Winding its manner from thick lodgepole forests to excessive alpine meadows, and down by plunging canyons to the sting of Montana ranch nation, the Overwhelmed Path is among the most iconic Montana trails outdoors Glacier Nationwide Park.
Situated a stone’s by from Yellowstone within the Beartooth Mountains, the Overwhelmed Path is a point-to-point path working from the Clark’s Fork Picnic Space outdoors of Cooke Metropolis to the East Rosebud Trailhead in the neighborhood of Alpine.
Used as a jumping-off level for alpine adventures within the Absorka-Beartooth Wilderness, the Overwhelmed Path is a good way to shortly entry the excessive nation the world is understood for. The path is large, well-traveled, and sometimes well-maintained.
Whereas sections can develop into muddy from horse site visitors, the path is usually in nice form in the course of the summer time and early fall months. Huckleberries line the trail in season and it’s not unusual to see bears and moose alongside the way in which.
The Beartooth Mountains obtain probably the most snow of any mountain vary in Montana, that means that the season for this path is later than these present in lower-elevation ranges.
Mosquitos might be prolific within the spring and early summer time and it’s not unusual for it to snow within the excessive nation at any time of 12 months. Regardless of these challenges, the Overwhelmed Path is a stupendous tour into one of the crucial wild and distant corners of the Mountain West.
That is an superior journey and is among the dozens of backpacking journey guides we put collectively primarily based on our wilderness journeys.
Fast Details
- Distance: ~27 miles
- Days Wanted: 2-3
- Sort of Path: Level to Level
- Elevation Acquire: ~3,500’
- Greatest Time to Journey: Finish of June to mid-September
- Permits: No allow required
- Issue: Reasonable
Highlights
- Alpine surroundings
- Effectively maintained path
- Considerable lakes and waterfalls
- Alternatives to increase the journey
- Ample fishing alternatives
- Web elevation is downhill (southwest to northeast)
Lowlights
- Mosquitos
- Habituated mountain goats at sure campsites
- Brief season
- Afternoon thunderstorms
- Difficult automotive shuttle
Greatest Time to Hike
The close by city of Cooke Metropolis is the snowiest in Montana with a median snowfall of over 2 hundred inches. Whereas this helps preserve a few of the final glaciers in Southwest Montana, it makes the alpine mountain climbing season quick.
The perfect time to hike the Overwhelmed Path is usually the top of June by mid-September. Whereas the path doesn’t cross any steep passes, it does go as much as 10,000 ft. After the snow recedes, the path can develop into very moist and muddy which normally coincides with the primary vital hatch of mosquitos. Mountain climbing later in the summertime ensures drier circumstances. The primary snow sometimes falls in September however the early fall might be the proper time to hike with cooler temperatures and fewer guests.
Issue of Path
At roughly 27 miles in size, the Overwhelmed Path is finest fitted to one to 2 nights. Whereas many ultra-distance fans do hike and run it in a day, a slower tempo could match others higher.
The path is usually in good situation and is large and well-traveled. Going as much as an elevation of 10,000 ft, altitude could also be a consideration if you recognize that you’re prone.
Doing the path from the Clark’s Fork facet and ending on the East Rosebud facet signifies that it has a web lack of elevation ending decrease than the place you began. This makes for a terrific final day on the path that’s nearly fully downhill.
We contemplate this to be a reasonably difficult path. Whereas it’s all on a well-traveled path, its remoteness, chance for wildlife encounters, and altitude make it barely tougher than trails in much less distant places.
Climate Circumstances
At an altitude upwards of 10,000 ft, inclement climate is at all times a chance. In the summertime, intense afternoon thunderstorms construct to unleash downpours and hail storms. We suggest coming ready with stable rain gear and heat layers regardless of the time of 12 months. Know lightning protocol and be ready to squat out a storm if want be. Wildfires are additionally a consideration later in the summertime. Adhere to all burn bans and guidelines on campfires.
Wildlife
The Overwhelmed Path traverses a distant part of the Beartooth Mountains of Southwest Montana, making it a hall for big animals like grizzly bears and moose. We propose mountain climbing with bear spray and maintaining all meals in a bear-proof container or hanging it at camp. Many campsites alongside the path include established bear cling poles.
Lots of the greater altitude campsites additionally include mountain goats that may method (and eat) your meals if it’s not correctly saved. Additionally they hunt down human pee spots to lick up the salt (and by the way, additionally take pleasure in licking trekking pole grips). They’re usually docile but it surely’s finest to keep away from habituating these animals to people greater than they already are.
