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Orchids on Pioneer Ridge, June 23, 2014

6/24/2014

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Fairy slippers/calypso, coralroot highlight fields of flowers

PictureCalypso Orchids or Fairy Slippers
Nine gals took a very quick trip up "orchid alley" on Pioneer Ridge in the Little Belts, beating the rain but not by much.We also were treated to a morel mushroom. The fairy slippers were in bunches, which is unusual, as we find them in singles or just a few at a time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see so many clustered together over a quarter-mile stretch of trail.

The meadows also didn't disappoint, as we counted over 40 different kinds of flowers scattered among the grasses and on the trail side.

We also saw Wister's coralroot or early or spring coralroot, one that is easy to miss due to its small flower size.

Check out the flowers we saw by viewing the slideshow below.

Who went: Cathy K, Kathy D, Kathy M, Maddie, Katie, Rachelle, JoAnn, Bonnie, Nancy B

Kathy M's pics

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Waterfalls and More Waterfalls, June 21, 2014

6/23/2014

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Apikuni, Red Rocks and Wilbur Falls lure gals despite flooding, closures

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With much of Glacier still closed due to a "weather event" that dropped two feet of snow and rain on much of the park, the GiG had to change plans from Baring/St. Mary/Virginia Falls to the Many Glacier area.  However, we still ran into trouble, with Swift Current creek outside its banks, causing us either to take our shoes off and ford the stream or wade through and hope the water didn't go over the top of our waterproof boots.

Despite the detour, we had a lovely day, loaded with wildlife  First, a jaunt up the short, but steep, Apikuni (Appekunny) falls, which was gushing over the rock wall and still held a bit of snow in its crevices. A herd of bighorn sheep, all ewes and kids, gave quite a display as they jumped from a rocky ledge to the edge of the creek trying to cross at the foot of the falls. Curious picture takers kept them from coming across.  Two of our gals, the ones in the lead going to the falls, scared up a ram on the other side of the creek. Besides one other group of hikers, we were the only ones on the trail, until the return trip.

A few of the gals braved a very steep embankment to get better views and chase the ram to see if they could see where he had gone. They came across a petrified forest, similar to the one on Scenic Point in the Two Med area, comprised of dead limber pine. Flowers dotted the trail and provided the most variety of the day --see our sidebar for the different kinds.

The side trails produced gorgeous views on this cloudy day, worthy of postcards. Memorable birds included common mergansers, blue birds and American dippers/water ousels.   

On our descent, we encountered a female moose and her calf, that between us and the people starting the trail, were quickly spooked into the trees so we didn't get any pictures. She was nearly at the parking lot.

When we finished the hike, we heard from a ranger that they had opened the Going-to-the-Sun highway to Jackson Glacier Overlook, so we had a decision to make: stay in the Many Glacier area or head to St. Mary and Virginia falls--we wouldn't be able to do the full loop, due to the Many Glacier side trip. We decided to stay in Many and go to Red Rock falls since several of the gals had never hiked to it. Our decision was not a mistake!.

As we headed to the Swift Current parking lot, a cinnamon-colored black bear crossed the road right in front of us and then rummaged around in the trees. Again, no one could get a camera out as most had them in the trunk with their packs.

After a quick rest stop at Swift Current, we were back on the trail, where we soon met up with the creek over the banks and had to cross about 100 feet of not-very-deep, but oh-so-cold water. All but three took off their boots for the crossing. After this ordeal, we stopped at Fishercap Lake for lunch and then headed to Red Rocks, where we were treated to blue camas flowers and two deer.  Katie forgot her lunch, but the gals all ponied up and shared theirs so she had enough.  What a great bunch to be hiking with. Due to the creek crossing, we were the only people on the trial until we hit Red Rocks falls itself and the return trip. As Chrissie said, "The flooding kept the riffraff away."

After the hiking, around seven miles with the side trips, we ate at the Many Glacier Hotel in the Interlaken Lounge at just after 4 p.m. Those who had the lentil burger recommend it and the carrot cake.The rest of the food was okay.During our dining time, we heard hoots coming from the bar area and discovered that the soccer match between the United States and Portugal was on, with Portugal leading 1-0. Every time the States made a shot on goal, we heard more hollers followed by sighs of disappointment.  When the U.S. tied the score, the whole place went crazy and we joined in the celebration too by shouting our approval and clapping.

