A Father–Son Wilderness Adventure in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Starting at $975 per person
5 Days, 4 Nights
3-5 Father-Son groups
7 - 11 Travelers total
Book by email [email protected]m
Join a small group of other fathers and sons for an unforgettable backpacking adventure in one of the least-visited yet most breathtaking designated wilderness areas in the United States: the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
You’ll be guided by Bitterroot Backpacking founder Luke Hayduk, a former chemical engineer turned wilderness expert, who brings deep knowledge, careful leadership, and a passion for preservation of nature.
As you hike, Luke and another guide (TBD) will share the story of the Bitterroot, exploring its geologic history, identifying native plants and wildlife, and helping you connect more deeply with the land around you.
Expect to hike 5–13 miles each day, with a new backcountry campsite each night. Bitterroot Backpacking provides high-quality tents, sleeping bags, and all essential group gear, so you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics.
Meal planning is available for an additional cost.
Trip Overview
Highlights:
- Backpack and camp 5 days and 4 nights in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness alongside alpine lakes and creeks.
- Camp in a new location each night in luxury, ultralight tents, sleeping bags, and on inflatable mattresses.
- Hike 5 - 13 mi / Day with opportunities for off-trail travel to scenic viewpoints.
- Alpine Lake packraft floating on serene and remote lakes.
- Bring your own fishing gear! We can help you set up rentals from a local outfitter and get your out of state fishing license.
- Stargaze at the Milky Way under some of the darkest nighttime skies in the US.
- Learn about backpacking tips and tricks from expert backpacking guide(s).
Activity Level:
Moderate/Challenging 4/5
Inclusions:
- Guiding Services
- Gear Rental
- All Backpacking and Camping reservations
- Dinner and campfire at the Little Smith Creek Ranch before the trip
- Transportation from the destination trailhead to origin. 30 min drive.
Group Size: 7 - 11 people
1 to 4 Months Before the Hike
Trip Planning
Virtual Trip planning meeting to be hosted on Google Meet 1-2 months prior to the trip! Any questions for your guide go to [email protected].
1 Day Before the Hike - July 23th
Meet the Crew, Prepare, and Pack Bags
At the Little Smith Creek Ranch in Victor, MT.
In the Evening:
We’ll meet at the Little Smith Creek Ranch at 7pm for introductions, to pack our bags together, and to prepare for the trip starting on the following day. We’ll have a campfire, light snacks, and other refreshments.
Day 1 - July 24th
Embark on a Hike of a Lifetime!
5.1 mi, 1199 ft elevation gain + optional 4.4 mi +2200 ft elevation gain
We’ll meet at the Little Smith Creek Ranch at 10 am or at the Mill Creek Trailhead at 1030 am and set off on our hike by 11 am.
We’ll start our day on an easy, well-trodden trail that winds along the floor of Mill Canyon. As the views become magnificent, we’ll stop for photos, to refill water, and eat snacks.
Our campsite on the first night will be along Mill Creek, near the trail split that goes up to Hauf Lake. It will take us about 3 hours to reach this point. Once we arrive, we’ll set up camp, have lunch and collect firewood. From 3 pm - 8ish pm, Luke will lead an optional 4.4 mi +2200 ft elevation gain hike to Hauf Lake. This is a challenging hike meant for folks who need the extra workout! Otherwise, the campsite is a great place to relax, and there is plenty to explore nearby.
Day 2 - July 25th
Hiking to Mill Lake
6.8 mi, 1600 ft elevation gain
We’ll take our time in the morning on day 2 and hit the trail by 10 am. We’ll spend the majority of our day hiking up Mill Canyon to Mill Lake, where we’ll set up our next campsite. Along the way, there will be plenty of opportunity for water refills, which will make our loads a bit lighter than the average trip. We’ll stop at a scenic spot for lunch about 3 hrs after starting our hike. Ideally, we’ll make it to the lake in about 4-5 hrs.
At the lake, folks can fish, packraft, swim, or explore the granitic ledges around the lake. Hiking out of this cirque is difficult, so we won’t plan any additional hiking this day.
