In a state with more stunning places per capita than most, it’s no surprise that there are still, well… surprises to be discovered! Every nook and cranny of our massive state is home to some of the most breathtaking and diverse terrain you can possibly imagine: never-ending prairies, towering rock formations and badlands, snow-capped mountain peaks, rushing waterways, and epic sprawling wilderness, just to name a few. There’s no shortage of natural beauty here!
But then…then there are places that need to be truly seen. Experienced. Breathed in up close and personal in all of their rugged, untouched glory. The Bob Marshall Wilderness is one such overlooked gem, filled to the brim with pristine lakes and waterfalls and secret havens that have yet to be discovered. But perhaps most notably, an incredible natural wonder that few have seen in person: the Chinese Wall. For a challenging, but rewarding, experience no matter the season, this is one bucket list icon you’ll definitely want to visit!
While the masses flock to Glacier National Park or head to mountain resorts, Big Hole, and into our state's gorgeous parks for their getaways, the Bob Marshall Wilderness south of Glacier remains a quiet, untamed slice of true Montana.
The Bob was established in 1964, and is comprised of three different national forests. It's also part of a larger wilderness complex made up of the Great Bear and Scapegoat Wildernesses as well. In other words, there's an endless amount of space to explore!
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In fact, deep within this pristine wilderness (one of the country's largest remaining road-less areas) is an incredible natural wonder that has to be seen to be believed.
Depending on how you define the wall itself, some record the Chinese Wall to be nearly 40 miles long!
Stretching across the landscape as one seamless, unbroken line of sheer cliffs, this unique formation makes up just a tiny portion of the Continental Divide region and intersects our country's landmark spine at multiple points.
Geology Tidbit: this unique ridge dates all the way back to the Paleozoic era and is a marine-reef remnant dotted with buried sealife fossils and visible water channels.
Because the Chinese Wall and its notable peaks (Sphinx, Haystack, and Cliff Mountain, specifically) are surrounded by mountains in every direction, the sweeping vistas from the summit are unrivaled.
Cell reception is nonexistent, amenities are a solid 20-plus miles away from the nearest trailhead, and wildlife is something to be very aware of. Very, very aware of.
Bikes are not allowed in the Bob either. Foot travel (horse or human) is really the only way to explore this remote area, which is why it's so pristine.
The route to the base of the wall is considered a bucket list dream for many backpackers, full of deep creek and river crossings, vibrant meadows, dense forests, and even some scrambling.
This is not a day-hike by any means. A number of horsepacking outfitters offer guided tours of this stretch of wilderness.
Primitive camping is available at the main trailhead (Benchmark/south fork of the Sun River Trailhead) and a few dispersed sites at various points along the way (such as Pretty Prairie and My Lake). But for the most part, safe overnight backpacking is at your own discretion.
Remember to follow all leave-no-trace principles, dispose of all gray water at least 200 feet from any water sources, and be extra cautious of burn-scarred areas, where the unstable timber can prove particularly dangerous.
While the route to get here is far from short and sweet, one thing is for sure: the unique grandeur of the Chinese Wall is absolutely remarkable.
The Chinese Wall might be a challenging, out-of-the-way natural wonder, but what an incredible sight to see and experience in person! If you’ve hiked to the base or summit of this incredible icon, we’d love to hear about it.
For more secluded places to explore in Montana, check out our article here. Or, feel free to nominate some of your own must-see spots!
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