Escaping the Everyday

The celebration of one year of blogging continues! There’s no way I can capture everything we’ve done in just one week, so this time, I’m focusing on our hiking and trail running adventures. Next week, it’ll be all about the delicious food we’ve discovered along the way!

Hiking

We’ve done a ton of hiking in Montana, so let’s take a look at some of our favorites!

Bear Trap Canyon

Words can’t even begin to describe how beautiful this hike was. Hiking out here is a completely different experience. Back east, when someone says they hike a lot, it usually means they’re heading to places like the White Mountains. Out here, it feels more varied.

Bear Trap Canyon was a stunning hike along the river, with a mix of dirt paths and rocky scrambles. The full trail is about 15 miles out and back, but the great thing is you can go as far as you like and still get breathtaking views right from the start.

Mount Baldy

9 miles round trip | 4,300 feet elevation gain

Mount Baldy was a stunning but challenging hike! At the time, we were still getting the hang of hiking in Montana, which is quite a bit different from what we were used to in the White Mountains. We were learning things like which trails are safe for Cassie, when to bring our full day pack versus our lighter running packs, and all the little details that come with adjusting to a new hiking environment.

I remember just before we did this hike, an article came out about a woman who had been trail running up Baldy Peak with her dog when a mountain lion attacked. Heartbreakingly, the dog was never found. The attack was definitely unusual, but Jake and I immediately agreed there was no way we were bringing Cassie on that hike.

To our surprise, there were tons of dogs on the trail. As we got more comfortable with hiking out here, we realized Cassie was a lot safer than we initially thought. People talked about hiking in Montana like you are bound to see a bear, mountain lion, or rattlesnake on every trail. That has not been our experience, but it is still important to be prepared for anything.

Anyway, back to the hike. Below are the stats from the route we took. As part of the Bridger Ridge, Mount Baldy is a beautiful peak that stands just under 9,000 feet.

• Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
• Elevation gain: 4,275ft
• Miles: 9.25
• Pace: 31:24
• Trail Type: out & back

Mount Blackmore

What an extraordinary hike Mount Blackmore was! This mountain is especially popular among trail runners, thanks to its mostly smooth and steady terrain, at least until you get closer to the peak where the trail becomes a bit more rugged.

12.8 out and back | 10,154 ft elevation | total time: 4.5 hours

We saw one of the local running groups take on this hike as well. It was a challenging trek for me, so it was incredible to watch some of the locals running it with such ease.

On the other side of the mountain, we spotted a herd of mountain goats. I was really surprised by how large they were! Males can weigh around 260 pounds, while females range between 120 and 200 pounds. When I heard people talk about mountain goats, I didn’t fully realize just how big they actually are!

When we decided to hike our first 10,000-footer, we expected great views, but it far exceeded our expectations. The top was absolutely stunning, and even Cassie seemed to enjoy being on the peak. Our little girl isn’t scared of anything (except fast rivers); she tackles the peaks and narrow paths like a champ!

Lava Lake Trail

5.4 mile out and back trail | Elevation gain ~ 1,600 feet

Jake, my brother, Cassie, and I embarked on our first Montana backpacking trip. The photos we captured were beautiful, but they still don’t compare to experiencing the views with our own eyes.

I can’t wait to tell you all about it, so let’s dive in! It’s funny because I used to say all the time that I wouldn’t go backpacking, but here I am! We did two overnight hikes at Lava Lake and Pine Creek Lake.

Lava Lake Trail is an extremely popular route, especially on weekends, but it gets a lot of traffic during the week as well. Luckily, we went during the week to avoid the crowds and to ensure we’d have a good spot to set up camp. This trail is definitely a great first backpacking hike if you’re ever looking to try it out.

The trail features a gradual climb, nothing too strenuous, with a couple of river crossings. One of the crossings was a bit much for Cassie—she was too scared to do it on her own, so Jake had to carry her across. Cassie isn’t afraid of much, but she knows she’s not the best swimmer, so she gets nervous when crossing rivers with fast-moving or deep water.

We set out on the hike around 5 p.m. and reached the lake around 6:15, so it took us about an hour and 15 minutes to get to the campsite. This gave us a few hours to make dinner, explore, and just relax!

Cassie even got to swim since we brought her life jacket along!

We eventually settled in for the night, with Alex sleeping in his hammock while Jake, Cassie, and I shared our two-person tent. One thing that most people might not realize about backpacking is that it’s crucial to bring the right gear. It’s not as simple as just heading to Walmart and picking up a sleeping bag and a tent. There are so many factors to consider when buying your gear, like your backpack, sleeping pad, and tent.

