I am not saying you cannot enjoy music while you hike. I am simply suggesting that the majestic, silent solitude of the Bridger Mountains is not the place to share your curated “Deep House Chill Vibes” playlist with the entire drainage.

When I moved here in 2019, I learned very quickly that the only soundtrack necessary for a hike is the sound of your own heavy breathing and the wind through the pines. If you need a beat to help you navigate a switchback, perhaps the trail is not the right venue for your cardio. We are all here to escape the noise of the city, only to find that the city has brought its own speakers to the summit.

Please, keep your rhythm to yourself. The mountain does not need a backing track, and honestly, neither do I.