Terrain
The rolling terrain on a well-traveled path makes it appropriate for many hikers. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless vital to be ready in case of an emergency, particularly in a distant spot reminiscent of this. Carry a primary assist equipment and a private locator beacon (PLB) and know learn how to use each. As in most backcountry emergencies, probably the most dependable evacuation is a self-evacuation. It could take a very long time for assist to reach.
Planning Your Journey & The best way to Get There
The Overwhelmed Path is positioned in one of many extra distant corners of the nation. The closest giant airport is in Billings, MT (BIL) three hours from the beginning. Renting a automotive is sensible as there isn’t a public transportation to both trailhead.
The city of Pink Lodge is taken into account the bottom camp of a lot of the Beartooth Vary and has all of the facilities wanted for gearing up for a backcountry tour. There are not any permits wanted for this path. The Clarks Fork trailhead is positioned throughout the Gardiner Ranger District and the East Rosebud finish is positioned throughout the Beartooth Ranger District. Name both for path circumstances.
The Overwhelmed Path Route
The Overwhelmed Path is a point-to-point hike with trailheads on the Clarks Fork Picnic Space outdoors of Cooke Metropolis and the East Rosebud Trailhead close to Alpine. Whereas the East Rosebud facet has the extra dramatic surroundings, the Cooke Metropolis facet begins at a considerably greater elevation. By beginning at that facet, you may take pleasure in a web downhill hike right down to East Rosebud.
Distances between locations are immense in Montana and that is no exception – there’s a ninety-five-mile automotive shuttle over Beartooth Go and across the mountains. Many events discover somebody to commerce automotive keys with or work out a automotive shuttle choice effectively upfront. Each trailheads are distant with no cell service, so planning forward is vital.
Ranging from the Clark Fork Picnic Space, take the Russell Creek Path. It crosses the gorgeous Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River instantly after leaving the car parking zone. The path winds by the dense Lodgepole Pine forest for the following six miles. This part of path is frequented by horses, so count on it to be muddy. Huckleberries are plentiful alongside this part of the path. At about 8 miles round Ouzel Lake, the trail begins to open up with a superb campsite alongside the lake.
The subsequent part reaches the best level close to Fossil Lake. Right here you’re greeted with expansive views of the Beartooth Plateau and a few of the highest mountains within the state. The strolling right here is clean and simple with numerous alternatives to discover the alpine. A myriad of lakes and creeks crammed with cutthroat trout glitter round each nook of this lovely part. You might be allowed to camp round Fossil Lake, however fires aren’t permitted on this delicate alpine surroundings.
After passing Fossil Lake, you begin the lengthy downward journey following East Rosebud Creek because it tumbles and cascades out of the mountains. Lovely waterfalls and cascades line the path because it winds its manner down. Some sections embrace unimaginable cabinets and path building because it meanders alongside ledges and cliffs above lovely waterfalls. Now under treeline, huckleberries and campsites are ample.
Now on the East Rosebud Path, the Overwhelmed Path begins to alter in character. The path turns into rockier and the partitions of the canyon soar above because the creek carves its manner by the canyon. After passing Rimrock Lake, the path descends by the hovering granite partitions of the East Rosebud Canyon. This spectacular canyon was closely flooded in June 2022 (as was the remainder of the Yellowstone Area). After passing Elk Lake, the river has eroded the path in components requiring side-hilling by dense lodgepole forests and over boulders in spots to keep away from the river. At occasions, the best manner is strolling down the river, water ranges allowing.
The ultimate few miles of the path cross by thick lodgepole forests of identically aged timber that grew after the 1996 Shepard Mountain hearth. In scorching temperatures, this part might be uncovered to the solar, however is just not lengthy to go earlier than the trailhead at East Rosebud Lake. End your hike with a burger and beer down within the small city of Roscoe on the Grizzly Bar.
Backpacking Gear – What to Pack
Gear Record
Be sure that to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t overlook one thing vital.
Beneath you’ll discover our present favourite backpacking gear. If you wish to see extra choices, our curated gear guides are the results of a few years of intensive analysis and hands-on testing by our group of outside consultants.
BACKPACK
Conclusion
The Overwhelmed Path is a stupendous path that passes by a few of the most distant and rugged corners of the nation. Situated close to Yellowstone Nationwide Park, its quiet remoteness stands at odds with the crowds discovered throughout the park. This can be a nice path for somebody wanting to realize expertise in a distant setting whereas nonetheless being on a well-established path. Greatest completed mid-summer to early fall, the Overwhelmed Path delivers iconic Montana mountainscapes, plentiful swimming and fishing holes, and fantastic wilderness seclusion.
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