Hello, I have been fortunate enough to afford the time and expense to travel to Bozeman MT this month and visit with some old friends and a town I lived in while attending college some years ago. Bozeman sits in the Gallatin Valley and is graced with numerous natural gifts which make possible all kinds of outdoor activities. Being a hiker I am choosing to walk some trails that are about to be impassable or inaccessible due to the onset of winter. There was snow around 7000' when I arrived Monday and after the snow we had yesterday that line moved to about 5500', for now. This weather forced me to go and purchase some used winter hiking boots at a local store, Second Wind Sports, which is a frugal/practical hiker's heaven! With two levels of all types of outdoor gear including boots, packs, coats, and stuff I didn't have time to look at but I am going to visit again before my departure. I had only packed some hiking shoes due to limited room in my luggage and so I was ready to do this if needed, and I got what appears to be a good pair of winter boots that fit, are relatively light, are keeping the snow out so far, and for a good price.
Well these pictures are from a walk I took yesterday (9/25), in the Bridger Mtns., Gallatin National Forest, on a trail to Sacagawea Pass and Peak. Due to the potentially dangerous weather at 9000'+ when I reached the pass I decided it would not be wise to continue the short distance to the peak as I would be on a completely exposed trail with winds at approximately 40mph, blowing icy snow, with low visibility, and I was alone. I was using the rock pile to block the wind and regroup before I made my descent along a short but intense trail which coming up gains over 1000' vertical per mile from the parking area. At this parking area there is a permanent unisex toilet facility and the Fairy Lake Campground. The lake is like less than 1/4 one way from the parking area.
I have seen this trail described on websites as "moderate". However it may be moderate only in distance and it is wrong to give the impression that if you can walk in a mall or across the parking lot at "wally world" you can do this trail. This trail is steep, gaining a 1000' per mile over it's 2 mls to the peak and a narrow trail at times as it "switch-backs" along open rock faces of the mountain leaving you no shelter from sometimes extreme elements.
Due to the fact that it was cloudy and snowing I was unable to experience the awesome vistas I was told about, and new this to be probable before leaving, however it gives me reason to return!
Well these pictures are from a walk I took yesterday (9/25), in the Bridger Mtns., Gallatin National Forest, on a trail to Sacagawea Pass and Peak. Due to the potentially dangerous weather at 9000'+ when I reached the pass I decided it would not be wise to continue the short distance to the peak as I would be on a completely exposed trail with winds at approximately 40mph, blowing icy snow, with low visibility, and I was alone. I was using the rock pile to block the wind and regroup before I made my descent along a short but intense trail which coming up gains over 1000' vertical per mile from the parking area. At this parking area there is a permanent unisex toilet facility and the Fairy Lake Campground. The lake is like less than 1/4 one way from the parking area. 
I have seen this trail described on websites as "moderate". However it may be moderate only in distance and it is wrong to give the impression that if you can walk in a mall or across the parking lot at "wally world" you can do this trail. This trail is steep, gaining a 1000' per mile over it's 2 mls to the peak and a narrow trail at times as it "switch-backs" along open rock faces of the mountain leaving you no shelter from sometimes extreme elements.
Due to the fact that it was cloudy and snowing I was unable to experience the awesome vistas I was told about, and new this to be probable before leaving, however it gives me reason to return!
