Exuberance meets caution in the roiling snowmelt of southwest Montana.
The river was huge. Swollen and discolored from the previous night’s rainfall, it looked like a swirling sea of chocolate milk. As I stepped into the…
An ode to old bridges.
Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
To those unaccustomed to summertime in Montana, an old truss bridge might seem just that: old.…
Discovering a Montana treasure as a young man.
All these years later, it’s hard for me to imagine a time when sagebrush smelled exotic, but it did that morning—pungent, pure, and alien. I still remember the dissonance…
An aging mountain climber returns to Montana's highest peak.
There are three approaches to Montana’s highest point. None of them are short, none of them are easy. At 12,799 feet, Granite Peak is steep, stormy, and well-…
Teeing up a fun-filled multisport weekend in the Madison Valley.
Summer in Montana has a certain feeling. It’s the mix of rushing water, warm wind, and blowing grass. The purr of a bike wheel, the sound of fluttering…
Confronting grief in the Montana Wilderness.
Turning 20 in Yellowstone National Park felt like a rite of passage. It’s a treasured memory. Sitting on the edge of a creek, face caked in sweat and dirt, I felt satisfied—…
A recon mission into enemy territory.
“You’re doing what?” the bike tech at Owenhouse had asked, glancing at his watch. “Okay, well, sign the waiver and good luck.”
That’s how my brother acquired his rental bike, which we…
Reflecting on 25 years of pushing back.
Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s…
Young love on the rocks.
Dating in Bros-man can be difficult. Often, it feels like everyone who sparks your interest is either in a relationship, has a history with a friend or coworker, or is perpetually out of town. And…
History from Montana's highest peak.
During the Pleistocene epoch, a thick ice cap formed on a high plateau where the Beartooth Mountains are located today. Ice dispersed from a high point in three glaciers flowing in…
When it comes to stewardship, there's no time like the present.
For public servants, this year’s political events haven’t been the most confidence-inspiring in terms of job security. While many of the original hasty…
The best spots to drink and dine in Ennis.
Ennis may be small, but when it comes time to wet your whistle, this cowboy town punches well above its weight. Whether you’re looking for pizza with your pint or a rustic log…
Montana Alchemy
by Al Hyhart
You’re too much
in front of me,
I don’t have to reach.
Being here is easy—
everything always so,
no difference in what to know.
The sound
of your second syllable
makes me stand up straight.…
Living, breathing, and painting trout.
Few figures have the presence of Livingston-based artist Parks Reece. With a brush dipped in wit and a palette full of irreverence, Reece has carved out a niche all his own, blending…
A wild-animal encounter threatens a young relationship.
In Montana, where the land teems with big mammals that can gore, stomp, trample, and even eat those who trespass in their natural environment, knowing what to do…
An afternoon spent raptor-watching in the Gallatin Valley.
On a hot, sunny day in the Gallatin Valley, there’s more than just errant dust in the air. Also in the sky are raptors—a whole smattering of different species—and…
Finding motivation on the Bridger Ridge.
The slowest runners are already off. The 40th running of the Big Sky Wind Drinkers’ Bridger Ridge Run has begun. Lightning flashes, thunder booms. A cold rain begins to fall. Not…
A cast-and-run multisport at Williams’ Bridge FAS.
Here in Montana, we’re lucky to have a stream-access law that allows anglers to wade to their hearts’ content below the high-water mark, assuming they’ve accessed the…
A selection of Big Sky's best bike trails.
Come summer, Big Sky’s abundant bike trails make this happenin’ mountain town a nice spot to hang out for a day—or a whole weekend. The resort is famous for its gnarly downhill…
Building trail-ready roller skates.
As an avid rollerskater who seasonally relies on them as a mode of transportation, I’ve always found it challenging to take the skates off-road without ruining the wheels or getting…
How to identify different trees in southwest Montana.
“Learn character from trees, values from roots, and change from leaves.” —Tasneem Hameed
We Montanans are lucky. While lots of other folks peer out their windows at…
Surviving storms in the backcountry.
We’ve all heard the old adage: There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing. Having experienced and survived every type of weather that Montana can dish out, I can assure you, there is bad…
How intimately do you know southwest Montana’s fauna?
Most of us can recognize the faces of our region’s iconic animals—the long nose of a black bear, the big ears of a mule deer, the sharp canines of a wolf—but how…
Stream access from a landowner’s perspective.
The Gallatin River is a haven for Bozeman anglers. It’s close to town, has large numbers of trout, and can provide ample solitude, especially for those willing to hike up or…
How one man is changing the world of guiding.
Montana fishing guides are the best in the business. They’re renowned for their rowing skills, knowledge of trout behavior, and of course, ability to put fish in the boat. But…
When it comes to wildlife management, it matters who’s behind the proposals.
In Montana, it’s not just legislators meddling with our hunting and fishing heritage. It’s the lobbyists and their funders who should really…
Lassoing the summer sun.
