Summer 2026

A long-awaited rite of passage on Mount Cowen. Made up of remarkable geology, stunning lakes, and awe-inspiring views along with fascinating flora and fauna, the Cowen Massif is an otherworldly high-altitude haven.…

Floating on air above the Bozone. If you’re anywhere within Bozeman city limits on a clear summer morning and happen to glance up, you’ll likely spot a colorful blob drifting lazily along the Bridgers. Adjust your eyes,…

Reflections from the Crazies’ Story Trail: On climbing Mount Everest, from the first attempt to the closure of a family tragedy seven decades later. Two summers ago, many of our 1995 American Mount Everest Commemorative…

An angler’s overview of Bozeman’s backyard fishery. As far as local celebrities are concerned, the Gallatin River should rank number-one on every list. Used as the backdrop for several motion pictures and numerous…

A tale of two exertions on the Gallatin Crest Trail. Gallatin Crest, July 1935, Civilian Conservation Corps Trail Crew “Sarge is comin’!” Willy announces to the crew. Clark turns to the man next to him. “Keep your mouth…

Traveling light, fast, and free. Get your motor runnin’Head out on the highwayLookin’ for adventureAnd whatever comes our way —Steppenwolf In a blurred chiaroscuro of flashing chrome and muted leather, my riding partner…

Summertime fun in the Flathead. It's another summer in Big Sky Country—and those who've spent time here know exactly why Montana has been coined as such. Views seem to extend well beyond 360 degrees as the air & clouds…

The original Yellowstone Park gateway, from trappers to tourists. Steam rising from the ground. Roosevelt Arch. Giant, sloppy hamburgers. Elk napping on a church lawn. An adjacent religious cult. The gateway to the now-…

A hiker’s guide to local gemstones. When someone mentions hunting in Montana, what probably comes to mind is trekking through elk country in camouflage. But if you’re looking to add a little purpose to your next hike or…

Summertime solitude at Grayling Lake. Walking down the trail, in the pale light of a fingernail-clipping of a moon, I swatted the head-high spiderwebs weaving across my path. I’d forgotten my headlamp, again. My hands…

Living the climber’s life. There’s a specific kind of optimism that only exists between May and September, the kind that convinces you that sleeping in your car is a lifestyle choice, not a cry for help. Dirtbag Summer isn…

Snorkeling novelties on the Jefferson. A cloud of dust billows into the afternoon sun as we bump along the road to the access site. The truck rolls to a stop and the river slides into view, a silky blue carpet meandering…

The benefits of swimming in cold water. It’s a particularly warm morning, but you’ve already committed: you and a few friends are going for a hike. You hit the trail, loaded up with everything needed for a picnic at the…

Natural electrolytes to try this season. Walk into any outdoor-oriented store or scroll long enough online, and you’ll find yourself knee-deep in electrolyte options, each powder, packet, and neon-colored drink promising…

Sleeping under the night sky. For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me want to dream. —Vincent Van Gogh Cowboy camping gives a whole new meaning to sleeping outside. No nylon…

Bozeman’s airport as a microcosm of changing times. After a recent return from Texas with a new Lab puppy, I headed through the terminal looking for what is known euphemistically as a “Pet Service Center.” As one who…

Getting the most from outdoor apparel. Picture a few of your favorite garments. Are they your favorites because they’re sentimental? Or because they were expensive? Are they items you can’t be without when you’re…

Celebrating art and nature in Downtown Bozeman. Take a look around as you stroll down Main Street, your favorite trail, or on your daily commute: natural beauty abounds. Many local artists draw on natural muses, whether it…

All about the Montana Raptor Conservation Center. Standing at the front door of the Montana Raptor Conservation Center (MRCC), one might hear the doorbell already making a peep. But that’s no declarative chime; it’s the…

Outdoor Abby, Part 3. Bozeman is a notoriously tough place for romance. One reason is that folks are so dedicated to their outdoor passions, it leaves little room for love along the way. Naturally, people think it’s a…

Keeping canines safe while outdoors. If you live in Montana, you surely enjoy being outdoors with your dog—whether hiking, floating, hunting, or working in remote areas. And while these activities can be rewarding, they…

Dealing with aural a-holes on the trail. “Behind you. Excuse me. Hello? Can you hear me? I’m talking to you. Hey!” We’ve all been there. Approaching from the rear, trying to pass politely, we waste our words while they…

