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Tell me about vacationing in Montana. Don't want to waste time in the cities.
3/4/2012 2:38:38 PM
I'm pretty well set on taking a vacation this year, (which I don't do every year) and this time I want it to be out west,
in places and environments that this Floridian has never been to.
I'm thinking Montana, or another state in the region, and in mountainous but accessible areas. Big views, varied terrain, plenty of wildlife
to see, well away from any cities, but accessible by vehicle. Access via horseback, for some places,
would be fine, too, but I'm not yet a very experienced horseman.
I'd fully expect to go with a professional guide or experienced local who offers guided tours.
When: Any time from mid summer to early fall. I'd LIKE to be able to get out on horseback (rented or borrowed horse)
with a guide and work my way up mountain trails from the lowlands up to the snowline and beyond, in one trip, taking
more than one day. I think that would be an excellent experience for me.
Large bonus points if the trip covers areas that have abundant wild horses. Fascinating critters.
My idea of this vacation won't involve theme parks, tourist traps, or cookie-cutter guided tours meant
to last a few hours with large numbers of tourists. I would want a very individualized experience.
Give me some ideas and suggestions as to places to go and things to do that might be to my liking, if you care to do so.
CJ
in places and environments that this Floridian has never been to.
I'm thinking Montana, or another state in the region, and in mountainous but accessible areas. Big views, varied terrain, plenty of wildlife
to see, well away from any cities, but accessible by vehicle. Access via horseback, for some places,
would be fine, too, but I'm not yet a very experienced horseman.
I'd fully expect to go with a professional guide or experienced local who offers guided tours.
When: Any time from mid summer to early fall. I'd LIKE to be able to get out on horseback (rented or borrowed horse)
with a guide and work my way up mountain trails from the lowlands up to the snowline and beyond, in one trip, taking
more than one day. I think that would be an excellent experience for me.
Large bonus points if the trip covers areas that have abundant wild horses. Fascinating critters.
My idea of this vacation won't involve theme parks, tourist traps, or cookie-cutter guided tours meant
to last a few hours with large numbers of tourists. I would want a very individualized experience.
Give me some ideas and suggestions as to places to go and things to do that might be to my liking, if you care to do so.
CJ
3/4/2012 4:11:05 PM
There are no cities in Montana, at least not what you would think of a city.
If you want to go into the back-country by horse, you'd better get your reservations soon, as everything will be booked shortly, if not already.
The west side has all the mountains, but you better be in good shape, as the elevation will seriously impair those from the lowlands.
If you want to go into the back-country by horse, you'd better get your reservations soon, as everything will be booked shortly, if not already.
The west side has all the mountains, but you better be in good shape, as the elevation will seriously impair those from the lowlands.
3/4/2012 4:15:18 PM
Originally Posted By cmjohnson:
I'm pretty well set on taking a vacation this year, (which I don't do every year) and this time I want it to be out west,
in places and environments that this Floridian has never been to.
I'm thinking Montana, or another state in the region, and in mountainous but accessible areas. Big views, varied terrain, plenty of wildlife
to see, well away from any cities, but accessible by vehicle. Access via horseback, for some places,
would be fine, too, but I'm not yet a very experienced horseman.
I'd fully expect to go with a professional guide or experienced local who offers guided tours.
When: Any time from mid summer to early fall. I'd LIKE to be able to get out on horseback (rented or borrowed horse)
with a guide and work my way up mountain trails from the lowlands up to the snowline and beyond, in one trip, taking
more than one day. I think that would be an excellent experience for me.
Large bonus points if the trip covers areas that have abundant wild horses. Fascinating critters.
My idea of this vacation won't involve theme parks, tourist traps, or cookie-cutter guided tours meant
to last a few hours with large numbers of tourists. I would want a very individualized experience.
Give me some ideas and suggestions as to places to go and things to do that might be to my liking, if you care to do so.