Summertime… the season when the livin’ is easy, according to Clara in Porgy and Bess, who sang the famous song to her baby in the George Gershwin opera. I’ll grant her that the fish may be jumpin…
Gearing up for triathlon season.
Summer is here, and with it comes triathlon race season. If you’ve never done one before, fear not—triathlon training isn’t nearly as intimidating as it may seem. The most important thing…
A highlight reel from the 2025 state legislature.
If you paid the slightest bit of attention to this year’s legislative session, you know that Montana was faced with a few doozies. From threats of slashing conservation…
A bold new fundraiser for Yellowstone.
Your lungs burn and your eyes water as you sprint past swarms of onlookers screaming in terrified exhilaration. Barreling past storefronts and skidding around corners, you can almost…
How a casual trail run flipped in the blink of an eye.
Zipping my jacket to the chin stop, I stepped into the crisp morning air. Dawn skies promised eventual sun and a gorgeous day––perfect for a run up Sourdough.…
What trail is best for you?
Around these parts, we’re lucky to have an abundance of trails out our back doors, but the plethora of options can result in crippling indecision. Such is the double-edged sword of the freedom…
How local landmarks got their monikers.
Elephant Head Mountain
Tucked into the Absarokas near Livingston, Elephant Head earned its name for the obvious: from certain angles, its rocky layers of Bighorn dolomite look just…
Updates and information from around southwest Montana.
DIRT DEBUT
On the east side of the Bridgers, new mountain-bike trails are in the works. Crosscut Mountain Sports Center, in conjunction with Bridger Bowl and the…
The healing power of nature.
Summer is an exciting time in Bozeman—so much to do, so little time to pack it all in. At some point, we’ve all been guilty of denying our bodies the rest and recovery they need. To be frank,…
Everyone wants to leave a legacy in this world. Whether it’s volunteering to help the homeless, serving as a mentor to underprivileged youth, or inventing a novel water-filtration system that saves thousands of lives in…
A music-filled weekend in White Sulphur Springs.
What do women’s workwear, summertime, and White Sulphur Springs have in common? For those in the know, the answer is obvious. If you’re out of the loop, be sure to clear…
Recreation & theater mix with Shakespeare in the Parks.
If recreation be the food of love, play on! Our region’s majestic mountains make quite the backdrop for Shakespeare in the Parks. Between vibrant rivers and wild…
A weekend up north enjoying Montana’s state parks.
For all that southwest Montana has to offer, there is one thing that our corner of the state is severely lacking: lakes. Now don’t get me wrong, there are a good handful…
There are a million reasons to buy local, and when the product’s craftsmanship is better than anywhere else, there isn’t any reason not to. That’s why I use a Mad Cow 36” x 16” x 16” Dry Box. They’ve been making boxes right…
For years, I struggled to find the ideal trail running shoe—something lightweight, supportive, durable, and roomy enough for my feet to breathe. Then I found the Altra Timp 5’s. With a Vibram sole and sturdy build, these…
For an all-in-one pack to weather the storms of spring, check out the Seafield 30L Waterproof Backpack from Laek. This pack's got it all, so you can do it all, and keep it all dry while doing it.
The burly 600-denier…
A do-it-all hunting pack that sets a high bar.
For those who like to get off the beaten path, a comfortable, functional hunting pack is essential. Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different varieties and ended up with…
The Astral GreenJacket PFD is a top-tier choice for whitewater paddlers. Here are my thoughts after using it on several trips.
