Hike to Montana's First Dude Ranch July 28, 2020
July 28, while staying at Yellowstone's Edge RV Park, we drove down to MM 9.65 (no, there wasn't an actual MM, but a road to the left to the trailhead parking area just a tad past mm 10 😃). The Forest Service has changed the access to the trail head for the OTO (original brand--and if you look at it closely, you will see two oxen linked by a yoke) Ranch access, and this was it! After climbing up a narrow but good gravel road, we reached the trail head parking lot and guess what! We were the only vehicle! And we were the only ones hiking up to the old OTO Dude Ranch!
We gathered together our "stuff": backpack with water, snacks, one can of bear spray (thanks Lisa and Carol for the loan!) and other small odds and ends, and took off walking!
Lindy uses the app AllTrails to "track" hikes, bike rides, and other trails. This hike was 3.8 miles total: up to the old dude ranch and back. Total elevation gain was 545 feet, and moving time was 2 hours. We spent a total of 2 hours and 36 minutes looking around at the old buildings and hiking in and out.
The walk was easy, on a gravel road. The area where the old ranch is located is beautiful! It was fun to imagine just what it would have been like in the 1920's into the 1930's.
A fun hike, especially considering the connection to the OTO Ranch by the owners of Yellowstone's Edge RV Park! Stepping back in time a rich experience!
Roving Riders - catching up on 2020 Summer Activities!
Later! Stay tuned for more from AllTrails, on the Mickelson Trail with our "Power Bikes!"
Comments
Post a Comment