Five of the GiG headed out on an MWA hike along the Middle Fork of the Judith River out of Utica for a snowshoe down the limestone canyon and cliffs overlooking Yogo Creek and the river. We met up with others at the Oxen Yoke before going to the trailhead at 10 a.m. (we had to wait 40 minutes for one person who didn't show up).

After we arrived at the starting place and put on our gear, we headed out toward the pictographs, following the river, enjoying the limestone caves cut into the cliffs on either side of the banks. However, the ice became too precarious to continue, Cathy fell through ice and snow, but luckily she had tall waterproof boots on. Tnen one of our hike leader created a large cracking boom with his footsteps where the canyon narrows, at which point, it was decided to turn around and not continue.

So we backtracked and then continued on to Yogo crossing, where motorized and non-motorized paths connect. This nice broad area in the sun provided a nice lunch spot. We then continued down Yogo creek and some decided to continue even further to where the road overlooks the river. Three headed back to the cars, not wanting to hike the extra mile. This extra part had many ups and downs with not much snow, so we ditched our snowshoes for part of it. However, there was one very icy section on a steep up- and then downhill. Those with yaktrax or other ice cleats were happy to have them.

Also during this last section, we can across a deer carcass just below a cliff. We surmised that a mountain lion had crouched above and jumped down on the unsuspecting deer as it traveled down the road to the river for water. Cathy had fun pretending it was her dinner.

Our real dinner included Garbage Burgers at the Oxen Yoke (the burgers have grilled onions, mushrooms, bacon and cheese plus jalapenos if you like). We were very surprised that such a small establishment could handle our large group of 15 plus the other four full tables and those sitting at the bar. Our food arrived quickly and all at once. Our waitress was able to keep up with our drink orders and "extras" that we requested.

On the way back to Great Falls, we were treated to a gorgeous sunset highlighting the Highwood mountains and Square Butte.

Who went: Sara, Gail, Cathy, Susan, Katie  NOTE: Sara earned her way into the 100-Milers Club on this hike

It was a frosty inversion day with temps in Great Falls at 11 degrees when we headed out at 8:30 a.m., but the temperature slowly rose as we climbed King's Hill to a balmy 22 at 10 a.m. when we hit the trail. By the end of the day, the thermometer would register a tropical 36 but fall to 14 when we arrived in Great Falls at just after 4 p.m.

The drive was interesting with much fog and much smog from wood stoves settling in over the Belt valley. On King's Hill, the day started sunny with absolutely no wind, but a cloud hung over the area producing slight snowfall.  We all marveled over the complete silence in the absence of even a breeze.

This trail was a first for the gals. It starts on the O'Brien Creek trail, dips down to Silvercrest  E-Loop and then has a killer-climb up the Powerline trail back to the parking lot. Once you hit the bottom, the area is multi use, but this being a weekday, we didn't encounter any snowmobiles until the very end of our hike, near the parking lot.  However, we did observe one other person on what appeared to be snowshoes, way up the power line ahead of us.

We may not have liked the steepness of the incline on the Powerline trail, but we enjoyed using our televators, some of us for the very first time. The televators really do help on vertical slopes. Of course, having the uphill at the end of the hike was a bit of a challenge but everyone made it to the top with relative ease.

This trail probably could be dangerous on weekends as many sleds will be whizzing around the power poles. 

After the 4.5-mile day, we drove to Bob's bar for sandwiches and sweet potato fries.

On a side note, this was Doris's first time out after her hand surgery and she did well!  She only felt some slight pain in her wrists. And this was the GiG's first trip out for 2016! Happy new year.

Who went: Randi, Susan, Doris, Gail and Katie