than that I didn't see a soul until the last day on the Dearborn. Jana and I had arranged to meet at a good swimming hole, and spent a good part of Sunday in the water and sun.

Lucky (the dog) was very good, and probably helped me make better time due to her steady pull on the leash. I think her favorite part was arriving at the Dearborn and splashing back and fourth across it a half-dozen times, followed by 5 minutes of rolling in the grass.