A new adventure rig for Bozeman’s rugged daily life. Tahoe, Yukon, Tacoma, Aspen, Santa Fe, Denali—what do all these locations have in common? They’re place names borrowed by the auto industry to make their vehicles sound…

Reasons to slow down this summer. There’s a subtle but persistent pressure that comes with a Montana summer. You feel it in the stacked weekends, the early alarms, the long drives, and in the sense that you should be out…

Edible plants of Montana. How many times have you been walking along a wooded trail when something bright, shiny, or colorful catches your eye? As you impulsively reach for it, your inner voice shouts a warning: Don’t eat…

Big-mountain summer prep. Recently a patient came in to talk about preparing for the Bridger Ridge Run and the Rut in Big Sky. He was already training hard—logging miles, climbing hills, and pushing his aerobic capacity—…

Avian family dynamics. For the birds of southwest Montana, summer has arrived with completed mating and nest-building behaviors. The chicks, eaglets, ducklings, etc. have hatched or will hatch very soon. The female osprey…

The new Mount Ellis bike park. The wheel: one of humankind’s most impactful inventions. The next being Lycra, at least according to road cyclists, skate skiers, and cosplaying fetishists. For others, though, real biking…

What to look for while sleeping under the stars. There’s a reason sensible Montanans always bring a jacket if they’re going to be out at night, even in summer: our largely semi-arid climate usually doesn’t have enough…

The benefits of beef and bison. Whether you’re an active outdoor enthusiast or a committed athlete training for the Ridge Run, you’re no doubt on the lookout for food sources that provide the biggest bang for your buck in…

The rundown on public access. For generations, recreation in Montana has operated on an unspoken agreement: respect the land and respect each other. But landowners who don’t mind sharing a road or parking area are being…

Inside “Distance Dogging,” the new sport that’s sticking its snout up southwest Montana. The next time you’re grinding your way up Mount Blackmore and get the feeling there’s a predator on your tail, you may find that…

Renewal and redemption at the Butte 100 bike race. Some years ago, my father lost his battle with lung cancer. He and I were very close, so after he died, I was dealing with quite a bit of depression. My days were filled…

A day to remember on Hyalite Reservoir. Locals recite a mantra about Montana weather forecasts: “Nine months of winter and three months of relatives.” Right on cue with this weather cliché, our nieces and nephews arrived…

Enantiodromia by Orion Kubat the days have finally caught their breath as the sun rests long in the blue skies over forests bluish in the distance. somewhere a river prescinds from its high-water mark, remnants of spring…

PFDs may not be the sexiest pieces of outdoor gear—they don’t turn heads or earn style points—but in the same way that knowledge can be sexy, so too can a capable, well-trained person, paired with the right tool, be a…

For those who want the best of the best, Yakima’s CBX Roof Box sits comfortably at the top. As the company’s premium cargo option, the CBX delivers all the functionality you’d expect while adding a level of design that…

For the fastest, most efficient movement, trail runners and speed-hikers want quick access to water, without the weight or bulk of a Nalgene—and that's exactly what HydraPak's new PackFlask offers. Fully collapsible, with a…

Saddleback Leather’s All-in-One Backpack ($379) is aptly named, being equally adept in the great outdoors and around town. Grab & go with the rigid top handle, then shoulder it for hands-free carry. With plenty of room…

It’s perfectly natural to let our dogs run free—that’s what they live for, after all. But sometimes, it’s just not possible. Either out of consideration for others, or for the safety of the dog, our canine companions need…

Nothing makes car-camping meal-prep better than a table—and nothing makes it worse than said table collapsing and sending your stuff into the dirt. Say goodbye to rickety work surfaces with the Pecos Outdoor Table ($700), a…

Scarpa shoes are right at home during just about every mountain activity, from scaling rock faces to charging down ski slopes. Somewhere in between lies technical alpine trail running, where you’ll also find Scarpa with…

Nothing kills a great mountain-bike ride like a flat tire. With CushCore, flats are pretty much a thing of the past. Their TRAIL tire inserts  fit between rim and tire, absorbing impacts, shock, and vibration so you can…

It wasn’t until the strap on my crossbody wallet had been tied in knots and the seams had been taped shut that I finally admitted it was time for an upgrade. That’s where the Dakine Renovation Crossbody ($51) came into my…

