Adventure Advisor:

Though most visitors to Beaverhead National Forest ignore the Tobacco Root Mountains, there's absolutely no reason they should. The range’s easily accessible trails have just as much to offer as southern Montana’s other natural areas: plenty of wildlife, creeks and lakes, densely wooded paths, great fishing. And while motor vehicles are allowed on the trails, the terrain is rugged enough to keep away all but the occasional ATV.

A good starting point for a backpacking trip is the four-mile Hollowtop Trail, which takes you up from the town of Pony past white bark pines to craggy peaks and lakes. If you’re packing your pole, don’t bother fishing at Hollowtop Lake. There’s much better stock in the fishing holes a little higher up. You also might want to head for nearby Albro Lake, a pretty reliable source of cutthroat trout. Some of the best fishing in the area, however, is just off Highway 287. Pull into any roadside tackle shop and ask them to point you to one of the many Madison River access points. The blue-ribbon trout supply is legendary. For information and forest maps call the Madison Ranger District at 406-682-4253.

Another out of the ordinary way to explore this unusually beautiful place is to let a llama do the schlepping. Outback Llamas runs day trips into the mountains, complete with a gourmet picnic lunch at an abandoned gold mine. For reservations call 406-587-7964 or go to www.outbackllamas.com.