The Rocky Mountain Front, in Montana (south of Glacier,) was the most serene and “still wild” place I visited on my sabbatical. The Front encompasses the Bob Marshall Wilderness and several others.  The Front is also prime grizzly habitat, and as I drove up to a trail head on a dusty mountain road I felt nervous excitement. Grizzlies are so scary and yet thrilling. Of course, I did not wander far enough into the wilderness on that August day to find any.

Painting, Bob Marshall Wilderness

I have felt that sense of being in true wilderness only twice in recent years. In 2003, Kerry (17 years old) and I participated in a wilderness education weekend in south-central Colorado. We drove through Lake City and further west. Our campsite for the weekend was in the shadow of 14,000 foot mountains. We took group hikes above the tree line and ate lunch along alpine streams. Kerry climbed a 14er with some of the younger folks in the group, while I wandered on my own.

Colorado Fourteeners

My other wilderness experience was in a most unexpected place–along the California Coast. In Morrow Bay, we kayaked across a lagoon and walked through a protected sand dune area, to the coastline.

A more accessible part of Morrow Bay

What made these places a wilderness experience for me? The absence of human input.The possibility that the terrain looked the same as it did 100s of years ago. The scene felt whole.  The smells were rich and strong. Indeed, the feeling of wilderness was internal, subtle, soothing, exhilarating. I know when I am in wilderness by the joy I feel. Now, because I travel alone, I only wander the edges of wilderness areas. Yet a hunger to go deeper calls to me, especially after experiencing the Montana Front. As this trip nears its end, I ask, How can I go deeper? Who will go with me? I do some research about llama and pack-horse expeditions. Hmmmmm. A pack animal to carry my stuff, cooks to feed me, armed trail guides. The trips are pricey (especially into the Front) for someone who travels the ultra-low budget plan. Llama expeditions out of Lander, WY are more affordable. If I scrimp and save such trips are doable for me. So, observation one from this trip: my dream of going deeper into wilderness areas is possible, if I rely on trained guides to get me there. Not a bad compromise. Time to save those pennies!