Bob Marshall Wilderness Scapegoat Mountain

Doug and DeVeaux Wilderness Adventure 2023: Backpack Scapegoat Mountain Loop. September 11-15, 2023.

Mileage 36 miles from Gaia GPS app.

Backing packing in “The Bob” has been on my wish list for a long time. At over 1.5 million of wilderness, it’d take a lifetime of exploration to see it all. This trip was to see one of the marquee features: Scapegoat Mountain. A 1500’ wall that stretches about 2 miles long.

Biggest surprise were no trail markers other than beginning. Used combination of different maps in Gaia GPS to verify position and direction. Lots of up and down on a rugged trail.

We went through seven stream crossings, with 3 being deep/wide enough to use sandals. The water tastes so good!

Scenery majestic, especially the way the sun angle changes over the day revealing different colors and shadows.

Found a great campsite a short distance from a stream. Only sound is mix of brook, wind through the trees, and birds.

We discovered a beaver dam nearby. Wasn’t sure of their range, but clearly up here at 5900’.

Scapegoat Mountain and the escarpments on either side is majestic and awe inspiring. Shear cliffs rise up to meet the sky, with peak flanked by adjoining walls that form a “L” shape. We’re partially surrounded by this breathtaking beauty!

It’s not always easy finding campsites. We’ve only passed one designated site on the map, and isn’t ideal location. Today, took several tries to find a good site. Got one a small walk from water. The view was worth the search with another long vertical wall similar to Scapegoat. Coolest thing is waterfall emerging from cliff face and is source to our stream and water source!

I’ll look back at this day how I took on and completed such a challenge, especially at 59. Both physical and mental as need to focus on the downhill with end of day fatigue.

Feeling it in legs, glutes, and all connective tissues.

Light rain for about 30 seconds from a small lone cloud passing overhead. Clear blue skies surrounding it. Incredible!

Typical breakfast has been granola with oat milk and peanut butter powder. Lunches are powerboats, trail mix, and dried fruit. Freeze dried meals were tasty and we used both servings in a bag as not enough calories or volume if split. Definitely ran a calorie deficit throughout. We had some body fat to burn, so not a big deal. Hasn’t impacted energy level, so all good!

I awakened in middle of night and stood outside looking at the stars as cloudless crystal clear night with no visible moon. So many stars that it was hard to make out constellations. Could see the Milky Way band as well as shooting stars. Night sky has so much more when viewing from high altitude wilderness area.

For most of days two and three, we were in areas ravaged by forest fires years ago. Many of the dead trees are still standing and bleached white. We call them “ghost forests”. One area on day 3 hike we heard a haunting wailing sound from high wind blowing through a ghost forest grove. The mountain forest is crying!

Although some areas have small trees growing, we realized how long the recovery time is. All these fires have been extremely destructive and changes the ecosystem for many decades.

Unique experience this morning. Our day 3 campsite is at the high elevation east part of our loop. We got to see the sunrise through the trees! Rich deep orange progressing to brighter and lighting our spot. Also lit up the massive cliffs on either side of us. Quite the site to behold!

Had another clear night for stargazing. Although tent was in trees, had an unobstructed view straight up.

The water spilling over a series of rocks, logs and turns is therapeutic.

Final segment of the loop to complete our journey! About 5 miles to the trailhead starting with a climb out, then flat through some meadows. Final downhill to Smith Creek and a final uphill push to the finish.

Trip could not have gone better! Weather was excellent, food good, scenery incredible.

And most important, got to be with Doug having fun in our element!

We enjoyed the conversation, laughter and general craziness. Felt like a got a major ab workout from all the laughter! An incredibly memorable experience.