The Morrison Trail & What It’s All About
The Morrison jeep trail is a challenge for just about any off-road rig. This 22-mile track gains more than a mile in elevation, topping off at 10,193 feet above sea level. The trail is in terrible condition and shouldn’t be attempted by inexperienced drivers or folks who suffer from vertigo or a fear of heights. As if loose, rocky conditions and 27 unbelievably steep switchbacks weren’t enough, the area is inhabited by moose, black bears, grizzly bears, and bobcats. However, as the saying goes, you pay for what you get. The views are absolutely breathtaking and the air is as fresh as it was 10,000 years ago. You just can’t get much farther from civilization within the continental U.S.
That brings us to the heart of the discussion—what it’s really all about. With so many quicker, cheaper ways to reach a far-off destination, why overland? It can be a challenge to answer this question for someone who’s never been overlanding, never enjoyed a good road trip, or even taken a multi-day backpacking trip. At the heart of it is the very definition of overlanding. The difference between overlanding and other forms of travel is that the journey is more important than the final destination.
Some would say the journey IS the destination. It’s all about the adventure, and it’s all about becoming completely immersed in your surroundings—actually living in the country you’re moving through. It’s easy to see, watching the video, that these guys aren’t in a hurry to get anywhere. They stop frequently to soak it all in. They don’t stress over time. They relax and enjoy. Most importantly, they relish the escape from civilization.
This is what overlanding is all about. There are certainly easier ways to get to the Beartooth Highway (where the Morrison Trail comes out). But the end of the trail isn’t the destination, it’s the end of the adventure.
So, why overland? If you really want to know, you’ll just have to get out there and experience for yourself.
