Yellowstone/Wilderness Backcountry Trip

[kevshell]

My wife and I took my brother and nephew on a backcountry fly fishing trip into the Absoroka Wilderness last week. We rode 35+ miles total. It was 14 miles in and the same out. We had a great time and it was a great experience for my nephew at 11 years old. He only went on 2 basic trail rides before this and now he's ridden into territory most will never see. I took lots of photos but here's a sampling to give you a taste. I love being in a place where carrying is a way of life. That's why we are moving here.

[kevshell]

Here's scenery from the trip minus the people and animals.

[45MAN]

OPEN RANGE, GREAT

[bula]

Thank you for sharing with us. Very nice pics. 

[kevshell]

The more time I spend with working animals the kor I appreciate them. I spent my early years around hobby farms and 4 legged lawn mowers. I swore I'd never have anything to do with them until I got around these mountain horses and mules.

[bigbrowndog]

I know as an 11yo I would have been looking forward to that trip for weeks, and talking about it for months afterwards. A great memory you made there, hopefully you caught some fish too.

Trapr

[kevshell]

A few shots of our transportation.

[Big Bore]

Looks like an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[kevshell]

Bears are plentiful here. A woman was killed not long ago on the west side of the park. You really need to have "insurance" back there. My nephew had bear spray. But we had times when the wind was howling and beat spray would have been problematic depending on the direction of the wind, the bear and rest of the party. This Barranti cross draw rig is my favorite style of holster. Always there and always out of the way. My wife has a Glock 20 and my brother had a 480 Alaskan. Both guides had a S&W 44.

We passed hundreds of logs torn open by bears after insects. And look at how high those willow bushes are. They were above our heads at times while we were on the horse. All the signs were there, just no actual bear sightings.

And for a few of you who connect a few dots, yes I am the current curator for this 45. And I may be the last. I really like this one.

[kevshell]

A few from camp. The young man is going to be 16 this week and has more maturity than most 40 year olds. The camp mascot is on the woodpile. Morning coffee by the fire. And the drink dispenser - cold drinks in the creek or a drink from the creek.

[contender]

Beautiful.

Not only do you allow the horses & mules to transport you into the back country,, they can transport you back in time if you just feel it. Looks like y'all were feeling it!

[bigbore5]

I grew up using horses to move cattle and ride fences. Except it was Florida instead of out West. I still dream of going out West, but couldn't hogtie and drag the Missus out of NC, so I am stuck for now. But still trying.

[skeen]

Great pics! Hopefully you got to cast some flies in those streams. 😁

[45MAN]

MORE GREAT PICTURES

[bula]

I never got comfortable around large stock. They tend to know it ! The scenery does remind me of east slope Bob Marshall, slightly drier where you are.