Traversing the Scapegoat: Crown Mountain Trail to North Fork of the Blackfoot

Hiking back from Evans Peak on Day 5.

We recently took six days to backpack across the Scapegoat Wilderness, starting on the Crown Mountain Trail near Benchmark on the Rocky Mountain Front, heading southwest around Scapegoat Mountain, and ending at the North Fork of the Blackfoot, near Ovando. In place of Alex, who we of course missed, was Ellie's boyfriend Danny McKay. It turned out to be a great trip, with good group dynamics, an action packed itinerary, and some magnificent and little visited places; once away from our starting and ending trail heads, we only saw one person. In order to stretch the trip out to six days (as it's less than 40 miles point-to-point), we spent two nights at both Halfmoon Park (a truly magnificent spot, though heavily used by outfitters), and Carmichael, our favorite camp of the trip, 15 miles up the N. Fk. of the Blackfoot from the trail head. On the first layover day (3), we attempted Scapegoat Mountain and got turned back on a sketchy traverse, but on our second layover day (5) we successfully summitted Evans Peak, which was magnificent. All in all, it was one of our best backpacking trips, though its downfall, as with any point-to-point, was the logistics. Danny's mom Julie picked us up at the end, but the next day we had to drive back up to the Rocky Mountain Front to get the car. To make this second trip up worth our while, we hit a wedding for one of Jen's cousins near Lincoln on the way, and then climbed a noname P2K peak near Benchmark the next day. All together, the extended time in wilderness set my soul at ease.

Jen just a couple of miles in on the first day.

Danny and I summitted Crown Mountain on Day 1.

Looking off toward Scapegoat Mountain from Crown Mountain.

Nearing camp after a long first day.

On day 2, up Geen Fork Creek, we saw griz tracks. Yikes!

Ellie and Danny swimming in a no-name lake up Geen Fork Canyon.

Jen at the same lake.

Pudge wasn't a fan of his backpack.

The wall at Halfmoon Park.

Halfmoon Park.

A shot from our attempt at Scapegoat Mountain.

Lounging in the tent.

Hiking below Scapegoat.

Further along the trail

Traversing snow as we walk under Scapegoat.

Ellie on the Continental Divide with the Scapegoat in the background

Walking the Divide with Evans Peak in the background, which we would climb the next day.

One of many stream crossings.

Ellie, Danny, and Evans peak.

On our hike of Evans Peak the next day.

Evans Peak walking.

Pudge cooling off.

Danny and Ellie.

Jen with Scapegoat Mountain in the background.

Danny on the summit.

My girls.

On the way down.

Last day, falls on the N. Fk. Blackfoot.

 PICTURES FROM THE HIKE OF PEAK 8282 WHICH WE HIKED AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR: 

Jen hiking the ridge.

Looking off toward 8282.

Freedom of the hills.

Summit view.