CJ
I'm pretty well set on taking a vacation this year, (which I don't do every year) and this time I want it to be out west,
in places and environments that this Floridian has never been to.
I'm thinking Montana, or another state in the region, and in mountainous but accessible areas. Big views, varied terrain, plenty of wildlife
to see, well away from any cities, but accessible by vehicle. Access via horseback, for some places,
would be fine, too, but I'm not yet a very experienced horseman.
I'd fully expect to go with a professional guide or experienced local who offers guided tours.
When: Any time from mid summer to early fall. I'd LIKE to be able to get out on horseback (rented or borrowed horse)
with a guide and work my way up mountain trails from the lowlands up to the snowline and beyond, in one trip, taking
more than one day. I think that would be an excellent experience for me.
Large bonus points if the trip covers areas that have abundant wild horses. Fascinating critters.
My idea of this vacation won't involve theme parks, tourist traps, or cookie-cutter guided tours meant
to last a few hours with large numbers of tourists. I would want a very individualized experience.
Give me some ideas and suggestions as to places to go and things to do that might be to my liking, if you care to do so.
CJ
If you REALLY want a back country horse trip that 99% of the population will never see, there is only one answer IMHO. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Larger than the State of Massachusetts, no roads, only accessable on horse or foot, plenty of Outfitters to guide you in. The China Wall, White River Pass, Dannaher meadows, all places you will never forget.
If you want to experience more of Montana than in the back country so you can experience the various topographies that are in Montana, fly into Billings, rent a vehicle and visit, Custer Battlefield, Yellowstone Park, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Great Falls, Glacier National Park, Flathead Valley and finish your trip and fly out of Missoula.
Let me know if you have any questions.
A few pics to whet your appetite.
3/4/2012 7:03:43 PM
Yeah, you're just helping me to think I'm on the right track.
3/4/2012 7:44:14 PM
Just a suggestion. If you can try to visit Montana in the spring/ early summer. June or early July would be best. Everything is nice and green and there is usually no fires going on so its not smokey out.
3/4/2012 7:56:57 PM
Man that place is nice. I want to just drag up, and move there.
3/4/2012 8:06:26 PM
Originally Posted By pighelmet:
Man that place is nice. I want to just drag up, and move there.
Man that place is nice. I want to just drag up, and move there.
Everyone does, we have at least 2 "I'm moving to Montana" threads per week.
3/4/2012 10:42:52 PM
Let me add some fuel to the fire.
3/5/2012 12:08:45 AM
So many animals, and they look delicious! 
I'm trying to figure out the costs involved now. I easily found riding tours from 3 days to 8. I figure 3 or 4 would be plenty for a first timer.
I'd have a concern about protection from dangerous animals. If I went out in the mountains on an expedition, would I legally be able to
bring a rifle (or handgun) for self-protection if I'm not hunting?
CJ
I'm trying to figure out the costs involved now. I easily found riding tours from 3 days to 8. I figure 3 or 4 would be plenty for a first timer.
I'd have a concern about protection from dangerous animals. If I went out in the mountains on an expedition, would I legally be able to
bring a rifle (or handgun) for self-protection if I'm not hunting?
CJ
3/5/2012 12:21:26 AM
Originally Posted By cmjohnson:
So many animals, and they look delicious!
I'm trying to figure out the costs involved now. I easily found riding tours from 3 days to 8. I figure 3 or 4 would be plenty for a first timer.
I'd have a concern about protection from dangerous animals. If I went out in the mountains on an expedition, would I legally be able to
bring a rifle (or handgun) for self-protection if I'm not hunting?
CJ
So many animals, and they look delicious!
I'm trying to figure out the costs involved now. I easily found riding tours from 3 days to 8. I figure 3 or 4 would be plenty for a first timer.
I'd have a concern about protection from dangerous animals. If I went out in the mountains on an expedition, would I legally be able to
bring a rifle (or handgun) for self-protection if I'm not hunting?
