Rim Rock: It Rocks!

Early morning, the sun hasn’t yet found its way to our campsite. Get your cup of coffee, a quick breakfast. Backpacks are ready – rain gear, food, water, snacks… Load up – our destination is an hour away. Watch the morning try to claim the day, and fail somewhat – there’s a thick haze, the smoke of distant wildfires burning uncontained. It’s another bad fire year for Montana. Past cattle and hay fields, over an old wooden bridge, and into the Absaroka Wilderness to the East Rosebud Trailhead.The TLs pile out, don the packs, and off we go. This will be a long day – our destination is Rainbow Lake. Before its all over, we’ll have gained some 2,000 feet in elevation over a 7 mile trail that will follow creeks an cliffs, waterfalls, and plenty of mountain scenery. Bears? Maybe. We’re prepared, but hope not to encounter any.

Off we go. It’s a fun trail. There are no long obnoxious hauls up. Instead, it’s a little gain here, a little there. This will be mostly valley hiking, as we follow East Rosebud Creek, towards its source. As we climb ever upward, from valley to valley, we are rewarded with a lake to stop and enjoy. As we start off we can’t help but marvel at the peaks above, which have taken on the visage of something other dimensional, the smoke casting an utterly new picture of the mountain tops.

Off we go, keeping the creek to our right, south to our first stop – Elk Lake. We take a quick break, then on we go, listening to the water ever rushing to meet us – eagerly following its destined course, flowing in wild abandon, shouting its claim over the gorges we pass.

We’re several hours in, and now the trail sidles along a cliffside. Not overly high or sheer, but beware complacency. Over confidence can lead to fatal mistakes. The TLs take it in stride.  We have had to veer away from the water here, away from the narrow gorge cut by the creek. 

 Up and over and down into the second major valley, to Rimrock Lake. And what show the lake had in store! 

We meet Rimrock at its outflow. This is a narrow deep lake with water crystal clear. There is a bridge over the outflow, and even the Road Toad watch in awe as the water rushed below. 

 Neither Smoochy or I would want to venture into the water here. There would be no stopping. Out and down, tumbling over boulder and fallen trees, the roar of the water deafening. 

 No, here we were happy to have a real bridge to walk, a safe haven to enjoy the beauty of the lake, the power of the creek, and majesty of the surrounding peaks.

Ah, but there is yet another mile ahead. Continue along as the trail takes you above the the west side of Rimrock, and once again, follow East Rosebud Creek, now on our left. As before we walk through forest and open trail, ever in a narrow valley, ever conscious of the mountains surrounding us.  Off to the west, a water fall.   At last – Rainbow Lake. Much larger than Rimrock or Elk, this Lake begs further exploration. We lunch on boulders overlooking the water, marveling at the clarity, and as always, awed by the gifts nature has offered.

Me and Brother Smoochy chillin’ by the Rainbow Lake

Yes, seven miles in, now we must return!  Another 7 back.  The smoke has mostly cleared, swept away by the light breezes in the valleys.  The Indians say that mountains breathe, and we believe it.  Back to Rimrock, where we again marvel at the water’s power as it races under the bridge.  Back along the cliff side, working our way down.  It’s hot now, and we the TLs are already thinking about hot showers and happy hours. The valleys are once again of this world, the eeriness has vanished. 

Back at Elk Lake, it’s only another 3 miles.  We enjoy the waning afternoon, wishing our visit wasn’t drawing to a close, knowing that close it must.  

And so the day ends.  We’ll be leaving tomorrow for South Dakota.  Brother Smoochy and his TLs have a longer drive, and will leave much earlier in the morning.  We’ve had ourselves a grand good week, and will visit again another day.  

Up next:  Caves and buffaloes!

Beauty (no beast) and Rainbow Lakes

I have come to realize that collectively speaking, my TLs and and TL friends are somewhat directionally challenged.  Of course, trail markers, even an occasional sign at the numerous forks along the way might help a bit too.  But do we let such things discourage our hiking?  NO!  Chins up, and press on!

The trail to Becker Lake would be better named the Trail of Many Lakes.  It is not a long hike, only about 3.5 miles or so, but was quite a fun excursion.  First up is Island Lake – complete with an island (at least one!), though at ground level, with a very irregular shoreline, it wasn’t easy to decide what was what.  And then you reach an outflow.  Here the creek is wide and swift, with the stepping stones well under water.  Yep – this is a take-off-your-boots-and-go-wading type of crossing.   Knee deep, but luckily, not too slippery.  The water is clear and cold, and strong -so mind your step!  I could tell by the looks on their faces that the TLs all were feeling just a little smug about their successful crossing. They should know better. Ah well. 

On we went passing meadows, ponds, lakes and crossing creeks. 

No high mountain passes here, no great elevation gains – just relatively easy (though often wet) trails with the glorious colors of summer, set against a mountain backdrop – breezy at times, sunny – then cloudy, a spot of rain – and of course, everywhere you look there is something to catch your eye. 

 And then, a fork in the trail. Which way? Looking at the map is helpful – but not when trails appear on the ground that aren’t on the paper. Or when lakes seem to appear that aren’t of a size or interest to be noted on the map.  Yes, once again, we made a directional decision that took a wee bit off course, but no matter.  We still arrived at a lake, and it was a beauty, just not Becker Lake, rather, Beauty Lake.  And as is so often the case, it’s the journey as much as the destination that we savor!

Next up:  Rainbow Lake

 .