Notes from the Field: Hidden Lakes, Montana

A quick overnight trip to a nearby lake chain offered opportunities for camaraderie with a friend and communion with nature.

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Last week, my friend Ed Johnson and I hiked up to The Hidden Lakes chain in Gallatin National Forest of Southwest Montana for a quick overnighter to enjoy the scenery and to test some gear for BPL. The trailhead is 6 miles off the main road, and the drive up offers beautiful scenery as you bounce along on a very bumpy and rocky road (really not recommend for vehicles with low clearance). The Hidden Lakes chain is an easy 3-mile, 1000 ft elevation-gain hike from the trailhead that crosses through a healthy alpine forest scattered with deadfall.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

Introduction
Photos
Equipment Notes
- Clothing, Shelter, and Sleep System
- Packing
- Footwear
- Cooking and Meals

# WORDS: 1350
# PHOTOS: 18

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Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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Oct 21, 2015 at 9:30 am #1333568

Ryan Jordan
Admin

@ryan
Locale: Central Rockies

Companion forum thread to: Notes from the Field: Hidden Lakes, Montana

Oct 21, 2015 at 2:20 pm #2233236

Tom B
BPL Member

@tmbebee1
Locale: Northern NY

Nice report. I am becoming a bigger fan of the overnight trips since they require so much less planning, so I like reading about others doing the same. One thing I noted was that you mentioned having to sew a couple of more tie down points in your top quilt. If you are talking about getting it tucked into your sides and around your shoulders, my Mid Atlantic Mountain Works top quilt has shot cord running in channels up the sides when pulled tighter, tuck the quilt in. Since that was one of the concerns I had with top quilts, thought I would mention it. Full disclosure it is my son that makes the quilts, but I think it is a good solution to the problem if that is what you are referring to. Tom

Oct 21, 2015 at 4:15 pm #2233255

Adam Klags
BPL Member

@klags
Locale: Northeast USA

Eric, its interesting that you point out the cold mornings/quick heat up. I always have the same issue. My friends tend to joke about my "wardrobe change" each morning just a short distance from camp or time after breakfast ;) It was nice to know some other people experience the same thing.

Oct 23, 2015 at 12:26 pm #2233631

Anonymous
Inactive

Yeah, it's amazing how fast you heat up. One moment you are cold and the next you feel like you are in a sauna.

Oct 23, 2015 at 12:28 pm #2233632

Anonymous
Inactive

Hmm. Thanks for the info. I'll look into those quilts and see if they give me any ideas!
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