CJ
Yes you can even carry concealed outside of city limits while in the field without a permit.
3/5/2012 1:07:56 PM
a handgun with a caliber bigger the .40 is what you want. A rifle won't do you much good at close range and a shotgun is a pain to pack.
Horses have a good sense of danger and will tell you when there's gonna be trouble. Sleeping close to the horses is the safest place to be at night.
Horses have a good sense of danger and will tell you when there's gonna be trouble. Sleeping close to the horses is the safest place to be at night.
3/5/2012 10:14:25 PM
In my opinion, the most fascinating untrampled part of Montana is the southwest corner, west of Dillon, east of Salmon ID. There is literally NOBODY out there ...... at least there wasn't back in '97.
If you've ever read Lonesome Dove and got to the part where Gus McCrea is trailing Blue Duck and Lorri out in the Llano Estacado in that inbetween time after the Commanche, Kiowa and the buffalo had been vacated but before the whitle settlers had come into the area, and Gus feels so rested just from the immensity of all the quietness and nothingness, and you want to feel what the character Gus McCrea was feeling .......... that is what southeast Montana is like.
3/5/2012 10:26:05 PM
Elope,
That photo of you skiing with a pack and gun, are you sheep hunting there? Great photo! Where exactly is that?
That photo of you skiing with a pack and gun, are you sheep hunting there? Great photo! Where exactly is that?
3/5/2012 10:49:08 PM
Originally Posted By sunnybean:
Elope,
That photo of you skiing with a pack and gun, are you sheep hunting there? Great photo! Where exactly is that?
Elope,
That photo of you skiing with a pack and gun, are you sheep hunting there? Great photo! Where exactly is that?
Bear hunting up the Northfork of the Flathead last memorial day weekend.
3/6/2012 12:10:22 PM
Sounds like you may want to vacation at a Dude Ranch of some sort...whether they are a working ranch, or not.
That would cover just about anything you have listed that you want to do.
Also, we really don't have cities in Wyoming and Montana, so you are safe there.
There are lots of Dude Ranches in Wyoming, including many near Yellowstone and Jackson Hole that would fit your bill.
That would cover just about anything you have listed that you want to do.
Also, we really don't have cities in Wyoming and Montana, so you are safe there.
There are lots of Dude Ranches in Wyoming, including many near Yellowstone and Jackson Hole that would fit your bill.
3/6/2012 2:04:56 PM
Turn your air-conditioner down as far as it goes (50 deg) and wear nothing but shorts and a t-shirt for a few weeks.
Then turn the heat up as far as it goes for a week, then back to cold, and repeat. That will get you acclimated to the Montana Summer weather.
Take only cold showers, and go to the bathroom in your back yard.
Don't shave, just trim the excess off, and wear two sets of clothes, alternating each day for a week before you wash them.
Go get a big bag of sunflower seeds (spitz) and always have cheek full, learn to spit the shells with sniper precision.
Make your girlfriend (wife) wear the most inappropriate clothing at all times, flip-flops are great for hiking.
These steps will make you fit right in up here with us hill-billy rednecks 'n such
*edit* rent a Dodge Neon when you get here, they have unbelievable off-road capability. I know, I've pulled a few out of places I thought only a Jeep could go
Then turn the heat up as far as it goes for a week, then back to cold, and repeat. That will get you acclimated to the Montana Summer weather.
Take only cold showers, and go to the bathroom in your back yard.
Don't shave, just trim the excess off, and wear two sets of clothes, alternating each day for a week before you wash them.
Go get a big bag of sunflower seeds (spitz) and always have cheek full, learn to spit the shells with sniper precision.
Make your girlfriend (wife) wear the most inappropriate clothing at all times, flip-flops are great for hiking.
These steps will make you fit right in up here with us hill-billy rednecks 'n such
*edit* rent a Dodge Neon when you get here, they have unbelievable off-road capability. I know, I've pulled a few out of places I thought only a Jeep could go
