Grizzly Creek Camp Is Set and Ready for Summer
We rode in this past weekend to set up Grizzly Creek Camp for the season, and it did not disappoint. Between the wildflowers, the mountain goats, and afternoon thunderstorms, it felt like the mountains were putting on a show for us.
The Short Answer: Grizzly Creek Camp is set up and ready for the 2026 summer trips. The pass was clear of snow, the meadow is green and lush from lots of moisture, and the tents are ready and waiting on our first guests.
The Ride In and Up Wallace Pass
It was a hot one this year, but the mountains had their own plans. We rode in and up Wallace Pass under clear skies. There was no snow on the pass this time, which made for an easy passage up.
By afternoon, a storm had rolled in and we got hailed and rained on the rest of the day. No one quite got their rain jacket on in time to completely stay dry! That rain broke the heat and kept the bugs down, as we rode into Grizzly Creek, and we will take that trade every time.
The ride out brought its own reward. We spotted over a dozen mountain goats right near Wallace Pass, which is always a fun sight to see. Outside of the weather, both the rides in and out were uneventful, and after packing this trail as many years as we have, uneventful is exactly what you hope for.
A Wetter Grizzly Creek
Grizzly Creek meadow was noticeably damper than usual this year, and it is a good thing to see that kind of moisture holding at higher elevation this time of year. The extra water showed up in an unexpected way too. From Knife Creek all the way to Grizzly Creek, mushrooms were pushing up through the trail, some of them the size of small plates. If you are riding in this summer, keep an eye out. It is one of those small details that makes this country feel alive.
By the end of long days working in the sun, Grizzly Creek itself became the reward. There is nothing quite like an afternoon dip in the creek after a full day of setting camp.
Life in Camp
Once the tents were up, camp settled into its own rhythm. Gary explained the rules of frog races to anyone willing to catch a contestant. Nika kept the cook tent running the way she always does, baked potatoes and steaks over the fire, coffee always hot, and desserts that folks talk about long after the trip is over. Her apple pie survived getting flipped upside down more than once this trip and still came out perfect, which might be the most impressive part of the whole weekend!
Camp had its usual visitors too. The resident mule deer doe was back to her old habit of sneaking into the corral for a few stolen bites of horse pellets, and the camp snowshoe hare kept everyone entertained, that flash of white on its feet giving it away every time it darted through camp.
Tents are set. The cook tent is stocked and ready. Grizzly Creek Camp is standing by for the first trips of the summer, and after this weekend, we can tell you the country is in good shape to meet you.
If you have been thinking about a backcountry trip this summer , reach out now we only have a couple of spots available. Call Black Otter Guide Service at 406-224-0035 or visit our website to hold your spot. Or start planning for 2027!