Toni scored pictures with two young men: the chef and a bellhop in lederhosen, so she was happy. Our last stop of the day was in Valier for Wilcoxson huckleberry ice cream sandwiches. We arrived back at the DOB at just after nine.
After much debate and changes in destination, the day turned out wonderfully after all. The saying about not giving up until you reach the trail head turned out to be true
Who went:.Gail, Chrissie, Kathy M, Sue, Toni, Jo Ann, Catherine, Katie

Link to Katie's pics
Link to Kathy M's pics

Flowers we saw: 50 different kinds

Arnica
Alumroot
American vetch
Arrowleaf balsamroot
Baneberry
Beargrass
Bistort
Black twinberry
Blue camas
Blue Violet
Brook Saxifrage
Buckbrush
Buckwheat
Canada Violet
Clematis/Virgin's bower
Dotted Saxifrage
Elderberry
Elk thistle
False Solomon seal
Fern-leaved parsley
Glacier lilies
Globe flower
Groundsel
Huckleberry
Indian paintbrush
Jacob's ladder
Lily of the Valley/Star false    
    Solomon seal
Lousewort
Lupine
Many-flowered stickseed
Mariposa/Sego lily
Nine-leaved biscuitroot
Pasque flower
Potentilla/Cinquefoil
Prairie smoke/old man whiskers
Prince's Pine
Red Raspberry
Service berry/Saskatoon
Shooting star
Shrubby Cinquefoil/Pointentilla
Sticky geranium
Stoneseed/Western gromwell
Utah honeysuckle/red twinberry
Western meadow rue
Western tobacco-root/Valerian
Wild iris
Woods/Mountain forget-me-not
Woods pussytoes
Yellow beardtongue penstemon
Yellow violet



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Wild Women Wildflower Hike to Flesher Pass, June 16

6/16/2014

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MWA hike showers give way to flowers

Who went: Sara B., Toni B. and Margie H.

On a very chilly, rainy morning two Girls in Glacier plus a friend were off to Flesher Pass, located on the Continental Divide, elevation 6131 feet.  We met up with 15 other wild women in pursuit of wildflowers. 

We did not let the light rain or cold temps hamper our quest. So among the moss covered trees we were off with our guides, Martha and Mary, who were very knowledgeable and informative on the wildflowers, and had been studying wildflowers together for a long time. 
Pictures courtesy of Toni B


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Flesher Pass Evening Hike, June 12

6/16/2014

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Thunder, Lightning, Rainbows and Flowers

Braving possible rain, 10 gals headed to Flesher pass for an after-work hike on a Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m.. We saw many wildflowers and did get a shower, which didn't soak us too badly; however, the lightning and thunder gave us pause when we were out in the open.  

The first half of the hike was beautiful, with many biscuit root, Indian paintbrush, heart-leaved arnica and shooting stars among many other blooms dotting the meadows. We ate dinner standing up for fear of ticks on a beautiful outcropping of rocks that lent itself to 180 degree views along the Continental Divide trail. 

As the clouds darkened and the rain threatened, we decided to turn around instead of continuing up the trail another half hour.  And we did get a bit wet on the return trip, necessitating rain gear.  However, as we arrived back at the trailhead, a full rainbow presented itself, putting a nice touch to the end of our hike. We arrived back in town by 9:30.

Who went: Beth, Mary W, Gail, Kathy M, Sue, Cynde (with daughter Emilee), Brenda, Katie, Susan
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Hall Creek in the Badger Two-Medicine 6-14-2014

6/14/2014

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Visit to Sacred Site in Hopes to Protect It

MWA hike leader Kendall Flint led us on a hike up to Hall Creek in the Badger Two-Medicine area, just outside Glacier Park, in an area the Blackfeet hold sacred that is being threatened with mining and oil development.

Our group hiked the eight miles in and back to the site of where the Blackfeet hold sweat lodge ceremonies, the rocks and shovels marking the site, nestled among the wildflowers and huckleberry bushes.

