RECOIL OFFGRID Preparation Offgrid Adventures: Montana to California
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For this edition of Offgrid Adventures, we’re setting our sights on two landscapes that tell very different stories of wild America. First is Jack Creek Preserve, an expansive stretch of Montana wilderness tucked between Ennis and Big Sky, where mountain trails lead deep into country still shaped by the hands of its original stewards. Then, we’ll move west to California’s Pinnacles National Park, a place born of fire and fracture, where ancient volcanic rock towers above caves and canyons. Together, these two destinations offer a study in contrast, one rooted in alpine forests and conservation, the other in shifting geology and survival of the land itself.
Adventure Appeal: Jack Creek Preserve offers a rare wilderness experience in Montana’s Madison Mountains, where 4,500 acres of protected land serve as both a recreational destination and a vital wildlife corridor. Nestled between Ennis and Big Sky, the preserve connects two sections of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, allowing elk, bear, and other wildlife to thrive in their natural habitat. Visitors can hike along the Jack Creek Trail, which provides year-round access to Forest Service land and deeper wilderness terrain. For those seeking adventure, the preserve offers opportunities to learn traditional outdoor skills, from bowhunting to wilderness tracking. Its rugged terrain, alpine lakes, and sweeping mountain views create an immersive setting for explorers who want more than just a scenic stop, but instead a living classroom in conservation and ecology.
Survival Readiness: Travelers to Jack Creek Preserve should be prepared for a semi-remote experience, where natural beauty comes with inherent challenges. Weather in the Madison Mountains can change rapidly, with sudden snow or storms even in summer months, so proper layering and navigation tools are essential. Wildlife encounters are likely, as grizzly bears, moose, and mountain lions inhabit the area, making bear spray and situational awareness critical. Since access is controlled by a private road requiring a permit, visitors must plan ahead to avoid being turned away. Trail users should expect rugged conditions with limited cell service, carrying sufficient food, water, and first aid. Hunters and camp participants are provided structured resources, but independent visitors need to approach the preserve as an off-grid zone where self-reliance and outdoor competency are key to both safety and enjoyment.
Getting There: Access to Jack Creek Preserve is unique, as it requires navigating the gated Jack Creek Road, owned and managed by Moonlight Basin. Visitors need a road pass to use this route, so planning with the preserve or affiliated organizations is essential. Those without permits can still reach the area by hiking along Jack Creek Trail (6317), which has a Forest Service easement ensuring public access throughout the year. The preserve lies between the communities of Ennis and Big Sky, making Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport the most convenient air gateway, followed by a scenic drive through the Madison Valley. Travelers should be prepared for limited signage and mountain driving conditions, especially in winter. For those attending educational programs, transportation details are often coordinated in advance, but independent explorers will need reliable vehicles and maps.
Local Perks: Beyond its rugged wilderness appeal, Jack Creek Preserve offers cultural and community connections that enrich the visit. The preserve lies within the ancestral homelands of the Salish, Shoshone-Bannock, Apsáalooke, Tséstho’e, Niitsitapi, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples, whose stewardship of the land is honored through ongoing conservation efforts. Modern visitors can engage in camps, workshops, and field schools designed to foster outdoor skills and environmental education. Hunting opportunities, offered in partnership with organizations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, emphasize the role of hunters in conservation. For those staying overnight, log cabins and structured camps provide a blend of comfort and rustic immersion. The nearby towns of Ennis and Big Sky add to the experience with small-town hospitality, western culture, and access to local Montana cuisine, making the preserve both an outdoor adventure and a cultural journey.
Adventure Appeal: Pinnacles delivers a rare mix of serrated spires, condor country, and flashlight-in-hand cave crawling. Lace up for the High Peaks, where steps and handrails thread narrow ridgelines with thousand-foot perspectives over oak woodlands and chaparral. Duck into talus caves at Bear Gulch or Balconies where house-sized boulders roof cool passages and water voices echo after storms. Seasoned climbers find volcanic breccia with pockets and knobs, while wildlife watchers scan thermals for the unmistakable silhouette of California condors managed here with neighboring partners. Spring paints the slopes with wildflowers and raptor displays, winter brings clear air and quiet trails, and long golden evenings land softly on the spires.
Survival Readiness: Heat is the big hazard. Summer and early fall often exceed 100 degrees with no water on trails, so plan at least one liter per person per hiking hour and favor dawn starts. Shoes with real tread matter because volcanic rubble rolls underfoot and cave floors can be slick. Carry a light for any cave route and check seasonal closures for bats and flood risk. Watch for poison oak on nearly every trail edge and rattlesnakes sunning on warm rock. Winter storms can swell creeks and trigger rockfall that lingers after rain. Cell coverage is spotty, so leave an itinerary and bring a paper map. Developed water is limited to visitor areas and the campground.
Getting There: There is no road through the park. Choose your side before you drive. From the Bay Area, the East Entrance comes via US 101 to CA 25 then CA 146 to the campground and visitor center. The West Entrance reaches trailheads above Chaparral from Soledad via CA 146, which narrows to one lane in places. East side trails are open 24 hours for day use, while the west gate operates daytime hours only. Expect heavy spring visitation with parking filling by mid-morning. A seasonal shuttle runs on the east side from the campground area during busy periods which helps bypass full lots near Bear Gulch. Use the official entrance coordinates when navigating.
Local Perks: Base on the east for camping near the park store and showers or day trip from Salinas Valley towns with farm stands and simple taquerias. West side access pairs nicely with Soledad tasting rooms and Mission-era history along the valley. Birders can combine condor watching with wintering raptors over fields, while families enjoy short scenic loops like Moses Spring to the Bear Gulch Reservoir when caves are open. Spring wildflowers and fall grape harvest shape the vibe, yet even busy days quiet down by late afternoon as shadows climb the pinnacles. Clear nights favor stargazing once heat fades, and cool mornings carry woodpecker calls across chaparral and oak woodland. Bring patience during peak seasons and you will be rewarded.
Have you been to Ennis, Montana, the caves at Pinnacles, or found another off-the-grid gem? We want to hear about it! Tag @RECOILOFFGRID on social media or send an email to offgrid@recoilweb.com with your stories and recommendations. Your adventure could be featured in our next issue!
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Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.
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