Backpacking Montana's Bitterroot Mountains : Tamarack Lake & Larch Madness

This trip we went back to explore more of Chaffin Creek, a short trip from years prior. We spent the night at our favorite of the 3 lower lakes then a night cowboy camping up on massive granite slabs in a giant larch area. We also summited 2 smaller peaks.

[@grahamhallman243]

Folks, pay attention closely to NorthwestWanderer and his partner: there are only a few on KZbin that make such a compelling case as to why the American Rockies, especially, continue to grab my attention: such a geological diversity of landscapes with so many breathtaking backcountry Wilderness Areas - much tougher to explore. While it’s undeniable how elegant and majestic the Northern Rockies are from GNP to Mt. Robson, the Central, Southern n Colorado Plateau Rockies continue to impress me much more on a geologically diverse level where backcountry exploration is consistently at a higher altitude with much bigger horizontal scale and carving your own path is required. If you’re wondering what I mean here, explore the great subranges of Western Colorado and how these mountains bleed into the surreal landscapes of the Colorado Plateau and Utah. People tend to overlook that Arches NP, Canyonlands NP and Capitol Reef are actually surrounded and blended into island subranges of the Rockies. And of course, many more examples can be made here. While NWWanderer goes beyond the greater Rockies with adventures, the work being done here as well as other sections of Greater Yellowstone Ecoregion is sublime - see their awesome adventures in Beartooths, a fascinating, inverted granite range of Southern Montana -N. Wyoming border. And this Bitterroot’s Wilderness, yet another great example of an American Rockies’ subrange with breathtaking beauty. Keep ‘‘em coming.

[@stanleylogan7139]

Excellent video of unique and rugged wilderness. Stunning panorama from the peak.

[@relaxingvideosnorthwest3646]

Wow beautiful!

[@birddogfarms6981]

Sweet video, Andrew! You and Lacy really picked a good one. Enjoyed the views, appreciate your fine videography and editing skills. Thanks for posting. Tom

[@NorthwestWanderer]

thank you!

[@GAPTCHANNEL7]

*_Hello... when watching your video climbing the Bitterroot Mountains and being at the Montana Lake Tamarack & Larch Madness location, I felt like I was walking along in the video, maybe because I was so amazed by the natural panorama presented in the video... Nice to meet you, Rudy Outdoor Tutorial from Indonesia...._* 👣⛰⛰🏕💯👌👍👏🤝🙏

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

Well done!! Still haven't made it to this range. Almost bailed here two summers ago when Yellowstone had flooded but then almost at the last minute 90% of the park opened up. Hit the Winds first.

[@mountainwanderer]

WOW! Those time-lapses are amazing! Quite the views once you up high!

[@NorthwestWanderer]

thanks travis

[@aaronfulwider779]

Great late summer/early fall trip. The Bitterroots have become your home town range. I can see why. All those lakes, valleys, ridges, peaks, and larches. Endless possibilities.

[@NorthwestWanderer]

its also really close we can be at trailheads on the north end of the range in 15 minutes and the furthest south ones in 1hr 30 mins. Big range but very close.

[@aaronfulwider779]

Access is vital. Living close really helps cut down on the drive time. This means more time in the woods. @@NorthwestWanderer

[@markyoung3044]

wow beauitful

[@KDbbasm]

Really beautiful country....that's the kind of hiking to do; stunning unforgettable. Just a wee tidbit of info. In the Western US we call those trees Tamaracks whereas on the east coast they're called Larch. BUT, with immigrants and subsequent populations coming west its been blurred and it doesn't matter at all because they are the same tree. I'm born and raised in Washington and I just say Larch....I gave up trying to be a purist. Aren't they simply mind-blowing. On hwy 12 above Rimrock Lake is a rugged, long cliff edge easily 1500 ft tall from valley floor lined along the cliff edge is a thick strip of gold larch. Don't get me started on Aspen...so brilliant gold only the word "delicious" works.

[@NorthwestWanderer]

Thats a cool bit of information. Larch rolls off the tongue better than tamarack, the poor word never stood a chance.

[@bluebird521]

Great stuff again! Thank you both. But.... is it really a cowboy camp without....beer?

[@birddogfarms6981]

My younger self would say that but now that I am kinda old, I would say is it really cowboy camping without cowboy coffee?? 😏

[@NorthwestWanderer]

IF we didn't drink so much thursday night we would have hiked some up but our livers needed a vacation lol

[@bluebird521]

get it while you can.....pax@@NorthwestWanderer