Revel in the remote beauty of the Scapegoat Wilderness. The Chinese Wall may get all the hype, but the Scapegoat’s own limestone escarpment is equally impressive. The Scapegoat’s crowning features include the Scapegoat Wall, towering 1,000 feet above the basin below, and high plateaus that stretch for several miles along the Continental Divide. The sheer immensity of the Scapegoat is breath-taking. Because of the limestone geology of the area, there are many geologic treasures to discover, ranging in size from the tiniest fossil to large caves that extend hundreds of feet into the Continental Divide itself.

We trek to the Scapegoat Wall, with attractions along the way including the clear pools, small canyons, and waterfalls of Smith Creek; wide-open meadows bursting with wildflowers and vibrant grasses; and the towering limestone mass in the distance. Camping beneath the wall, we take a few days to swim in cerulean waters, explore a landscape that holds artifacts dating back over 10,000 years, and scramble on top of a high-elevation plateau that teems with stunning views and one-of-a-kind geologic features.

Our trip continues south along the length of the Scapegoat Wall, allowing us to take in its vastness before dropping down into the Dearborn River drainage, where we pause to enjoy the big old-growth spruce trees guarding the river. As we leave the wilderness, we witness the Great Plains unfolding from the upswells of the Rockies. The stark contrast is mesmerizing.

If you are looking to experience a landscape of unparalleled splendor that is a bit off the beaten path, then this is the trip for you.