Planning a Trip

Planning a trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex?

Exploring new wild places by foot or by horse is an amazing way to reconnect with nature, see breathtaking sights, slow down and decompress. It’s also a challenge. Many first-time visitors are caught off guard at how different the Wilderness experience is than visiting, say, a National Park. Wilderness demands humility and the forgoing of convenience, and its essential to be prepared with the right gear and knowledge.

Here are some important steps to take as you prepare to head into the backcountry. Please keep in mind that this is just a starting point! Keep researching, and if it’s your first visit, try to go with someone who has Wilderness experience so they can show you the ropes.

1. Pick your route. Get a good map — this is ESSENTIAL — and check current trail conditions to see what’s been cleared so far this year. Always contact the Forest Service to confirm current trail conditions and with any questions on specific trails or campsites. See more tips on choosing your route below.

2. Pick your campsites. Make sure you’ll have access to water, and a flat spot to put your tent. You may need to reassess once you arrive if your site is surrounded by dead trees, the creek has dried up, or there’s nowhere to put a bear hang — so have some backups picked out!

3. Be bear prepared. The Bob provides great habitat for both grizzly and black bears. Review safe bear country practices before you go. Be prepared to hang your food at night and whenever you leave camp, and carry bear spray.

4. Know safe stream crossing techniques. Review your route to see if you’ll make any major stream or river crossings, and have a backup plan if the water is too high to cross safely. Don’t forget your water shoes – crossing barefoot is very strongly not recommended!

5. Know what to do with your waste. Bring a trowel to bury human waste — NO ONE likes to find toilet paper flowers in the woods. Carry out all of your garbage, including food waste. Click here and here for more information on properly disposing waste.

6. Break in your new hiking boots before you go. Blisters are the worst! Wear your boots on a few short hikes before a big trip. Pack a blister kit with band-aids, tape, moleskin, etc. that’s easily accessible in your pack to take care of hot spots early on.

7. Pack a GPS and a First-Aid kit — and know how to use it. Review basic backcountry First Aid treatments and bring a GPS device that can send an alert out in case there is an emergency and you need an evacuation.

8. Plan to filter your water. As tempting as a cold, clear mountain stream appears, it’s hard to say what may be laying upstream. And trust us, you do not want giardia. Bring a water filter to treat your water before you gulp it down.

9. Plan your meals. Overpacking food is one of the most common backpacking mistakes. Of course, you don’t want to have too little either. Do your research on nutrient-rich, lightweight foods and be realistic with how much you’re going to eat. Gastro Gnome is a great local Montana-based company making actually tasty dehydrated meals for the backcountry. RightOnTrek is another great local company who offer quality backpacking meals – or they can design a whole backcountry menu for you!

10. Share your itinerary. Tell someone where you’re going, and when you plan to be back. Don’t become the next 127 Hours.

11. Double check your gear. Make sure everything is in good working order before you open it up in the backcountry. If you’re missing something or just want to try out the newest ultralight backpacking gear, RightOnTrek also offers local camping and backpacking rentals with super simple pick-up and drop-off options.

12. Bring layers. The mountains can get very cold at night or at the summit, even in the middle of summer. Don’t overpack (especially if you’re backpacking), but make sure you have what you need to stay warm.

13. Leave No Trace. Or even better, leave it better than you found it. Review LNT principles and plan how you’ll implement them.

14. Know how to not get lost. Trail conditions can quickly change in The Bob, and knowing how to get back to the trail if you get off-course can save your life. Understand basic navigation skills and how to read topography lines on your map so you can find your location. Never leave the trail without an experienced backcountry navigator in your group.

Other FAQs and Things to Keep in Mind

How to Choose a Route

When deciding where to go, keep in mind your fitness level, seasonal trail conditions (large river crossings, snow on the passes, wildfires) and what kind of experience you are looking for. Perhaps you are new to backpacking and are looking to hike into a lake, set up camp for a few days and fish. Or perhaps you want to see as much as possible and travel many miles a day. A moderately fit person should be able to hike 5-9 miles a day carrying a 35-40 lb pack. An experienced and fit backpacker could cover 10-12 miles a day carrying a 35-40 lb pack. Backpacking through The Bob should be a challenging and rewarding experience, but knowing your abilities is crucial to not overextending yourself and causing injury and harm. Or just a really bad time. 