It’s important to think about the size of each item because everything has to fit into your backpack. You need a sleeping bag that’s lightweight yet still keeps you warm in chilly conditions. Then there’s the sleeping pad, which helps retain body heat and offers a bit of comfort for those nights on the ground.

The weather in Montana is so different from what we’re used to. When we were hiking up to the lake, it was in the 80s, but by the time we woke up the next morning, it was probably in the low 40s. You could say it was a little chilly! Not only do you need the right camping gear, but you also have to make sure you have clothing that can handle those drastic temperature changes.

We used mini titanium stoves and an ignitor to boil water for things like instant coffee, freeze-dried meals, oats, and more. Jake and Alex tried a few different meals—some were a hit, and some were just okay. I stuck to peanut butter sandwiches and meal bars because I just can’t stomach those hiking meals.

Pine Creek Lake

10.4 mile out and back | 3,600 feet of elevation gain

The next day, we set out on our next hike! It was a strenuous and grueling trail, but the views were absolutely worth it. The first mile was fairly flat, leading to a really cool waterfall. After the waterfall, the trail steepens with plenty of switchbacks and some river crossings. The best part of this hike was the variety of terrain along the way. You’ll experience dirt paths, rock scrambles, switchbacks through the woods and on rocky terrain, and walking through tall grass.

When we finally reached the lake, we couldn’t believe our eyes! It looked like something straight out of a magazine—one of those places you dream of visiting.

Before we went to sleep for the night, we decided to watch the sunset above one of the lakes near our camp. I simply can’t get over how magnificent the views were.

Since Montana is known for its bears, we also made sure to bring a bear canister. This is a secure container where you can store your food, making sure bears can’t get into it. The canister needs to be placed about 250 feet away from your campsite to draw the bears away. The last thing we wanted was wildlife hanging around right outside our tent.

Even though the trip was fun and thrilling, it felt amazing to be back in our own beds that night! I was also so proud of how well Cassie did on the backpacking trip. She settled in well in the tent the second night, but I think the first night was a bit confusing for her since she had never slept in a tent before. She was all bundled up with her blanket and fleece to keep warm.

Trail Running

Jim Bridger Trail Run

What a thrill it was to run our first trail race! We participated in the 31st Annual Jim Bridger Race, which included both a 10-mile race and a 5k.

Proceeds from this event support the nonprofit Bridger Ski Foundation’s Nordic Pro Team. The team is coached by four-time Olympian Andy Newell and provides top skiers in the country with the support they need to pursue a professional ski career. Check out the link below if you want to learn more about the Bridger Ski Foundation and everything they have to offer!

It’s pretty awesome how a community can come together to support young adults in achieving their dreams!

Race days in Montana have a completely different vibe compared to the East Coast. The running community out here is just incredible!

For one, I’m used to not bringing anything with me to the race start line because I didn’t want to carry my belongings. I also couldn’t leave my stuff anywhere for fear it might get stolen. But when we got to the start, I noticed everyone was leaving their backpacks and bags at the start/finish line. People in the trail running community here are so trusting and respectful of one another.

Jake also mentioned how encouraging other runners were as he made his way up the steepest part of the trail. You get a bit of that at other races, but here it felt 100% genuine.

I usually get race day anxiety, but sitting by the start line, overlooking the sunrise and the mountain range, brought a sense of peace to me.

Trail Stats

5k Trail Run
3.15 miles with just under 500 feet of elevation gain.

10 miler Trail run
2,600 feet of elevation gain.

Both of these races were tough, especially the 10-miler with all the elevation gain! Jake mentioned that it’s not a race where you can take it easy. The trail can get pretty narrow, so it’s easier to just go with the flow of the other racers rather than stopping to let people pass. That’s one of the reasons he finished 8 minutes faster than his two-hour goal.

Triple Tree Trail

5.4 mile loop | 958 ft elevation

Triple Tree Trail was a beautiful trail to run in Bozeman. It’s a 5.4-mile loop that takes you through a field to the base of a small mountain. The trail was in great condition, offering different views along the way. It can get pretty narrow at times, and there were a decent number of bikers, which is something to keep in mind while running.

One thing Jake and I always try to do is find a trail we can both enjoy, even if we’re at different fitness and training levels. Jake ended up doing a 6-mile loop, while I did a 4-mile out-and-back.

Tune in for Next Week’s Post

Get ready to see some pictures of delicious food! I can’t wait to dive into this one. We’re heading to Chicago next weekend, so that will be another fun place to explore and review.