Silvercrest Snowshow Hike, December 15, 2012
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Our last hike of the year 2012 It started out overcast and cold, but the exercise soon warmed the eight of us as we hit the trails, many of us for our first turn on snowshoes. The campfire and hot cocoa also helped us keep our hands and feet cozy. Gerry Jennings led us on a guided hike during this Winterfest celebration at Silvercrest, located on King's Hill in the Little Belts.
After a volunteer-provided lunch of chili, soup, rolls and whatever else we brought ourselves along with coffee and hot cocoa, we headed back out to the trails for another short snowshoe, while two of us tried out cross country skiing on the Big-Horn-Wilderness-provided skis, boots and poles. The sun peaked out from behind the wind-blown clouds, sparkling the snow. We created a few snow angels along the way, and we had a few winners in the drawings: Kathy D, a Cliff Bar T-shirt; Kathy M, a hat; Katie, a $10 gift card to Scheel's. On the way home, we spotted a bald eagle as we enjoyed the beautiful sunny scenery. Who went? Katie, Kathy D, Kathy Meier, Bobbi, Sara, Christi, Toni, and Nancy B. Link to Katie's pictures Link to Kathy M's pictures |
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Memorial Falls Snowshoe, December 2012
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We hiked to Memorial Falls and then onto Upper Memorial Falls as well as about a half mile farther up the creek. Our snowshoe wasfFollowed by soak in White Sulphur Springs.
Who went? Bobbi, Christi, Kathy M and Katie Kotynski Kathy M's pictures Katie's Pictures |
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Hike to Tower Rock, December 1, 2012
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Despite some wind, we hiked to the base of Tower Rock, where the Lewis and Clark party gained a view of the valley. Beautiful 50 degree weather otherwise.
Katie Kotynski, Bobby and Katie P were the three who were up for a winter hike. |
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Crooked Falls Snowshoe, Nov. 11, 2012,
Several of us tried snowshoeing for the first time. We were going to go to Whitmore Ravine but the strong wind kept us to Crooked Falls for our first outing.
Here are Kathy Meier's photos Who went? Katie, Kathy D. Kathy M, Janel, El |
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Crown Butte - November, 3, 2012
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Despite a flat tire and a dead battery on Kelly's car--thank goodness for a kind farmer--sorry we didn't get your name, we had a grand time, hiking the six miles to Crown Butte and all along the Shonkinite rim, shimmering with lime-green lichen. The views were 360 degrees. We could see Birdtail, Shaw and Haystack Butte and the entire Rocky Mountain Front with its dusting of snow.
Seven gals plus Kelly's two little ones made the climb on this windy Montana Saturday: El, Sue, Chrissie, Katie, Kathy M, Nancy and Kelly. We had our youngest hiker ever with Sydney at 19 months, followed by a close runner up in her six-year-old sister Meredith. Check out our pictures: Click for all of Katie's pictures Kathy Meier's pictures Such a great day!! Even though it was windy, we sure got a good look at the Big Sky Country of Montana! After we got some help to get Kelly's van back on the road, my niece, Meredith, wanted to post her story about the "Wooly Caterpillar!" El found a wooly caterpillar and showed it to Meredith. Here is her story: Once upon a time there was a little caterpillar, and it crawled and crawled until it didn't know where he was. He found a rock and sat on it. He cried and said, "Boo Hooo! I don't know where I am!" Then his friend came and brought him to his home! The End! Click here for El's Pictures What a wonderful day!! Even though the wind was terrible we got a view of the Big Sky like no where else! Our State is so beautiful. Going out on our hikes has given me a complete new perspective of what our state looks like up close and personal. I come home each time going wow, wow what beautiful things I have beheld once again. Thanks Meredith for your wonderful story about our wooly worm. I sure hope he found his family and is once again warm and comfortable. Thanks everyone for a wonderful day. Blessings to all. |
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Scenic Point, September 30, 2012
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Scenic Point 2012On a hazy fall day, Kathy M, Katie Kotynski and Kelly climbed Scenic Point in the Two Med area. Sue had an unfortunate RV breakdown so couldn't join us. The lovely fall day was in the 60s, a bit breezy, especially on top, but displayed gorgeous fall colors. After we descended the mountain, we had about an hour to kill before Serrano's opened so we hiked part way around the South shore of Two Medicine Lake.
Enjoy our pictures. Kathy's pics Katie's pics |
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Middle Fork of the Judith, September 22, 2012
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Middle Fork of the Judith River 9.22.12 A hot, dusty day gave way to beauty as the fall colors wowed the eyes of our group of 24 (eight GIG gals) when we dropped into the limestone canyon. Highlights were the arch and the caves along the bushwack section of the hike. It was alarming to see all of the damage from ATVs carving up the trails and driving in the river bed.
