Expedition Montana 2018 with my Ford ranger

oldcelicaracer

Observer
So this year we made a trip across the state of Montana to the farthest North West Town and mountain peak which is ironically called Northwest Peak. We detoured on the way up to Whitefish and toward the Whitefish resort which is a good stop kind of touristy although had some fun attractions, lots of fun things in the area to go to Camping is a bit expensive though. After we left Whitefish we cut across a section of National Forest and got lost by the navigation of one guy in our group so then I took over and let Garmin figure out the route. We popped out of the forest just wet East of Libby refueled and started making our way up to the town of yak. by the time we got to the town of Libby we were already on day 3 so we found a campground just outside of the town of yaak it which was also a pay site but a very nice site. The next day we headed up to the Northwest Peak we found the peak took pictures hikes around fishing streams then drove further up the road to Hawkins Lake hey hung out ate lunch explored around little bit more. After visiting Hawkins like we decided to head back down Mountain then my buddy discovered that his Toyota Tacoma had blew a seal on his brake caliper. We got it to Camp and done some Campground repairs on the Tacoma to get it into Libby the next day. We stayed an extra night did some fishing outside of the campground at Pete Creek. The town of yaak is a very interesting town, they have about 200 people that live there they also raced out houses in the winter time it's a drive through town that is pretty much isolated during the winter time the force is extremely dense in absolutely gorgeous and is a must go to. After leaving yak we visited the yak Falls then drove down towards Libby to the Kootenai Falls. I highly recommend visiting the Kootenai Falls they are absolutely gorgeous and The Swinging Bridge is totally totally worth going across. we then camped a few nights outside of Sealy Swan Lake area and some primitive camping that up with some loggers and had a real fun couple nights. We then started heading down back towards Billings and we cut across to the east side of Canyon Ferry Lake and found a road that goes up and over the mountain range right there camped up there for a night and drove down into White Sulphur Springs Montana this is the last day of our trip by the time we got home we had about 1600 milez on this alone.
Fast forward a couple months we go on a 5-day trip into Wyoming on Labor Day, we did about 400 miles on this trip. The objective of the trip was to visit a ghost town that Amelia Earhart was going to build a home in before she disappeared. The name of the town is called Kirwin and is extremely gorgeous and totally worth going. it was an old silver mind and the last mine that was operated was operated in the early 40s the road going in in early spring has lots of water Crossings it's about 18 miles long and has some pretty rough spots with an old International Scout at the bottom of a ravine next to the road on one Hill Climb after we got to Kerwin we stayed for 2 days explored the area then drove out of Kerwin up to sunlight basin. We reach sunlight basin about noon on day 3 we drove about 20 mile up into the canyon with very tight spots and multiple water Crossings with lots of traffic. We camped we killed somebody's of booze cuz it was my birthday then packed up and headed up to a lake on the Beartooth pass called Fantan after this night we headed home and that's when the clutch fan on my Ranger decided to give up the ghost. We made it home about 5 that night.
 

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oldcelicaracer

Observer
We are on our return trip now , we hit the falls and camped over by seely lake for two days to recharge
 

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oldcelicaracer

Observer
On our way home I surprised the boys with two of their favorite things, trains and ice cream, it was 98 degrees when we got home so the ice cream was nice
 

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oldcelicaracer

Observer
Now to kirwin Wyoming on Labor Day
 

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oldcelicaracer

Observer
The town of kirwin with the whole family and some friends
 

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oldcelicaracer

Observer
Leaving kirwin to sunlight basin and then last night in fantan
 

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Ace Brown

Retired Ol’ Fart
We passed through Yaak several days ago. Too bad we didn’t stop. We planned to but not finding a campground nearby messed up our plans. We should have a trip report out soon.


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Ace Brown

Retired Ol’ Fart
There was one few miles west of yaak called Pete Creek ..was pretty sweet spot

We didn’t like camping so close to the road. We checked all the camping options but ended up going to Caribou CG, too far to go back to Yaak.


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oldcelicaracer

Observer
Pretty much right across the highway from Pete Creek was a f.s road with lots of primitive camping, so u can check it out next time through
 

Ace Brown

Retired Ol’ Fart
Pretty much right across the highway from Pete Creek was a f.s road with lots of primitive camping, so u can check it out next time through

Our leader was pretty much focused on campgrounds with toilets. When he planned this his wife and other women were going. We never did any boondock camping during this trip, though all of us are fine with it.


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GB_Willys_2014

Well-known member
Thanks, was my second time this year going there, early spring the water was half past my jeeps tires and had way more water crossings,it's definitely a good look at how they lived and worked back then.its a must see in my book
The bucket list keeps getting longer and longer.

:)
 

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