The hike was full, then people started dropping like flies. Too bad they missed this gorgeous hike, out of the wind, on a gorgeous day.

We parked at the Belt Creek Ranger Station for our hike up this beautiful creek. We went about 1.5 mile up the hill before turning around at the last livestock gate, right before we broke into the open area. We decided it wouldn't be very good to get out in the open as we would be exposed to the wind that had been dropping blizzards of snow from the trees at intervals, causing us to cover our faces until it stopped.

Otherwise, the hike was magical, taking us through old growth forest, covered in fresh powder. The snow wasn't deep at all,making us think we could have been fine in ice cleats or yaktrax instead of the heavier, bulkier snowshoes.

Kuntzie did a marvelous job of trail finding since no one else except rabbits, a coyote and a few deer had traveled up this coulee since the snow fell. She complained a bit when the animal tracks occasionally disappeared.

Since we all wanted to get back to town early, we didn't stop to eat. However, we did stop at the Cougar Canyon to drop off a donation in lieu of attending the benefit for the owners.  We lamented the demise of the Lazy Doe and the Cabin and hope that this new restaurant that inhabits the old Cub's Den will be able to make it.

We left at 8:30 in the morning and returned to town around 2.

Who went: Jeanne, Kuntzie and Katie

We prayed for good roads, not a sure thing in December in Montana, but we got our wish for the final drive to a favorite restaurant, just ahead of a predicted storm.  

The Lighthouse was one of our favorite places to eat after a long day hike in beloved Glacier, a great finish to many wonderful days shared with friends.This eating establishment had been for sale for a while, with no takers, so the owner's son purchased it and plans to turn it into living quarters for a summer home. The last day will be New Year's Eve.

So, of course, we had to say goodbye with a final meal, which wasn't an easy thing to do. Katie called in October and already the slots were booked for large groups. Finally, the owner found one day where he could accommodate 10 people: Dec. 13. We had hoped for a weekend so that we could fit in a hike ahead of time, but no such luck. But that didn't deter the gals who had to make it a long day after work.

We did have a half hour wait in the bar, giving us time to visit and look at the few remaining wood carving pieces the owner had left in the showcase--not many at all.

So 10 of us headed up at 4:45 for a laughter-filled dinner of chicken, halibut, walleye, blue-cheese steak, apple walnut salad with salmon and mud pie for dessert. Everything was wonderful, tender and perfectly done. Doris, who is from Valier and Christi, from Conrad, reminisced about the restaurant. Christi remembered how popular it was for prom dates.  And Kuntzie snagged a menu as a souvenir.

Then on the way home, we were treated to the Geminid meteor shower, the best of the year, the comets streaking past our front window until we arrived back in Great Falls at around 10 p.m.

Goodbye, old friend, we will miss you after the trail.

Who went: Christi, Mary S, Kuntzie, Maria, Deb, Roni, El, Sue, Doris, and Katie