Three Gals Enjoy Solitude along Crawford Creek
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