Who went: El, Katie, Mary, Sue, Kathy M, Chrissie, Nancy and our member-for-a-day Colette from Big Sandy. Link to Katie's pictures Link to Sue's pictures Link to Kathy M's pictures Link to El's pictures |
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Our Lake, September 8, 2012
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A bit smoky but a great day in the 70s,perfect for hiking. The fall colors were starting, especially on the fireweed. We came across some friends on the trail back down, but otherwise, we had the lake to ourselves as we enjoyed our lunch. No one else around, so it was a pretty special feeling to be in nature with no other humans at the lake. The waterfall was dry in the upper falls while the lower falls had a trickle. We hiked all the way around the lake and had lunch at the far end.Thanks for great friends to share the trail with.
Who went: Katie, Bobbi and Sue Link to Sue's photos Link to Katie's photos |
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Grinnell Glacier August 25, 2012
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Grinnell Glacier, August 25, 2012
Who went
To cap our hiking season, we all made it to the glacier, and we got on the boat, even though we were all on a waiting list--Glad we didn't have to walk the extra miles around the lake in griz country. It sure was good to see a former student manning the boat dock and getting us off the wait list and holding real tickets! Thanks for helping us, James. The day was glorious, with sun and a breeze, and although the group on the first boat was large, the rest of the day we really didn't see that many people. I am still in awe of Grinnell Glacier and everything in the entire Park: the mountains, the lakes, the wildflowers and wildlife. I love to hike with all of you ladies, seeing everyone having a great time. At the end of the day, a great meal at the Swift Current Inn followed by pie for strength at the Park Cafe, even though they were out of my favorite, Razzleberry pie (and out of many others too)! Link to El's Photos What an exciting day this was!!! I barely made it back down for the boat ride back to the hotel, but I made it regardless. I can say that today August 27th I am still sore but it will subside with time. All I can say it was worth all the pain to be able to see the glacier. The sight of first seeing the Grinnell Glacier was breath taking, I thought this must be a dream; I really can't be up here. But, I was at the top and I was seeing it. The color of the water in Grinnell Lake is truly amazing. Comparing the water from Swift Current to the water in Grinnell Lake is unbelievable. The entire day was incredibly beautiful, temperatures were excellent for the hike. Here is a link to Kathy M's folder: I tell you what, Glacier Park is the most beautiful place on this planet. I felt like I was in a dream....in heaven! Really, being with all of you ladies is such a blessing as well!! |
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Sluice Boxes, August 19, 2012, To the Tunnel and Beyond (all the way through)
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Who went? Mary, Katie, Patti
After shuttling cars to Logging Creek (and a bit of a mix up on which way to turn), we started the hike by 9:30 and ended at 3:00. It was a tough hike, with many prickles and potential danger to avoid with poison ivy, rose bushes, raspberries and in general many brambles. We had to find the trail at many points and had about 10 stream crossings. Seeing the old ghost town and remainders of the mining sites (ore cars, smelters) and waste rock is always interesting. Poking our heads in old homes, we discovered kitchen utensils, bed frames and an old stove. Link to Katie's Pictures |
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Iceberg Lake in Many Glacier with Optional Stayover in Two Medicine, July 2012
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A rainy day didn't stop the fun and camaraderie on this hike. Along with wildflowers, we saw a moose and two bears on the trail to Iceberg Lake, a 10-mile hike, up and back, in the Many Glacier area of Glacier Park. After starting out at 5 a.m from Great Falls., we hit the trail at 8:30 and ended the hike by 3:30. We started out with the ranger but the group dispersed when the rain started to fall. Then a quick tour of the Many Glacier Hotel to see the rennovated dining room, the gift store and the pictures of the glaciers "then and now," we had a yummy meal at Two Sisters. The Southern-Fried Caprese salad special with basic/garlic aoli was an excellent choice.