The Bob is unique in that it offers many different landscapes to enjoy. Straddling the Continental divide, you can experience dramatically different ecosystems. Are you looking for lush forest and mountain lakes? Look for routes on the west side of the Continental divide. Prefer more dramatic rocky landscape with sweeping vistas and rugged terrain? Stick to the East Side of the divide.  

A loop route, or one that begins and ends at the same trailhead is nice. The trailheads around The Bob are remote and hitchhiking or finding a shuttle back to your starting point is not practical.

Encountering Stock

It’s extremely common to run into horse and mule pack strings in The Bob. Between Forest Service crews, professional outfitters and families packing themselves in, this historic skill is alive and well in the Complex and it’s essential to know what to do when you run into horseback riders on the trail.

• Talk to the horseman or woman as soon as you see them. When the horse or mule hears their person talking, it will calm them and let them realize you aren't a threat.

• ALWAYS yield to horses and get off the trail. Try to get off on the downhill side. If you're up above the stock they can easily get spooked, and they usually run uphill if they do. If hiking in a group, try to get off all together in one spot. It’s always a good idea to ask the rider, “Where would you like us to get off the trail?” since they know their stock best and can point you in the right direction.

• Continue talking to the horses or mules as the entire string passes. The horse in the back may have no idea you're there, but again, by hearing voices it helps to calm them.

• If taking a break on the trail, don't leave packs in the trail. Try to keep all packs on one side of the trail, and all together. 

Fishing

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex is a robust and wonderful fishery. With Wild and Scenic rivers and high alpine lakes, a fisherman can find plenty to do when traveling in The Bob. A Montana fishing license is required for all anglers 12 and older.  You can get a license in person at many sporting good stores locally, or online on the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks website. Be sure to know all the regulations in place where you are planning to go. 

Snow

Snow covers most all of The Bob until mid-April at the earliest. Peak backpacking weather is June through October.

As the snow begins to melt in May, rivers become swollen with runoff. There are very few bridges in The Bob, so fording rivers is common and to be expected. Crossing creeks in May and June when they are running cold and fast can be dangerous. Look at your route and see if there are large rivers along it. Call the USFS Ranger District office of where you plan to go and ask them about the stream crossing conditions. Be familiar with creek crossing techniques. 

High mountain passes are typically snow free by July 4th. Any earlier than that, be prepared to travel on snow if your route travels up and over passes. 

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in The Bob, but, like you, they should be prepared and fit enough to travel long distances. Their food and treats will need to be stored in a bear safe manner with your food when in camp.

The Bob is used by many people traveling with horses and mules. If you come across a stock party, please put your dog on a leash and step off the trail as the party passes you. Horses and mules can easily be spooked by an excited pup. Keeping your dog under control and close to you will prevent accidents. Remember, mules are courageous critters who will defend the herd if feeling threatened. Many loose dogs have been charged and trampled by mules.

Additionally, it is important to keep your pup from chasing wildlife. Deer, elk and bears are the native wildlife here and we are traveling in their home. Be respectful and do not cause unnecessary stress on these wild animals. 

Recommended Packing List:

• RAIN JACKET AND PANTS!!!

• Tent

• Warm sleeping bag

• Sleeping pad

• Layers! Full set of long underwear, warm pants for evening, wool or fleece shirt/sweaters/jackets

• Hiking socks and camp/sleeping socks (one pair that you don’t hike in!)

• Underwear

• Warm mittens or gloves, warm hat

• Hiking boots with ankle support (not tennis shoes)

• Camp shoes/river sandals (keep handy for hike in as you will be crossing streams. No flip flops!)

• Kitchen kit: stove and gas, lighter, camping pot/pan, spoon/fork, bowl/plate (Tupperware or reusable bags work for meals and as a lunch box), & hot mug

• Bear hang kit (p-cord, stuff sack, carabiners) or bear-resistant food storage containers

• Water bottles/Camelback—at least 2 liters (3 recommended). Please don’t overlook this suggestion!

• Flashlight/headlamp