Who went: Catherine and Katie
Link to Katie's pictures

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Rogers Pass for Get Fit Great Falls National Trails Day, June 7, 2014

6/10/2014

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Kathy, Susan and Mary lead 17 up Roger's pass

It was a lovely spring day to head up to Roger's Pass with 17 women including 7 year old Meredith, Kathy M's niece. What a trooper! She was our little recorder, documenting the wildflowers in her little journal! As we trekked up to the top, I spotted some Chocolate Lilies along the way and made sure I took plenty of photos. I don't recall seeing these very often, and I think I've only seen a Chocolate Lily once on our hike to Mount Helena. Once we got to the top, we made sure we took plenty of photos and had our lunch. Susan W and her daughter and friends continued to hike to the next 2 peaks while the rest of us waited. Susan said the view was awesome! Susan's next peak will be  Mount Everest! On our way back to the car, Catherine mentioned that it was her birthday so we made sure we sang, "Happy Birthday" to her when we got back to the trail head. What a lovely day! Lovely ladies on this hike! Kathy M, Mary and Susan led the hike.  Anita, Catherine and Toni also came.
Check out the pictures and the chocolate lily!
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Rogers Pass after Work, June 3, 2014

6/4/2014

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Girls Miss the Storm Again

Picture
While rain and hail pelted Great Falls, the GIG headed to Rogers Pass with nary a drop!  

As we drove to the pass, we saw two storms brewing, one on each side of the road, which tossed our cars back and forth with competing winds, yet straight ahead toward the pass was sunny. Interestingly, when we arrived at the pass, another car was there and another pulled up as a group of gals from Seeley just finished a walk through along the trail and were retrieving their car.

After donning our gear, we stopped for a quick pic at the sign, then 10 of us made the 800-foot climb/three-mile hike to the top of Rogers Pass, and a few others continued along the CDT (Continental Divide Trail) another half mile or so to the top of another small peak.

Along the way, we went through several zones of wildflowers with arnica, holly/Oregon grape, and larkspur predominating at the beginning of the hike followed by glacier lilies, spring beauties and shooting stars in the snowy zone, followed by the alpine zone of alpine forget-me-nots, rock jasmine, yellowstone draba, pasque flowers and cous biscuitroot/lomatia

At a small outcropping of rocks that provided a bit of wind shelter just over the pass, we ate dinner and snacks while a few continued on. On the way down the trail, we saw a big pile of moose droppings that weren't there on the way up, but we didn't see him or any other critters on our hike; however, we did see much sign of grizzlies digging in the dirt and turning over rocks, and the meadow voles made their traditional network of surface tunnels under the snow cover, which had melted to reveal them.


Speaking of snow, we did have two small fields to cross and/or go around, but none of the GIG had any problems. Thank heavens for trekking poles.


On the way home, we were treated to beautiful views of the buttes in the sunset.

We left the DOB parking lot at 4:45 and arrived back at 9:40.

Who went: June, Kathy D, Sara, Jo Ann, Beth, Shelly (with sister-in-law Chris), Susan, Katie, Sue
Right click on any photo to download it.
Link to Katie's pictures
Link to Beth's pics

Flowers we saw

  •  arnica 
  •  arrowleaf balsamroot 
  •  ballhead waterleaf 
  •  bistort bluebells 
  •  bue-eyed mary
  •  clematis/virgin's bower 
  •  cous biscuitroot
  •  cut-leaf daisy 
  •  douglasia 
  •  fairy bells/red twin berry 
  •  false Solomon seal

  •  forget-me-nots, alpine 
  •  groundsel  
  •  huckleberry
  •  Indian paintbrush 
  •  kinickkinick/bearberry 
  •  kitten tails 
  •  larkspur 
  •  mouse-eared chickweed 
  •  nine-leaf biscuit root 
  •  Oregon or holly grape
  •  pasque flower 
  •  phlox 
  •  prairie smoke/old man  whiskers  
  •  raynold's sedge 

  •  rock jasmine 
  •  sedum 
  •  service berry/saskatoon  berry shooting stars 
  •  shrubby cinquefoil/potentilla 
  •  spring beauties 
  •  strawberry 
  •  sugar bowls 
  •  valerian subalpine 
  •  western  stoneseed/gromwell 
  •  yellowstone draba
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