Highlights of the trip
Three of us stayed on in East Glacier (two at Brownie's Hostel in the Family Room and one at the Mountain Pine) and then took the boat trip across the lake at 9 a.m., hiked to Twin Falls and then around the lake, fitting in the quarter-mile side trip to Aster Falls after crossing the hanging bridge. Then a short drive to Running Eagle Falls (Trick Falls) completed the two-day adventure. Kathy Meier's Pictures El's Pictures: What a great time we had even with all the rain, the day couldn't have ended better. Seeing 2 bears, a moose, a mama deer with her two fawns was fantastic. Getting into dry clothes was the best feeling after being in total wet clothes for 3 1/2 hours or more. A good night's rest and a good breakfast at The Whistle Stop restaurant (great Spinach Omelet) gave me enough energy for the hike to Twin Falls, around the South side of Two Medicine Lake and ending the day by hiking another little side trip to Running Eagle Falls. What a great time!!!! Link to all of Katie's pictures. Who went? Katie K, El, Bobbi, Kathy D, Nancy, Kathy Meier, Beth, Cassie, Brittany,Sue |
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Bullhead Lake in Many Glacier, August 4, 2013
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A bluebird day in Many Glacier was the backdrop to our hike to Fishercap Lake, Red Rock Lake, Red Rock Falls and ultimate destination to Bullhead lake. We continued to the far end or Bullhead lake to view the trail ascending to Swiftcurrent pass. it was a total of 10 miles round trip. We narrowly missed seeing three grizzlies as reported from other hikers as they went up or down the trail as well as a family of moose, whose new tracks we saw in the mud. One grizzly had run across the west end of the lake and left tracks on the bottom that we could clearly see. Besides pesky ground squirrels, two deer and two goats on the far cliffs at Red Rock falls, we didn't see any wildlife on the trails.
On the way home, we decided to travel the Looking Glass Highway and have dinner at Serrano's in East Glacier. Yum! Who went? Katie Kotynski, Kathy M and El Take a look at our pics! Katie's pics Kathy Meier's link to pictures What an incredible day! El's Pictures: What a wonderful hike!!! |
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Muddy Creek Falls, July 29, 2012
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Muddy Creek Falls, Rocky Mountain Front, July 29, 2012This hike is behind Bynum in the Black Leaf Wildlife Management area. It is a bit tricky to find, with many turns and a dead end on a little-used two-track road. Our day was very hot, and the falls and creek were drier than normal. We ended the day with a visit to the Rock Shop in Bynum and an ice cream in Choteau.
Who went? Mary Patti Katie El El's Pictures: Katie's pictures |
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Sluice Boxes Evening Hike, June 2012
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An evening hike after work to the Sluice Boxes proved to be an eye opener for those who were not familiar with this quick getaway, just 40 minutes from Great Falls.
With obstacles such as rose bushes, poison ivy,rickety bridges and trestles and bushwacking through little-traveled paths. But following the old railroad bed to the tunnel along the limestone canyon was beautiful and challenged our route-finding skills. Who went?Katie Kotynski Janel Leanne Chrissie Kathy Meier Kathy D Mary Sue Katie's Pictures Kathy Meier's pictures |
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Whitewater and Waterfalls, St. Mary, June 2012
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St. Mary, Virginia and Baring Falls, Paired with RaftingWho went?
El Katie Kotynski Kathy Meier Kathy D Mary El's pictures: This was my very first white water rafting experience. It was one of the [[#|best]] experiences I've ever had. Seeing the Falls was spectacular! So much fun!! Katie's Pictures Kathy's Pictures: |
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Two Medicine in Glacier, June 2012
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Who went?
El Katie Kotynki Kathy D Kathy Meier Bobbi Janel El's Pictures: 06/09/2012 : My first hike in many years! Katie's Pictures Kathy Meier's pictures: |
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North Shore Trail, June 2012
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2012 North Shore Trail:Ryan Dam to Morony Dam
Who went? Katie, El, Kathy D, Nancy, Sue Highlights Very hot day Saw a Monarch butterfly A helicopter kept buzzing us and circling above the whole trip (homeland security?) We saw a bull snake (but no rattlers, thank goodness) An incident with one of us under the power lines El's Pictures: What a beautiful evening for a short hike. Katie's pics |
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Rogers Pass, June 2012
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Roger's Pass and Alpine Flowers
Who went?, El, Katie, Paula, Maddie, Chrissie, Kathy Meier, Jeanette, Kathy D, Sue This quick up-and-back was an evening hike that gave us a glorious look at over 30 wild flower varieties, culminating in a host of alpine forget-me-nots at the top of the pass. High winds curtailed our time at the top, so we didn't enjoy the views as we normally would. Most of us agreed that we won't go over Roger's Pass again without at least thinking about a quick trip up the pass. The flowers are best mid to late June. We left the school district at 4:30 and returned at 9:30, so it was perfect for a summer evening. The drive takes just over an hour. Kathy's Pictures El's Pictures "I'll huff and I'll puff until I get to the top". Ha Ha and that is exactly what I did I huffed and I puffed and I did not think that I would make it to the top, but I did and oh my what a garden of flowers greeted me as I finally scaled the last bend. I may have been nearly dead but the beauty of it all must surely have revived me as I am still here to talk about it. This was a ruff walk for me, but worth every step |
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Lost Lake, June 2012
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