Enjoy a day ride near Missoula or on the Rocky Mountain Front. For those who wish to go further afield, sign up for a packing trip with the premier outfitters for the Bob Marshall Wilderness with a biologist guide. Get in touch to arrange your custom safari on horseback.
Birding and BiologyPack Trips in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Aug 2020
Email with any questions or to book a spot.
Big River Country 23-31 August $3500 per person (7 days on the trail, plus two nights at the guest ranch, all inclusive)
This trip is a real gem as it’s remote and uncrowded during a really nice time of the season. You’ll explore the lesser-traveled headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Flathead, called Big River by the old-timers. Perfect for birding, stunning views, angling, and searching for quartz crystals. Last year we heard great horned owls, saw a black bear, and golden eagles accompanied a ride.
TrilobiteRange 1-8 August $3900 per person (8 days on the trail, plus two nights at the guest ranch, all inclusive)
Chinese Wall dates and price TBA
Packing up at the Chinese Wall camp
Both these trips take you to a more secluded part of the iconic Chinese Wall formation in the Bob Marshall wilderness.
The Trilobite trip goes even deeper into the backcountry. There are indeed Trilobites on Trilobite Peak, which we have a chance to climb on a layover day. This is the favourite trip of most wranglers because of the scenery.
There are some spectacular mountain passes on both these trips.
Campsite along the north fork of the sun superb for fishing, day rides, and birding
“To explore the mountains with Wenfei is to know everything about all the plants and animals you encounter . I spent a delightful week with Wenfei in the Bob Marshall and she is the most knowledgable outdoor person I have ever met .”
one of the mules bearing the 7 Lazy P brand
What you can expect
Every trip starts and ends at the 7 Lazy P, the most enlightened, eco-friendly, and conservation-minded outfitter you can find in the Rocky Mountains.
Their stock are exceptionally well-cared for and a pleasure to interact with. So are the talented and passionate crew, who will make sure you are comfortable, safe, and well-fed the backcountry.
Enjoy riding their beautiful horses, guzzling grass-fed beef from their ranch, and learning about the natural history of "The Bob" with a biologist.
View just before reaching the 7 lazy p guest ranch
Welcome day
Spend the night at the historic 7 Lazy P guest ranch. Enjoy a delicious homestyle meal in the lodge while getting to know the crew and other guests.
Looking back in the direction of the prairie after crossing route creek pass
Day 1
Meet your horse, watch the crew “manty up”, and set off on the trail. Enjoy spectacular scenery and wildflowers until we arrive at camp.
In the mornings, you often wake to the smell of campfire smoke and the sound of horse bells as the stock drift in after their night out grazing. There is always a delicious hot breakfast and oodles of camp coffee.
Camping at the base of the Chinese wall
Every evening, the stock are turned out for a well-deserved break
Days 2 -6 or 7
A combination of moving days and layover days at different camps.
Layover days are the perfect opportunity for a nature ramble, climb a peak, go fishing, or have a dip in the pristine rivers and lakes.
View of Sock Lake from the top of the Chinese wall
Lupins, penstamons and paintbrush on the way up to wrong ridge
On a nature hike towards Wapiti Ridge
There is ample time to relax around the campfire every evening. Your freshly prepared dinners may include wild chives and other plants gathered from around camp.
Wild chives to be harvested as salad dressing at the base of the Chinese Wall
Fly fishing in the North fork of the sun river
On moving days, we often ride over spectacular passes, at eye level with mountain goats and golden eagles. I will point out the birds we hear as we ride, tell you stories about them and identify wildflowers along the way.
Last day
Ride back east, for a well deserved hot shower and delicious dinner at the Lodge, featuring the Crary’s own grass-fed and ethically ranched beef.
“Wenfei was a great addition to our pack trip in the” Bob” in 2018. Her encyclopedic knowledge of both flora and fauna was astounding. (Especially birds- “Did you hear that?” says she. “ No.” says the hearing challenged old guy. “ Well, that was a (insert name of bird)” followed by a brief dissertation on the fascinating fowl. If I had a choice on my next pack trip, I’d take the one on which Wenfei is riding along. The memories of last summer’s trip still resonate strong and clear in my mind.”
