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My buddy and I are flying into Belgrade the night of July 23rd. Our plan is to reach the West Fork of the Stillwater trailhead by the 24th or 25th, and start on a trek across the Beartooths. Our approximate route will take us up and over Lake Plateau, up the Stillwater and the Glacier Creek drainage, and then by Upper Aero Lake to Skytop Lakes. From the Skytop basin, we'll cross over to Lowary Lake and walk down to Lake at Falls, and ascend past Martin Lake to the pass near Elpestrine Lake. Over the pass, we'll make our way to the West Fork of Rock Creek, then head over Sundance Pass and exit at the Lake Fork trailhead.

Along the way we'll be bagging what peaks we can. Among those we're interested in are Wolf Mountain, Glacier Peak, Mount Villard, Granite Peak, Snowbank Mountain, Castle Rock Mountain, Point 12540, Castle Mountain, Whitetail Peak, and Beartooth Mountain. If anyone has recently summited or hiked near these peaks, I'd love to hear any reports of conditions. Fishing reports on nearby lakes are also welcome.

We're planning to hitchhike back to Belgrade from 212, but would like to avoid as much hitching as possible on the way in. If anyone happens to be headed out toward Columbus or Nye on the 24th, and you have room for two people and two packs, please let me know. We will happily split or cover gas and compensate you for your time.

Just FYI, the Glacier Creek drainage is some serious bushwacking: you'll encounter a lot of deadfall, steep boulder fields, etc. Very slow going.

nickhowes wrote:Just FYI, the Glacier Creek drainage is some serious bushwacking: you'll encounter a lot of deadfall, steep boulder fields, etc. Very slow going.

Thanks, Nick. We figure we're in for a number of good thrashings, but it's always nice to know where to anticipate one.

Point 12540 is rarely climbed... Enjoy that gem of a peak