Day 3 - July 26th
Traversing the Mill-Fred Burr Mountain Pass, Visiting Alpine Lakes
3 mi, 1934 ft elevation gain with optional 0.5 - 1 mi, 1000 ft elevation gain, off trail hikes to local viewpoints
At its minimum, this could be the shortest day for some people, but for others, this could easily be a 6-mi day. There will be plenty to see on this day as we ascend to the Mill-Fred Burr Mountain Pass and visit 3 different alpine lakes. We’ll take time to explore each and if there are enough fishermen in the group, fish at each one.
Once we reach our day’s destination, Fred Burr Lake, we’ll drop our packs and make our way up to a local peak at just above 8,000 ft altitude. The views here are TREMENDOUS! In similar fashion to the two previous nights, we’ll set up camp and collect firewood for a fire in the evening.
Day 4 - July 27th
Hiking to Fred Burr Reservoir
7.8 mi, minimal elevation gain, many downed trees
We’ll spend the following day hiking mostly downhill to Fred Burr Reservoir. We’ll have to cross the creek twice, so get ready to walk through some water! The views along the trail on the way down from Fred Burr Lake are great, but once you reach the valley floor, they are limited.
This section of the trail is the least-maintained out of all the prior sections. We’ll have to climb over plenty of trees and battle overgrown portions of trail. Travel will slow to 1 mph or less at times and will make this 7.8 mi day feel like a 12 mi day. Through thick and thin, we’ll make our way to the reservoir for a relaxing final evening in the wilderness.
Day 5 - July 28th
Peaceful Morning by the Lake
4.9 mi, minimal elevation gain
The final day of the trip starts at Fred Burr Reservoir for a relaxing morning. Luke will host an optional 1 mi, 1000 ft elevation gain hike to the base of the nearby granite spires for some amazing views. After this early morning excursion, the group will pack up and set off by 11 am. This will be the easiest part of the trail, and we will make it to the Fred Burr trailhead in a little under 3 hrs. From here, we’ll shuttle you back to the Little Smith Creek Ranch or the Mill Creek Trailhead and say farewell!
Photos From Past Trips
Our cozy campsites always feature a firering and sometimes have rock seating!
Packrafting on a quiet and still mountain lake at dawn.
Your guide, Luke, (on the right) with a client in Autumn 2022. You can see the needles on the Larch trees turning yellow behind us. They're one of the only pine trees to do so!
Alpacka Rafts built the very first modern packrafts in the early 2000s. We carry the Alpacka Scout, a 3.5 lb raft with e designed purpose of floating on alpine lakes.
The weather is not always perfect! Make sure to bring a rain jacket!
At the end of July, there's still plenty of water streaming down the mountainside. This filtered water is some of the best I've ever had!
The Bitterroot Mountain Range is mostly granitic rock and has some amazing mineral formations!
During our trip, we’ll embark on a few early morning hikes for some incredible sunrise views!
Bring your fishing rod and valid Montana fishing licence for fly fishing on unpressured lakes!
Panoramic views from some of the off-trail viewpoints along the hike, near the pass.
We pride ourselves on camping in beautiful places!
F.A.Q.
I've never hiked before. Is this trip for me?
Yes this trip is for you! We’ve designed this trip to be approachable by novices to backpacking, yet offers opportunity for challenging and rewarding hikes for experts and those in good physical shape.
I’m not in great physical condition. Is this trip for me?
Maybe! While there is no physical requirement for this trip, we do ask participants to move at a mild to moderate pace of about 1.5 - 2 mph. We ask this so that we can make the trip experience the best possible. If you are unsure, we can help you prepare by offering an outline of a fitness program to help you get into proper physical condition!
Do you provide the gear?
Luxury rental gear is included in every trip. Check out our gear list here.
What should I pack?
Do you provide meals and snacks?
Completely OPTIONAL! We can take that logistical worry off your mind for a flat price, or you can plan to bring your own food for the trip! We have a variety of options and can accommodate most dietary-restrictions.
Is transportation included?
Transportation from the Fred Burr Trailhead to the Mill Creek Trailhead or Little Smith Creek Ranch is included in the price of this trip. Transport to or from Missoula or the Bitterroot Valley is not included.
Will we see wildlife?
