Welcome! My name is Rod Benson: born 1959, grew up in Harlem (MT), married (Mardi), have 4 grown children. I enjoy hiking, peak-bagging, trail-running, snowshoeing, kayaking, lake swimming, meteorology, geology, Nordic skating, photography, and coaching archery. I taught high school science 37 yrs (Helena High Earth Science 1994-2019). After I retired in June of 2019, I started teaching again that December at Hays-Lodge Pole High School in north-central Montana. I will be re-retiring at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
I’ll try to post new adventures as often as possible. In the meantime, follow me on Instagram: rodbenson406 – I’ll try to post something interesting there at least once per week.
You can also sign up to “follow” my blog in the margin to the right. Followers get an email notification when a new post is ready. Let me know if you have questions about the hikes, or if you are interested in advertising on bigskywalker.com. Happy trails! -Rod Benson
Below: This map marks hikes that have been featured so far – Select full screen to expand, zoom in for more detail, or click on a marker for a link to the post.
Big Sky Walker 
Hi Rod, This sounds like it’s going to be a great blog. I really enjoyed your first 4 posts and look forward to reading more. Montana is high on my list of places to visit and hope to finally get there next summer. I do lots of hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking around the Vancouver area (not quite as extreme as some of your adventures) and enjoy sharing them on my blog.
Happy New Year! Caroline
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Hi Rod! I live in Great Falls and have done many of similar hikes here already and always searching for people to get out with.
Jaye
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Sir, good meeting you on the Mount Helena trails this morning!
The scouting that my daughter and I are involved in, and which you saw me in uniform for, is called BPSA-US (Baden-Powell Service Association). Also if you’re ever curious I run a blog (not nearly as professional) about wildlife on the airport where I work. (http://thewildairport.blogspot.com)
Thanks again for sharing your blog, I’ll have take a closer look when I get some more time.
– Clint
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Hi Rod, nice meeting you on Mt. Helena the other day (I had on the bright orange hat, we spoke at the summit). We’ve just moved to the area and I will definitely check out your blog for some hiking suggestions. Hope to see you out there again.
Dave
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It was nice to meet you as well. Welcome to Montana! If you like hiking, you’re going to like living in Helena. Happy trails!
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I really liked your hiking tour and editing on your trip to Ear Mountain. Not to mention the photos. Would like to continue following you on your adventures. Thank you.
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Hi Rod, I have been reading your stuff for a few years. You give great and detailed information. Just wanted to say I really enjoy all of it. Much appreciated! We’d certainly love it if you joined our Great Falls Hiking Group on facebook to share some of your knowledge/expertise.
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