Off-Trail Navigation in the Bitterroot
Starting at $900 per person
7 - 9 Travelers
Book by email [email protected]
The Selway-Bitterroot wilderness is one of America's best kept secrets. The terrain is rugged, glacially carved canyons magnificent, and very few people to have to share it with!
Get ready for some off-trail hiking to get up to higher lakes that sit below the massive peak ‘El Capitan'! It'll be a challenge, but you'll be glad you have a guide for the trip. Along the way, we'll discuss methods of backcountry travel and off-trail navigation. At the higher lakes, we'll spend a few hours relaxing and packrafting around on the lakes at our leisure! We will also explore the surrounding terrain around the lakes.
Trip Overview
Highlights:
- Backpack and camp 2 nights in the backcountry at beautiful Little Rock Creek Lake in the Bitterroot Mountains.
- Alpine Lake packrafting on some of the most beautiful and remote lakes you'll ever experience in your life.
- Stargaze at the Milky Way under some of the darkest nighttime skies in the US.
- Tintype Photography with Northland Studio
Activity Level:
Moderate/Challenging 4/5
Inclusions:
- Guiding Services
- Gear Rental
- All Backpacking and Camping reservations
- Camping Accommodations for two nights at the Little Smith Creek Ranch
- No transportation included. (PLEASE INQUIRE IF NEEDED)
Group Size: 5 - 9 people
Day 1 - July 24th
Meet the Crew, Prepare, and Set Off to Little Rock Creek Lake
4.5 mi, 2200 ft elevation gain
Morning:
Light breakfast provided by Bitterroot Backpacking. Shuttle from the ranch to the Little Rock Creek Trailhead at 9 am.
Day:
Backpack up to Little Rock Creek Lake. Arrive at approx. 3 pm. Take plenty of breaks along the way.
Evening:
Set up camp, have dinner, sit by the fire tended by your guide.
Day 2 - July 25th
Off-Trail Hike to Upper Lakes
3 mi, 1200 ft elevation gain
Morning/Day:
Have a quickish breakfast and leave camp by 10 am for a challenging, yet scenic off-trail hike to the upper lakes.
Note: We will leave our campsite setup and only carry necessities.
WARNING: Off-trail hiking can be difficult with uneven and steep terrain. We will be literally ‘bushwhacking’ for short periods of time.
At the upper lakes, spend the day packrafting, lounging by the lake, hiking around the lakes with your guide, eating yummy food, and appreciating the scenery around camp.
Afternoon/Evening:
Return to camp by 6 pm and relax for the rest of the day. Float and camp at Little Rock Creek Lake for Sunset. Eat delish backpacking food. Have a warm campfire.
Day 3 - July 26th
The Hike Back to the Trailhead
4.5 mi, 2200 ft of elevation loss and 700 ft of elevation gain
Morning/Day/Afternoon:
Very easy and calm morning by the lake. Float, eat a hearty breakfast and take in the solitude and beauty.
Evening:
Return to the luxurious facilities of the Little Smith Creek Ranch to wash up and prepare for a huge post-hike meal provided by Bitterroot Backpacking
Day 4 - July 27th (Bonus Day!)
Float The Bitterroot River
Day:
Join Luke and friends for an unofficial Bitterroot Backpacking float on the Bitterroot River.
Photos From Past Trips
Our view on Day 2, after the 3 mi off-trail journey. The unnamed upper lakes are a true sight to behold.
Our cozy campsite by Little Rock Creek Lake. Tent sites are generally spread out from each other, but it depends on the location. We usually have about 50 - 300 ft between tents but can bunch them closer together if needed.
Packrafting on a quiet and still mountain lake at dawn is one of the most beautiful things you will ever experience.
The weather is not always perfect due to the unpredictable nature of weather in the mountains. A forecast of partly cloudy skies could mean anywhere from nearly clear skies to rain/thunderstorms. Despite the weather, we do our best to prepare and keep comfortable!
Another shot of our little campsite with beautiful morning light! There are multiple campsite locations around the lake, all of which are first come first serve.
Alpacka Rafts built the very first modern packrafts in the early 2000s. We carry the Alpacka Scout, a 3.5 lb raft with e designed purpose of floating on alpine lakes.
Take in the full range of colorful alpine flowers! This trail features Scarlet (Indian) Paintbrush, Silver Lupine, Arnica, Penstemon (pictured), Various blooming trees and berries, and plenty of moss and lichen too!
Katja flew all the way from the UK for this trip! She loved the ultralight gear options and every beautiful sight the Little Rock Creek canyon had to offer.