We may see some wildlife, but encounters are not common. With that said, the Bitterroot is home to bears, elk, moose, wolves, mountain lions and pika as well as a plethora of other animals.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Please inquire about bringing your dog before you bring them. Dogs and owners must follow local laws!
Can I bring my fishing rod?
Yes! We can help you rent one too if needed. Please bring a valid Montana fishing licence as well.
Are accommodations included?
No indoor accommodations included on this trip. Tents, sleeping bags, and inflatable mattresses are the accommodations!
Where can I find a map of the route?
During our trip planning meeting, Luke will distribute a virtual copy of the map of our hike. The route we take is not publicly available on the internet for LNT purposes. You can find sections of this route in Michael Hoyt’s book on Bitterroot Hikes and on the hiking app, AllTrails.
Check out our Ultralight Gear.
Some companies don't provide rental gear in trip pricing, but we do!
Our gear is ULTRALIGHT! Your full pack weight will be under 30 lbs!
We carry
the best backpacking meals.
Plan out and the gobble down meals by brands like Gastrognomeals and Wild Zora.
Digital Topo Maps and Virtual Trip Planning
Included with this trip:
- Access to digital topographical trail map on Caltopo.com
- Virtual trip planning meeting one month prior to trip on Google Meet.
Pricing Per Person
Guiding Only, BYO food and Gear
$975
Guiding + Gear
$1575
Guiding + Food + Gear
$2075
See our Cancellation policy below
Reviews
"Luke was very personable & knowledgeable. He provided thoughtful snacks & a yummy meals. He would give scientific names to the landscapes/ mountains, show the markings on the mountains from glaciers. The FLOATING was amazing, being on a beautiful body of water & surrounded by extreme beauty was amazing. I will definitely hike with Luke again!"
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Booked trips are fully refundable until 3 weeks before departure. A 50-100% deposit is required to reserve your spot. Full payment is required before the trip.
Weather
The weather can be incredibly difficult to predict for a mountainous environment like the one we’ll be visiting on this trip. We’ll plan for temperatures in the 50s - 70s during the day and 30s - 40s at night. This hike will be hosted rain or shine, but in the event of a thunderstorm, we will take shelter using the precautions outlined by Wilderness First Responder training the guide has received. In the very rare case of dangerous thunderstorms for multiple days, trips can be rebooked or a partial refund of up to 50% can be given.
Disclaimers
Condition Restraints
This tour is, in part, in remote areas. This adds to the adventure and opportunity to enjoy a true nature experience. However, due to the nature of the terrain, weather, road conditions, and other elements beyond our control, some elements of tours may have to be altered. Times of some activities may need to be changed or even cancelled due to the conditions. If an activity is cancelled it will be replaced with an alternative activity that is more appropriate for the conditions. Advance notice will be given for any changes where possible, although at times changes may be made whilst the tour is in progress.
Wildlife Encounters
On every trip, we love to see wildlife, but it is impossible to guarantee an encounter or sighting. With that said, wildlife is common in the Bitterroot National Forest and it is likely we will see or encounter something. A note on Grizzlies: Grizzly bears are very uncommon in the Bitterroot. The Bitterroot was once their habitat, but settlers and homesteaders drove them out of this area.
Terms and Conditions
Acceptance of Risk and Responsibility
Nature and adventure travel is by character, an activity that requires traveling in areas that are often remote and the terrain difficult. Whilst every precaution is taken to ensure the comfort and safety of guests, these trips inherently have have elements of risk. By taking part in this tour you acknowledge that there are inherent risks and that you are fully aware of the conditions of travel, accommodation and activities offered. You accept that Bitterroot Backpacking, its staff and sub-contractors cannot be held liable for any accident, illness or similar occurrence. You hereby accept all such risk and release the company from all claims and causes of action arising from any injuries or damages resulting from these inherent risks.
Authority on Trail
At all times, Bitterroot Backpacking's guide or its representative will be final authority on all matters likely to endanger the safety, well-being and enjoyment of the tour. Clients must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should the client fail to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on tour or, if in the company’s opinion, the client's behavior causes or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate that client’s tour without any liability on the company’s part.