Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | On the Rocks Around every bend in the stream awaits a new vista calling to the photographer. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Downstream The bridge provided a nice platform to capture an image of the basin beyond. That’s where we are headed! Did you catch it? We’re hiking upstream not downstream. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Foot Bridge No need to forge the river! This oe person wide footbridge keeps the feet dry while providing a nice vantage point. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Steller’s Jay This Jay was hanging out in the evergreen trees at about the 8000 foot level on our hike. My bird knowledge is limited, but it appears to be a Steller’s Jay. It did not get upset with our hiking through his territory. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Rocky Trail The trails are relatively smooth, but if you get off the trail, it can get rocky. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Up the Hill Up the hill we go. The incline is just over 200 feet per mile, but some places along the trail are steeper while others are almost flat. And remember climbing at elevations between 8,000 and 9,000 feet challenges some flatland folks. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | Looking Back As we started our hike, we looked back at our vehicle parked at the trailhead, Obviously, the terrain is rising already. We were the only vehicle in the rather small parking lot at around 2:30pm on a mid October afternoon. This trail is quite popular. Perhaps, October is a good month to miss the crowds. For the whole story with all images, see Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 image Story.
Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin | a 7 Image Story Hiking the Beehive Basin trail in October makes for a beautiful day. It’s not too hot; not too cold. A little snow adds to the natural beauty of the land. No wonder Beehive Basin Trail has been ranked in the top ten greatest hikes in the world! As it winds through open meadows carpeted with wildflowers, it provides amazing views of the Big Sky Valley and Lone Peak.
The hike is considered moderate difficulty with a few steep climbs between flatter sections. The 6.3 mile trail starts at 7944 feet above sea level at the trailhead and climbs another 1300+ feet. Even though flat land visitors might notice the altitude a bit, a round trip hike should not take more than 5 hours, if you go all the way to the lake. It’s a beautiful day hike even if you don’t make it to the lake.
Looking Back As we started our hike, we looked back at our vehicle parked at the trailhead, Obviously, the terrain is rising already. We were the only vehicle in the rather small parking lot at around 2:30pm on a mid October afternoon. This trail is quite popular. Perhaps, October is a good month to miss the crowds. Up the Hill Up the hill we go. The incline is just over 200 feet per mile, but some places along the trail are steeper while others are almost flat. And remember climbing at elevations between 8,000 and 9,000 feet challenges some flatland folks. Foot Bridge No need to forge the river! This oe person wide footbridge keeps the feet dry while providing a nice vantage point.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Hiking Big Sky’s Beehive Basin.
Click any image below for a slide show.