Your guide, Luke, (on the right) with a client in Autumn 2022. You can see the needles on the Larch trees turning yellow behind us. They're one of the only Pine trees to do so!
At the end of June, there's still plenty of water streaming down the mountainside from the snowmelt, bringing tons of plants and wildflowers to life. The water is fresh, cold, and crisp!
F.A.Q.
How much hiking will we do each day?
5 - 7 mi / day! With one day of 0 hiking!
Do you provide the gear?
Rental gear + cost are included in every trip.
What should I pack?
Do you provide food or water?
Snacks and Backpacking meals are provided on this trip. Scroll down for more info about meals and snacks.
We also carry Sawyer water filters on every trip. It'll be the freshest, coldest water you've ever had!
Will we see wildlife?
We may see some wildlife, but encounters are not common. With that said, the Bitterroot is home to bears, elk, moose, wolves, mountain lions and pika as well as a plethora of other animals.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, please bring your dog assuming it loves hiking and can handle the planned hiking milage!
Are accommodations included?
Accommodation is included on the 23rd and 27th at the Little Smith Creek Ranch. You can check out our list of recommended accommodations here.
Is transportation included?
Transportation in a trail-modified 4Runner is available as an add-on during the booking process!
Check out our Ultralight Gear.
Some companies don't provide rental gear in trip pricing, but we do!
Our gear is ULTRALIGHT! Your full pack weight will be under 30 lbs!
We carry
the best backpacking meals.
Plan out and the gobble down meals by brands like Gastrognomeals and Wild Zora.
Digital Topo Maps and Virtual Trip Planning
Included with this trip:
- Access to digital topographical trail map on Caltopo.com
- Virtual trip planning meeting one month prior to trip on Google Meet.
Pricing
$900
Guiding Only, BYO food and Gear
$1000
Guiding + Food
$1100
Guiding + Food + Gear
50% down at time of booking, remaining 50% down 60 days from the start of the tour
Reviews
"Luke was very personable & knowledgeable. He provided thoughtful snacks & a yummy meals. He would give scientific names to the landscapes/ mountains, show the markings on the mountains from glaciers. The FLOATING was amazing, being on a beautiful body of water & surrounded by extreme beauty was amazing. I will definitely hike with Luke again!"
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Booked trips are fully refundable until 3 weeks before departure. A 50-100% deposit is required to reserve your spot. Full payment is required a month before the trip.
Weather
The weather can be incredibly difficult to predict for a mountainous environment like the one we’ll be visiting on this trip. We’ll plan for temperatures in the 50s - 70s during the day and 30s - 40s at night. This hike will be hosted rain or shine, but in the event of a thunderstorm, we will take shelter using the precautions outlined by Wilderness First Responder training the guide has received. In the very rare case of dangerous thunderstorms for multiple days, trips can be rebooked or a partial refund of up to 50% can be given.
Disclaimers
Condition Restraints
This tour is, in part, in remote areas. This adds to the adventure and opportunity to enjoy a true nature experience. However, due to the nature of the terrain, weather, road conditions, and other elements beyond our control, some elements of tours may have to be altered. Times of some activities may need to be changed or even cancelled due to the conditions. If an activity is cancelled it will be replaced with an alternative activity that is more appropriate for the conditions. Advance notice will be given for any changes where possible, although at times changes may be made whilst the tour is in progress.
Wildlife Encounters
On every trip, we love to see wildlife, but it is impossible to guarantee an encounter or sighting. With that said, wildlife is common in the Bitterroot National Forest and it is likely we will see or encounter something. A note on Grizzlies: Grizzly bears are very uncommon in the Bitterroot. The Bitterroot was once their habitat, but settlers and homesteaders drove them out of this area.
Terms and Conditions
Acceptance of Risk and Responsibility
Nature and adventure travel is by character, an activity that requires traveling in areas that are often remote and the terrain difficult. Whilst every precaution is taken to ensure the comfort and safety of guests, these trips inherently have have elements of risk. By taking part in this tour you acknowledge that there are inherent risks and that you are fully aware of the conditions of travel, accommodation and activities offered. You accept that Bitterroot Backpacking, its staff and sub-contractors cannot be held liable for any accident, illness or similar occurrence. You hereby accept all such risk and release the company from all claims and causes of action arising from any injuries or damages resulting from these inherent risks.
Authority on Trail
At all times, Bitterroot Backpacking's guide or its representative will be final authority on all matters likely to endanger the safety, well-being and enjoyment of the tour. Clients must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should the client fail to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on tour or, if in the company’s opinion, the client's behavior causes or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate that client’s tour without any liability on the company’s part.