Driving in the west, you learn that paved roads don’t necessarily take you where you need to be.
Turn off Route 78 at Roscoe, Montana between Red Lodge and Columbus to drive to the East Rosebud Lake. The pavement disappears and soon your vehicle is dust-covered. Don’t moan, complain, or worry about the dulling of chrome and paint. Keep your eyes fixed dead ahead and your mouth shut so each awe-inspiring view lets it drop open again.
This drive approaching the canyon is gorgeous, breathtaking, God-given, and every other descriptive word of beauty you can dream up.
Time Passes, The East Rosebud Remains an Incredible Hike
Thirty years had passed since my first trek to the East Rosebud and that was far too long to miss out on visiting this gem. The lime green meadows have deep evergreens shooting skyward. They lead your eye up the mountain slopes to the colorful ridges, some still touched with snow.
Water in its proper place! 
Happy Hiker Me! 
Lake at East Rosebud
Last summer my brother-in-law and niece hiked the 26-mile stretch from atop the Beartooth Pass in Cooke City down to East Rosebud Lake. It took them four days and was worth every arduous step that their booted feet took. At least going that direction it’s more down than up.
The East Rosebud is a place for day hikes, overnight treks, and fishing. Although you could probably pop a kayak onto the lake and enjoy some laps around, the upper branch of water leading into it is tough and not intended for recreational use. The boat launch is easy and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a mama and baby moose nibbling on the waterside grasses. As always, heed the cautions of the locals and don’t get between the two animals or trouble will follow.
Before you set off, you’ll also need to read the notices posted on the trailside boards. They alert you to bears in the area, always a possibility, and anything else of importance.
Wouldn’t ride these rapids Kicking up a froth 
The rocky trail 
Plunging rapids
We hiked a bit of the Elk trail, passing serious backpackers headed up the steep mountains to Cooke City. Incongruously, there was a guy carrying nothing but a Subway bag. The nearest Subway store is more than twenty-five miles away.
With much of the trail exposed, keep the sunscreen on your skin and the hat on your head. The clarity of the western sky makes it easy to sunburn.
Fires are Always Possible in the East Rosebud
Too many of the lakeside cabins were consumed by the fires of 1996. Rebuilding took place and there’s a scattering of non-winter homes located around the area. If you forgot to bring some vital treat, never fear, there is a charming and surprisingly well-stocked store not far from the trailhead. Coffee? Ice cream? Trail mix? Gab a bit with the owners, grab your treats and head out. While hiking, carry water and stay hydrated, with the dry air and the altitude, more body moisture can evaporate than you think. Take salty snacks and pace yourself with both hiking and snacking.
Speaking of burning, although you don’t see it in the news, too much of Montana is on fire right now. As of the writing of this blog, (9/15/17), over 1.2 million acres have been destroyed—homes, ranches, livestock, wild animals, forests—gone. If you are there in springtime and you’ve got blessed rain or runoff keeping the ground green and wet, be cautious of flames. Pay attention to the fire danger warnings and do not, ever, leave a fire unattended.
Montana is a place that will captivate your heart, so be ready when you visit. Once you see the beauty of East Rosebud, Montana and let it seep into your soul, you’ll never be the same.
Awe inspiring indeed. The 26 mile hike sounds like a challenge with a reward of nature at her finest
Carol, Jenny & John are both kind of crazy, so the 26-mile trek was them in typical action mode!
A visit to East Rosebud sounds lovely, and I’ll keep it on my list of someday places to visit. I’m more likely than not to be in that area again one of these days. Montana is such a wonderful place to explore. So is Idaho. Hikes abound 🙂
You’d love Montana because you love Idaho and I would love Idaho because I love MT, Jeri. The west gets ahold of your heart and never lets go.
Okay, now this is more to my taste. Just never been a fan of the desert. The images are beautiful and I’m hoping that now that our fires are finally coming under control that I’ll soon be able to get out on the road to do some exploring of my own. Thanks so much for sharing your journies with us!
🙂 Marquita, I figured that Montana, from Billings west at least, would be too your liking. The mountains are fantastic. But go in the summer unless you’re taking up snow skiing!
East Rosebud looks beautiful – I am not surprised you took many photographs. So many aspects are drawing me in; the land, open space. It must have felt strange returning after 30 years. You certainly have the travelling bug – so do I but the opportunity to travel does not present itself as often as I would like.
Good on your brother and niece for taking a four day trip – very brave.
I’m not an overnight backpacker, Phoenicia, so I live those trips through what the niece & nephew do–especially when they rope their dad into it. Their photos of the backcountry were stunning. There’s so much to see–everywhere! I just saw an episode of Vera, featuring Hadrian’s Wall. OMG, was it beautiful.
That really looks stunningly beautiful.
Very lovely, Ken. Heading there the next time you go west?
Thanks for the memory, Rose Mary. It is a beautiful spot and I have a fun pic of Jackie and I at the lake. Of course, being me, we drove in – no hiking!
I had forgotten you were there, Nadine! So glad to have prompted your memory and yes, I can picture the photo of the two of you there–on a bridge.
I LIVE here and it’s been far too long since I’ve driven back there. Tsk tsk. I cried the first time I saw the East Rosebud!
I was near tears on this drive, too, wondering why it’d been so long since we’d all been there. Next summer we will go again and hike some more.
Such beautiful pictures. I’ve never seen a real moose but I would love to see one in real life (from afar, of course.) There were big fires where I lived last month. Mother nature really is no joke. You have to always be aware.
Yep, we easterners have spent a lot of time praying for the fire and flood areas. At my home in Montana, I had a mama and babies in my yard. I loved watching them eat–even when it was my spirea bush–but I gave them a large berth. They are wicked when they want to be.
Beautiful. Have to admit I have never even visited Montana. If I ever do I will ask you for advice on what to visit.
My sister and I both love to help people pick places to see in Montana, Catarina. So yes, if you ever take a trip there, reach out!
I love Montana! It’s been a long while since my last visit, but I remember how beautiful it was. In so many ways. And I love the quote about getting off the paved roads. As someone who has lived off the paved roads since 1982, I can definitely relate to that!
I love living off paved roads, Doreen, but husband is a city boy. Sigh. At least we drive them and walk them! Montana is so big that from east to west and north to south the terrain can be very different. Rather like any big state … or province.
Absolutely beautiful scenery. Mouths would definitely drop open!
Is is so amazing, Donna. I’d like to get a camper and then spend a week there hiking. Someday!