Lake Plateau area - southern Montana
This is a beautiful area. It borders Yellowstone National Park which is immediately south of this area. It is easier and quicker to get to than Yellowstone and possible to be in the backcountry the day after leaving Tomahawk. Both I-90 or I-94 can be used. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness has exceptional sights, great fishing, many lakes, mountains which are climbable, and great day trips.
There are several possible trails:
Lake Plateau area - this is the one we have done in the past
We enter a trailhead a mile south of Christikon Bible Camp and come out right at Christikon. This makes a great loop. It allows people who don't want to backpack and who want their own bed and bathroom to come on the trip and participate in activities at Christikon.
Rosebud Trailhead - two hours closer than the Lake Plateau
This area has two different trails both of which are one way trails:
The East to West Rosebud Trail is 13 miles. This is quite short and thus very doable for backpacking. But it has many dayhike possibilities, great fisting, and a possible spur trail to Island Lake.
The Beaten Path is 26 miles. This is a hard hike but has many, many lakes and great scenery.
There are several possible trails:
Lake Plateau area - this is the one we have done in the past
We enter a trailhead a mile south of Christikon Bible Camp and come out right at Christikon. This makes a great loop. It allows people who don't want to backpack and who want their own bed and bathroom to come on the trip and participate in activities at Christikon.
Rosebud Trailhead - two hours closer than the Lake Plateau
This area has two different trails both of which are one way trails:
The East to West Rosebud Trail is 13 miles. This is quite short and thus very doable for backpacking. But it has many dayhike possibilities, great fisting, and a possible spur trail to Island Lake.
The Beaten Path is 26 miles. This is a hard hike but has many, many lakes and great scenery.