Horseback pack trips in the Absaroka-Beartooth

Cameron Mayo has been running Absaroka-Beartooth Outfitters for over thirty years, holding a Montana outfitter's license and both USFS and NPS authorisations to move through the Gallatin National Forest and neighbouring Yellowstone country.

A multi-day pack trip is horses in and horses out, moving between three established backcountry camps at Hellroaring, Buffalo Fork and Independence. Days follow the animals and the light rather than a fixed timetable.

Wall tents with wood stoves and cots wait at the end of each ride, and a camp cook handles meals. If you want lightweight carry-your-own travel, this is not it. If you want to actually see the wilderness at horse pace with shelter and food taken care of, this is exactly that. Wilderness skills and Leave No Trace teaching fold in as you ride rather than as a separate classroom hour.