First Hike of Year to Silver Crest and Memorial Falls on Sunny Day
 This winter, it seems we just can't catch a break in the weather. It has been below zero and blowing hard. With already three snowshoe hikes cancelled, we were eager to get out for some sun and exercise. So seven of us headed up to Silver Crest to hike the new trail and then on to Memorial Falls. The day started out at 8:30, a very frosty -3 degrees in the 4B's parking lot, with the temps reading 6 above in Neihart. So we hoped the predictions were right that it would be warmer at King's Hill than in Great Falls. The prediction proved true. It was 11 degrees when we hit the trail at 10:15 a.m. We happened to meet up with fellow GiG member Camille and her husband Mike who also were going to travel the new trail, timing to see how long it would take. They went the loop starting from the left while we took the right. Luckily, the trail was already broken. Kuntzie had been on it the week before with a group and Katie two weeks ago, so the going was pretty smooth. However, the lack of snow (some are saying the least amount ever recorded), kept us watching our feet for branches, small trees, rocks and other obstacles sticking out or just barely covered on the trail. Other than a few whoopsie-daisies due to the objects, it was a glorious day, cold but with enough sun to keep us warm. We made the loop in good time, under two hours for the three miles with a 20-minute snack break at the warming hut. Then it was on to Memorial Falls to see the frozen beauty. The road department has been plowing the parking lot this year, so we didn't have to hike the highway from the Jefferson Creek pull out, thankfully. After admiring the pretty, icy waterfall and the crystallized creek bank, we headed to Bob's Bar in Neihart for lunch, which included huckleberry cream drinks all around and sweet potato fries. Who went: Cathy, Sue, Randi, Roni, Gail, Mary S, Katie |
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