We started at the Bear Basin trailhead near Big Sky, and after about 4 miles of uphill hiking reached the Lee Metcalf Wilderness boundary:
Awesome views abound on this hike, including this look back towards the Madison Range where you can see The Sphinx in the distance:
After some more uphill climbing (it seemed it would never end) we topped out into Bear Basin. I'm taking a break on the trail here, in the distance is the pass we will go over (the low point in the ridge):
I was feeling pretty good despite the uphill climb, probably a result of all the weight-cutting from my pack which was only about 23 pounds. Andrew was less well-off, carrying probably 50+ pounds including a full fifth of Jameson's scotch. Pity the young fool.
I was feeling pretty good despite the uphill climb, probably a result of all the weight-cutting from my pack which was only about 23 pounds. Andrew was less well-off, carrying probably 50+ pounds including a full fifth of Jameson's scotch. Pity the young fool.After a long uphill slog we summitted the top of the pass, tired and several hours behind schedule...but still stoked. Seemed like a good time for me and Ghetto-C to throw down some gang signs ;)
But now we were running a little late and getting tired. The worst part is we still had about 4 miles to go and the other side of the pass was much steeper and covered in parts with snow. Part of it was practically a freaking goat trail! Here Chris and Andrew navigate a snow bank. Don't slip - it's a long slide down!
After a good bit more exertion and death defiance, we reached Summit Lake. At least it's all downhill from here:
The other side of Summit Lake was another bit of a pass which led down to the valley containing Thompson Lake, our destination. It was getting late (630pm) and we were tired. The quickest way down from the top was to glissade down the snow bank. Here Chris watches Andrew make the slide:
And finally on to our destination: Thompson Lake!
It was as we had imagined it would be: super scenic, good campsite, and good fishing. On Saturday morning I caught a 15" cutthroat on a chironomid dropper. He put up quite a fight on my 5-wt fly rod. Several other good cutts were caught and a lazy day fishing, resting, and having some scotch was had.
But now we were running a little late and getting tired. The worst part is we still had about 4 miles to go and the other side of the pass was much steeper and covered in parts with snow. Part of it was practically a freaking goat trail! Here Chris and Andrew navigate a snow bank. Don't slip - it's a long slide down!
After a good bit more exertion and death defiance, we reached Summit Lake. At least it's all downhill from here:
The other side of Summit Lake was another bit of a pass which led down to the valley containing Thompson Lake, our destination. It was getting late (630pm) and we were tired. The quickest way down from the top was to glissade down the snow bank. Here Chris watches Andrew make the slide:
And finally on to our destination: Thompson Lake!
It was as we had imagined it would be: super scenic, good campsite, and good fishing. On Saturday morning I caught a 15" cutthroat on a chironomid dropper. He put up quite a fight on my 5-wt fly rod. Several other good cutts were caught and a lazy day fishing, resting, and having some scotch was had.Eventually Sunday morning arrived and it was time to make the 9.5 mile hike back to the car. At least it would be more downhill than up this time, but it did start off with the up. First order of business was to get back up to Summit Lake. Since we couldn't climb up the steep snow bank we had to pick our way up the huge talus field. You can barely make out Chris and Andrew climbing up through the rocks below:
Eventually we reached Summit Lake and had a breather. Then it was time for the crazy ass goat trail back to the top of the pass to Bear Basin. It was insanely steep and probably not altogether un-dangerous. We dubbed it the Via Goatatta:
But finally we made the pass, which was a relief because it was all downhill from there. Here I am descending the Bear Basin side of the pass. At least it's a "real" trail:
One last look at Bear Basin and then the last 4 miles back to the car:
Eventually we reached Summit Lake and had a breather. Then it was time for the crazy ass goat trail back to the top of the pass to Bear Basin. It was insanely steep and probably not altogether un-dangerous. We dubbed it the Via Goatatta:
But finally we made the pass, which was a relief because it was all downhill from there. Here I am descending the Bear Basin side of the pass. At least it's a "real" trail:
One last look at Bear Basin and then the last 4 miles back to the car:
A good time was had by all! Although Andrew swears he'll never do anything like that again.