There's no shortage of trail shoes on the market, but what is in short supply is the same thing that's always hard to find: one shoe that does everything you want it to. After multiple models and extensive trial & error…

With hundreds of different fly patterns to choose from these days, it can be hard to know which is which. If you're like me, you've got dozens of different flies in your vest, but can only actually name the most common ones…

Patagonia's Nano-Air Ultralight Full-Zip Hoody might just be the creme de la creme of ultralight jackets for high-output activity. This coat has it all—it's featherlight, has comfortable stretch, and boasts breathable…

Some years ago while fishing the Beaverhead opener, an afternoon thunderstorm rolled in. The temperature plummeted 30 degrees in as many minutes. One by one, fishermen peeled off, seeking shelter. I managed to hold out for…

The Surge sneaker from Kuru takes me back to middle school, with its retro style and wide, chunky design. These days, I appreciate the shock-absorbing layers that cushion my step when I'm walking the dogs or running errands…

I'm hard on shoes, especially the ones I actually like. I guess that is how I show it. The Merrell ProMorph feels like the middle child. It gets less attention than it deserves, but quietly performs in just about any…

Old habits die hard, and dog food is no exception. Why else would people still feed crappy kibble to their furry best friends? Wolves—our dogs' direct forebears—do not eat processed, compressed pseudo-food nuggets with…

One burly pair of pants that can go from landscaping projects in the back yard, to carpentry work on the job site, to creeping through the elk woods, to beating brush in search of sharpies? Yes, please. Kuiu answered the…

My favorite hikes are typically fast and light—I want to carry the essentials without feeling weighed down. That's where the 14L Terravia Pack from Patagonia comes in. Storage is minimal but thoughtfully designed, with room…

Last fall, I borrowed a friend’s Watershed Mississippi Duffel for a float trip, and immediately knew it was just a matter of time ’til I had one of my own. This behemoth of a bag fits 111 liters of gear. That’s enough space…

Headlamps are in the same category as pocketknives and Nalgene bottles: you’ll never have the same for more than a year. Somehow, they disappear into thin air. Poof. Gone. On the bright side, it’s a chance to upgrade,…

Old-school aesthetics and contemporary clarity come together in the Vallon Daytripper —so if you're not into oversized shades or overly fashionable designs, these sunglasses are for you. They're definitely for me, because I…

Reviewing the color options for the Orvis Wide-Mouth Guide Net, I thought to myself, Who wouldn’t want that sick blue with the rainbow-trout pattern? To each their own with color, I guess, but this net is going to be the…

Who doesn't love a classic, time-tested product made better with modern materials? Such is the case with the Miir Camp Cup, a contemporary version of the steel campfire mug that many of us grew up with, and which can still…

We all know how quickly the weather can turn in southwest Montana, but carrying extra layers "just in case" isn't always ideal when you're trying to keep your pack light. That's where the Nano Puff Hoody from Patagonia…

Bozeman has no shortage of reasons to stay put. But when mud season rolls in, the travel bug gets harder to ignore. This spring, I ventured over to Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro and needed a solid duffel bag that would not…

Layering can be a hassle, but I'd still choose crumbled layers over staying indoors. Arc'teryx made that balance much easier with the Gamma MX Pant— a warm softshell pant made for mixed-weather conditions. They're…

For a lightweight hiker that can do it all, from quick jaunts through spring snow to mountain-climbing in the warmer months, the Corrie II from Kenetrek fits the bill. I needed a new boot for bowhunting, and the Corrie…

Good boardshorts are one of those things that are surprisingly tricky to find—especially for use here in southwest Montana. If you’re anything like me, you want something that is lightweight but burly enough to stand up to…

When the mid-winter blues set in, there's only one cure: head south. Just be sure to pack a good pair of flips along, lest your hyperborean feet remain pasty and sun-starved 'til spring. I recommend the Chaco Rapid Pro, a…

For decades, Elise Atchison has made an off-grid home outside Livingston her basecamp for a self-taught education in natural history. She uses her keen eye for animal sign—a snowy paw-print here, a clump of feathers there—…

In Roam: Wild Animals and the Race to Repair Our Fractured World (Patagonia Books, $32), Hillary Rosner explores wildlife corridors across the globe, revealing how animals move through increasingly fragmented landscapes.…

Video by Jamie Rankin