Comfort & FitThere’s a reason why the GreenJacket has been the gold-standard PFD for so…
At a recent edged-weapons seminar, I watched the instructor reveal, one after the other, the 12 knives he had hidden on his person. Boot knives, belt knives, pocket knives... he had 'em all. But the coolest one was the…
Through-hikers and light backpackers be warned: there’s a new pack in town, and it might have just raised the bar. That pack is the CS40 Ultra Backpack from Outdoor Vitals—a durable, minimalistic, lightweight bag with a…
A portable fan, you ask, incredulously, in Montana? Yep, and here's why. Although it never gets that hot, for that long, in an open campsite, a closed-in tent is another matter altogether. More importantly, a fan does far…
Everyone wants to run big rapids, but being wet after the fact sucks. Don’t get me wrong, I love charging big class IV’s as much as the next guy, but once the adrenaline wears off, you're just sitting around soaked and…
For the outdoor enthusiast, the benefit of a booming economy (there are costs, of course) is the constant improvement of recreational products. Case in point: the Exped DeepSleep 45° sleeping bag. It's a mummy bag, you…
All jokes aside, there is truly no point in having a dull knife. Beyond the obvious lack of utlitity and ensuing frustration, dull knives are more dangerous and harder to control. While most outdoorsmen can agree on the…
There’s nothing better than whipping up a huge mess of hot food after a day spent in the back country. In the same vein, there’s nothing worse than stumbling back to camp only to find that your camp stove wont light, stay…
While cotton may be “the fabric of our lives,” it’s not exactly ideal for long days in the backcountry or strenuous exercise. Sure, a long-sleeve cotton button-down can be nice for hot days on the river, but that's only…
Mountain weather is variable weather, so a solid long-sleeve is essential for evening and early-morning activities, even in mid-summer. You want something warm but lightweight, so it doesn't take up too much room in the…
There's no use denying it: I have a pack problem. One for every activity, and then a few extras—my gear closet overfloweth with backpacks. So why do I need the Kifaru Escape & Evade? Because it's a fantastic little…
It's a common occurrence in mountain towns: you buy a piece of outdoor clothing, intending to punish it out in the elements—but you immediately realize just how damn nice the thing is, how attractive it is, and thus how…
For anyone on edge venturing into bear country—especially solo campers—The ADS Bear Spray Holster & Sound Alarm can provide much-needed peace of mind. It looks like a normal holster, but drawing your bear spray triggers…
Come summer, I more or less live in a sun hoody, and this year it’ll be Sitka's Radiant Sun Hoody. The breathable, lightweight baselayer provides head-to-finger-tip coverage, complete with a neck guard and thumb sleeves.…
Inflatable mats are often one of the least reliable pieces of backcountry gear—they're loud, uncomfortable, and usually start leaking after a few uses. Breaking the trend, however, is the Nemo Tensor Trail Ultralight…
Whether indoors or outdoors, I always prioritize a good night of sleep. With Nemo's Disco Women's Endless Promise Sleeping Bag, I no longer have to compromise comfort when camping—whether it's car camping, backpacking, or…
Landscape photography and trail running are my two favorite summer endeavors, but I've always had a hard time combining the two (running with camera equipment is a disaster waiting to happen). Enter Peak Design's 25L…
Kenetrek’s lineup of hunting boots hasn’t changed much in years. After all, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. As a result, the brand’s classic, leather boots have gained a loyal following in Montana and beyond. Now, the local…
In Montana, you can kayak 12 months out of the year—but let’s be honest, you probably won’t want to. The water’s freezing, there’s ice in the eddies, and the thought of getting wet is scarier than anything the river might…
Designed for whatever the day might throw your way, the 24HR Satchel from FHF Gear is a durable, modular bag that can handle it all. For everyday use, the 17-liter capacity is plenty for a laptop, charging cords, a few…
I spend a lot of time on the water, and while I enjoy a good sun tan as much as the next guy, there comes a point where UV defense is a must. For me, Himali’s Eclipse Sun Hoodie checks all the boxes. It’s paper thin and…
The Bushido III from La Sportiva is the latest iteration of a trail shoe that’s been around for nearly a decade. You’ll see people wearing Bushidos at just about any trail race or casual 5k around town—and for good reason.…
Like many outdoor enthusiasts, I spend a fair amount of time sleeping outside—40-some nights, most years. But regardless of the associated activity—kayaking, skiing, hunting, drinking by a campfire—I'm never content in my…
It's never too early to start thinking about spring—in fact, when you're shivering in subzero temps, that might be the best time, as it improves one's attitude immensely. And when I think of spring, I think of rain: frigid…
Big shades may be all the rage, but if you've got a small head, they make you look goofy—hence, no net gain. Luckily, Costa has every skull size covered, and their Caballito ("pony" in Spanish; how apropos) fits my junior-…
Around here, we know how important it is to carry bear spray—and we also know how inadequate stock fabric holsters are, especially for anything but hiking. Several companies make aftermarket carriers, a few of them right…
More support, less support... which is it? From Hoka to Xero and back again, we never know what's best for our feet—if we believe the "experts," that is. All we know is that Hegel was right: the pendulum always swingeth.…
Between tents, mattress pads, campfire chairs, and the heap of other gear needed for a camping trip, packing for a weekend in the mountains can be a real car-full. For years, Crazy Creeks have provided a compact, cushioned…
William Webster’s fast-paced debut novel, Rockets’ Red Glare (Blackstone Publishing, $28) opens with a bang—the gruesome deaths of two wilderness guides on an expedition into the Wind River Mountains. Suspicions begin to…
Hiking and our national parks go together like PB & J, but sometimes it can be difficult to know where to go if you’re looking to get off the beaten path. Thankfully, Ted Alvarez’s Hiking Hidden Gems in America’s…
It may seem strange, taking advice about axes and wood-chopping from a blond-haired 20-something, but Axe in Hand: A Woodchopper’s Guide to Blades, Wood & Fire (Cool Springs Press, $25) is a good book. Author Nicole…
Amy Grisak’s 100 Things to Do in Bozeman Before You Die (Reedy Press, $18) is the ultimate to-do list for Bozone residents and tourists alike. Between the eclectic mix of outdoor escapades, culinary delights, and local…
