with the American Hiking Society
Location: Box Canyon Guard Station/E. Fork (Boulder River) TH.
Camp: Backcountry Campsite up the E. Fork Trail, near Lake Kathleen (7550 ft.)
Description
The East Fork of the Boulder River Trail accesses both the Lake Plateau (via Rainbow Cr.) and the headwaters of Slough Creek in the remote center of the A-B Wilderness. We will be setting up camp for the week at tiny Lake Kathleen, five miles up the E. Fork Trail, and working our way up towards the Slough Creek divide. We will be clearing the trail, doing much-needed trail maintenance, and installing numerous water bars. The Beartooth Backcountry Horsemen will be packing in our heavy food, camping equipment, and tools, so you’ll be carrying a lighter pack into Lake Kathleen.
Special Considerations
Elevation Gain: 6600 – 8500 (1900 ft). The dirt road up the Main Boulder River from McLeod, MT to its end at the Box Canyon Guard Station is a long, slow, and very bumpy ride and certainly not appropriate for lower clearance cars. It’s approximately 32 miles to the end from McLeod, but those 32 miles take 2+ hours to traverse. That’s why we’ll meet in Big Timber to caravan down together.