Angela's Adventures

Angela's Adventures: Camping

Posted: Sep 19, 2011 12:57 PM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News
Updated: Sep 19, 2011 4:16 PM

NEAR BIG TIMBER - The Crazy Mountains, located near Big Timber, are unique with their rugged terrain and majestic peaks.

Completely surrounded by private land, access to the Crazies is limited, but doable. From Big Timber head north on Highway 191 until you get to Wormser Loop Road, that will take you to Half-Moon Campground and trailhead.

And that's where this adventure begins.

When it comes to camping, there are a few different ways.

One option is "car camping." Grab everything you could possibly imagine and throw it into the back of your vehicle. Then, drive to a campground of your liking and pitch a tent near your car. S'mores are great for this kind of camping.

Another way is to throw all your gear, plus a tent, into your backpack. In this case, weight counts, so a minimalist perspective is beneficial. Once you have all the necesseties, throw on your pack and hit the trail.

Both are very fun ways to camp, but in this adventure... we're heading for the mountains.

From rivers and creeks winding their way through mountainside side to vertical peaks leading into a valley of calm glassy lakes, the natural beauty is breathtaking.

Because there is so much private land within the Crazies, the U.S. Forest Service advises backpackers to stay on designated trails to avoid trespassing.

When you're carrying a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, food, bear spray, and other necessities, all on your back, you're not going to want to add a lot of extra water weight to your load. So there are some options to consider.

A Steripen works by using an ultraviolet light to kill all the germs and bacteria that is often found in lake or river water. Swirl it around in your water bottle for about a minute and you can drink just about anything.

The old-fashioned method is boiling water. This method comes in handy when all else fails. (Like when your batteries are dead in your Steripen).

To help maintain the pristineness of Montana's great outdoors, many backpackers try to follow the concept of "leave no trace."

A few suggestions:
-Carry out everything you bring in.
-Use a stove instead of building a fire.
-If you do build a fire, use small dead and down material for fires.
-Bury human waste at least 200 feet from water sources.

Before heading out on your trip, it's important to check with the local ranger station to find out if there are regulations for where you are planning on camping. Often times there are, so it's a good idea to do a little research to avoid getting a fine.

Once you find your perfect campsite, set up the tent and take in all the beauty that surrounds you.

For more information on camping, visit recreation.gov.