Winding its method from thick lodgepole forests to excessive alpine meadows, and down by means of plunging canyons to the sting of Montana ranch nation, the Overwhelmed Path is among the most iconic Montana trails exterior Glacier Nationwide Park.
Situated a stone’s by means of from Yellowstone within the Beartooth Mountains, the Overwhelmed Path is a point-to-point path operating from the Clark’s Fork Picnic Space exterior 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 extensive, well-traveled, and sometimes well-maintained.
Whereas sections can change into muddy from horse visitors, the path is often in nice form through 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 essentially 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 could 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 yr. Regardless of these challenges, the Overwhelmed Path is a gorgeous tour into some of the 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 Info
- Distance: ~27 miles
- Days Wanted: 2-3
- Sort of Path: Level to Level
- Elevation Achieve: ~3,500’
- Finest Time to Journey: Finish of June to mid-September
- Permits: No allow required
- Problem: Average
Highlights
- Alpine surroundings
- Properly maintained path
- Ample 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
- Quick season
- Afternoon thunderstorms
- Difficult automotive shuttle
Finest 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 keep a few of the final glaciers in Southwest Montana, it makes the alpine climbing season quick.
The perfect time to hike the Overwhelmed Path is often the tip of June by means of mid-September. Whereas the path doesn’t cross any steep passes, it does go as much as 10,000 toes. After the snow recedes, the path can change into very moist and muddy which often coincides with the primary important hatch of mosquitos. Mountain climbing later in the summertime ensures drier situations. The primary snow sometimes falls in September however the early fall could be the proper time to hike with cooler temperatures and fewer guests.
Problem of Path
At roughly 27 miles in size, the Overwhelmed Path is finest fitted to one to 2 nights. Whereas many ultra-distance fanatics do hike and run it in a day, a slower tempo might match others higher.
The path is often in good situation and is extensive and well-traveled. Going as much as an elevation of 10,000 toes, 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 internet lack of elevation ending decrease than the place you began. This makes for an excellent final day on the path that’s nearly fully downhill.
We think about 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 more difficult than trails in much less distant areas.
Climate Situations
At an altitude upwards of 10,000 toes, inclement climate is at all times a chance. In the summertime, intense afternoon thunderstorms construct to unleash downpours and hail storms. We advocate coming ready with strong rain gear and heat layers regardless of the time of yr. 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 giant animals like grizzly bears and moose. We advise climbing with bear spray and protecting all meals in a bear-proof container or hanging it at camp. Many campsites alongside the path include established bear dangle poles.
Lots of the larger altitude campsites additionally include mountain goats that can strategy (and eat) your meals if it’s not correctly saved. In addition 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 typically 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 essential to be ready in case of an emergency, particularly in a distant spot equivalent to this. Carry a primary assist equipment and a private locator beacon (PLB) and know find out how to use each. As in most backcountry emergencies, essentially the most dependable evacuation is a self-evacuation. It might take a very long time for assist to reach.
Planning Your Journey & The 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 any public transportation to both trailhead.
The city of Crimson 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 aren’t any permits wanted for this path. The Clarks Fork trailhead is positioned inside the Gardiner Ranger District and the East Rosebud finish is positioned inside the Beartooth Ranger District. Name both for path situations.
The Overwhelmed Path Route
The Overwhelmed Path is a point-to-point hike with trailheads on the Clarks Fork Picnic Space exterior 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 larger elevation. By beginning at that facet, you’ll be able to take pleasure in a internet downhill hike all the way 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 determine a automotive shuttle possibility properly upfront. Each trailheads are distant with no cell service, so planning forward is essential.
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 parking zone. The path winds by means of 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 following part reaches the very 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 straightforward with a lot of alternatives to discover the alpine. A myriad of lakes and creeks stuffed with cutthroat trout glitter round each nook of this stunning part. You might be allowed to camp round Fossil Lake, however fires should not permitted on this delicate alpine atmosphere.
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 method down. Some sections embrace unbelievable cabinets and path building because it meanders alongside ledges and cliffs above stunning waterfalls. Now under treeline, huckleberries and campsites are plentiful.
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 method by means of the canyon. After passing Rimrock Lake, the path descends by means of 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 elements requiring side-hilling by means of dense lodgepole forests and over boulders in spots to keep away from the river. At occasions, the simplest method is strolling down the river, water ranges allowing.
The ultimate few miles of the path cross by means of thick lodgepole forests of identically aged timber that grew after the 1996 Shepard Mountain fireplace. In scorching temperatures, this part could be uncovered to the solar, however shouldn’t be 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 Checklist
Be certain that to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t overlook one thing essential.
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 in depth analysis and hands-on testing by our crew of outside specialists.
BACKPACK
Conclusion
The Overwhelmed Path is a gorgeous path that passes by means of 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 inside the park. It is a nice path for somebody wanting to realize expertise in a distant setting whereas nonetheless being on a well-established path. Finest accomplished 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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