Its great to see this route on SP. I have been wanting to do this for years. Are you aware of the old boundary trail? My buddy says that it is incredible and bypasses all of the bushwhacking.
distressbark - Feb 6, 2013 10:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: very nice
Funny you mention it, as I was just thinking of the boundary trail a few minutes ago. I had forgotten that a good buddy of mine also has had success taking the boundary clear cut. I'll be sure to update the route information, thanks for your help!
What a delight to stumble upon this great, and very comprehensive, posting on Mad Wolf Mountain. The photo used as the frontispiece brings back wonderful memories from a lifetime ago, when I was a “shepherd” for the Speer family, who ran a flock of sheep along the border with the national park.
I use the term “shepherd” quite loosely, since my only job was to let the sheep go from their snow-fence corral first thing in the morning, then bring them back in the afternoon. That left me with plenty of time to walk the surrounding area, including a number of “ascents” to the top of the mountain. It’s such an easy climb that I did it in old Wolverine work boots.
On one climb, at the end of the season, I took a topo map and binoculars with me, and marked the places below in the surrounding forest, creeks and beaver ponds where I could see cattle. This helped the local Blackfoot, whose range it was, in rounding up their stock prior to winter.
The post mentions the numerous trails leading to the foot of the mountain, and suggests that they are used by game. I can’t make any comment on the current situation, but back in the mid-1970s those trails were well-used by the cattle. I never saw any elk or deer in the months I lived there.
As for the sheep, they never ventured into the woods. They spent their days on the grassland that is in effect the start of the prairies. And for me, this is what makes this area so special. It sits right at the dividing line of the two great ecosystems that make up the American West.
Thank you for the kind comments and for sharing your unique experience you've had in the Mad Wolf area! I really enjoyed reading your comments and can't begin to imagine how amazing of an experience that was!
Really glad that you enjoyed the page. Good point about the "game trails." In several trips to the top of Mad Wolf (all originating from Cut Bank Campground), the only critters I ever saw on those well-worn trails were what appeared to be feral horses.
FlatheadNative - Feb 6, 2013 7:35 pm - Voted 10/10
very niceIts great to see this route on SP. I have been wanting to do this for years. Are you aware of the old boundary trail? My buddy says that it is incredible and bypasses all of the bushwhacking.
distressbark - Feb 6, 2013 10:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: very niceFunny you mention it, as I was just thinking of the boundary trail a few minutes ago. I had forgotten that a good buddy of mine also has had success taking the boundary clear cut. I'll be sure to update the route information, thanks for your help!
FlatheadNative - Feb 8, 2013 10:48 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: very niceNo problem. I am looking forward to a few climbs with you at Many!
Old Doc - Jun 6, 2021 4:09 pm - Hasn't voted
Brings back wonderful memoriesWhat a delight to stumble upon this great, and very comprehensive, posting on Mad Wolf Mountain. The photo used as the frontispiece brings back wonderful memories from a lifetime ago, when I was a “shepherd” for the Speer family, who ran a flock of sheep along the border with the national park.
I use the term “shepherd” quite loosely, since my only job was to let the sheep go from their snow-fence corral first thing in the morning, then bring them back in the afternoon. That left me with plenty of time to walk the surrounding area, including a number of “ascents” to the top of the mountain. It’s such an easy climb that I did it in old Wolverine work boots.
On one climb, at the end of the season, I took a topo map and binoculars with me, and marked the places below in the surrounding forest, creeks and beaver ponds where I could see cattle. This helped the local Blackfoot, whose range it was, in rounding up their stock prior to winter.
The post mentions the numerous trails leading to the foot of the mountain, and suggests that they are used by game. I can’t make any comment on the current situation, but back in the mid-1970s those trails were well-used by the cattle. I never saw any elk or deer in the months I lived there.
As for the sheep, they never ventured into the woods. They spent their days on the grassland that is in effect the start of the prairies. And for me, this is what makes this area so special. It sits right at the dividing line of the two great ecosystems that make up the American West.
distressbark - Jul 7, 2021 9:44 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Brings back wonderful memoriesThank you for the kind comments and for sharing your unique experience you've had in the Mad Wolf area! I really enjoyed reading your comments and can't begin to imagine how amazing of an experience that was!
Really glad that you enjoyed the page. Good point about the "game trails." In several trips to the top of Mad Wolf (all originating from Cut Bank Campground), the only critters I ever saw on those well-worn trails were what appeared to be feral horses.