Little did I know what I was getting us into! Jeff hasn't really hiked at all this year, and after going to bed a bit late and many beers later, the morning came a touch too early. But, our two new friends, Mac and Jacques (sp.?) showed up at 9:00, just as we had agreed. Off we went to park our truck, and Mac's car at the "M" trail in Bozeman. We all piled into Jacques' car and headed down the road. I couldn't tell you how far before we headed up a really awful dirt road, as I was hanging on for dear life in the back of the car. I want to say I've taken too many training classes on safety and that's why I was a bit worried about his driving, but maybe I'm just a control freak and just really don't like anyone else driving but me.
We started at the Ross Pass trail head. We could have added Sacajawea Peak in there, too, but didn't think we'd have enough time in the day, and, after all, eleven miles sounded like quite enough. The trail to Ross Pass was a good hike up and I was pretty stoked to be beginning this day. After Ross Pass the hike went straight up. Straight. Up. It was a pretty intensely steep portion of the trail. All I kept thinking is, once we're up there, it'll be a lot more gentle. Huh, that was not the case.
Although some of it was gentle, most of the time we'd get to the top of something and, looking ahead, could see we had to get to the top of something more. Looking at the elevation from the map, I really didn't think it was a big deal. But it was. The constant ups and downs were enough to get us a little concerned about getting through the entire day. When we finally got to the base of Saddle Peak (the highest) I could've sworn we were in Giza, about to climb straight up all three Pyramids! It was tough, and I think Jeff was feeling the lack of sleep, lack of hiking preparation, and lack of water the day before. But we finally made it! And looking on, saw more mountains to climb! I swear, as soon as I thought we were almost done, I realized we weren't even close. Getting back down Saddle Peak was another adventure. It was just as steep on the other side, and I definitely felt some kind of vertigo....or just a normal 'ol fear of heights.
We hit Bridger Peak, then Baldy Peak, and finally, finally started on our way down. Even though there were only three named peaks, I'm sure we hit quite a few more. Just more anonymous. The way down is a whole 'nother story! It was so steep! For whatever reason, my left knee did not care for this hike suddenly. It was in true pain the rest of the way, which I'm thinking was another three miles, or so. Which made me feel even worse for Jeff, as I know he has never had very good knees. At this point, I was mostly feeling guilt for dragging my husband on this, realizing it was probably too long for his first hike, and now it was getting a lot later in the day, and we had a three hour drive back to Missoula, because we both had to work bright and early the next day.
Since I did not do a wonderful amount of research on this hike, we also happened to run out of water these last few miles. Ugh, it's a miracle my husband even likes me at this point! Our "guide," Jacques, however, was probably feeling a little guilt as well, as I don't believe he realized it was going to be nearly this difficult a hike. So off he ran, down the mountain, to drive to the nearest store and have water waiting for us when we got down. Pretty sweet, really. But also, the both of them had run out of water as well.
So, in the end, it turned out to be 14.34 mile hike, with the lowest altitude at 4969 and the highest at 9171. It doesn't sound as grueling as it was when you just throw out the numbers, but just take my word for it. If you want a kick ass day in the mountains...and I mean, it'll be your ass that gets kicked, then this is the hike for you!
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| Ross Peak, the pass is just to the left. We went up there and then up, left of there to the ridge line. |
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| Looking back from Ross Pass |
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| Looking up to where we're going from Ross Pass |
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| The ridge line we're about to embark on. You can tell where Saddle Peak is....there's an obvious saddle at the top. |
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| Looking back from whence we came, thus far |
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| At my finger is the starting point, at the bottom TH is our ending point. |
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| Heading down to go back up to Saddle Peak |
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| Starting up Saddle Peak...see what I mean? Giza! |
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| Looking back, at the top of Saddle Peak |
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| Looking forward to what comes next from Saddle Peak |
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| Looking Back at Saddle Peak from Baldy Peak |
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| My hiking compadres...Jacques, Jeff, Mac |
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| Starting the long, steep trail down |
