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system we have developed over time that has proven to be the best
for animals and vegetation. Soon, we hang our food bags on the
high horizontal pole fastened by the Park Service between two tall
trees, out of reach of hungry bears. As we snuggle into our sleeping
bags, we know that we can rely on our banana-eared companions
to warn of any danger in the night. Whoever passes through the
night will have to get by the llamas and their alarm system.
e night passes without incident. en over breakfast urgent,
high-pitched noise from the llama meadow makes us jump and
leave our steaming coffee mugs as we scramble through sagebrush.
We arrive in time to behold a stately moose passing through the
excited llama group and heading into the willows. We exhale with
relief. Upon our return the coffee is cold but who needs caffeine
with all the action. Now we are ready to pack up camp and head on
out. As our signature call — "Let's go llamas! — resounds across
Cache Creek, our long-necked companions fall into step behind us,
and we march into another day of great backcountry adventure.
Two days and many miles later, we arrive safely back at the
trailhead, where the llamas jump into their trailer and we say
good-bye to new friends. As we drive off, and Yellowstone gets
smaller and smaller in our rear view mirror, we are already mak-
ing plans for our next trek, this time down the trail of Fan Creek
in the Northwest Corner.
For a related article in the
DM Archives, see:
"Horsepacking 101" by
Dan Aadland, Summer 2014
DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL
