The Beaten Path is one of the most popular trails in the Absoroka-Beartooth wilderness area. The route travels from near Cooke City over the top of the Beartooth Mountains to the East Rosebud trailhead about 25 miles north. This year however, the East Rosebud Road has been closed due to the flooding in mid-June. That made it seem like this summer was the perfect opportunity to return to the popular route. However, on the way in I counted more than 60 people on the trail. So the key was to get off the path to lakes nearby. That turned out to be a great opportunity to do some fly fishing for cutthroat trout. For more on the Beaten Path check out my story at:billingsgazette.com

Written by Brett French | Outdoors Editor | Billings Gazette