Four ticks and a rattle snake do not deter the GiG

Jo Ann, Kathy D, Susan W, Toni, Janel and Katie braved tick season for a hike on the North Shore trail from Morony Dam to Sacajawea Springs. The evening was beautiful with a slight breeze and only a few sprinkles from the threatening clouds.

Along the way, we saw vetch, cous biscuit root, fern-leafed desert parsley, cushion milk vetch, golden pea, and the dried skeletons of last-year's spotted knapweed. The yucca and prickly pear in abundance prickled our ankles

The 3.5 mile hike has some ups and downs, and we stopped at the springs for a snack. Before we reached the springs, Susan spied a rattler in the weeds to the side of the trail and wanted to get a better look while everyone else couldn't wait to get past the snake quickly.  On the way back, Kaite led the group on a short cut to avoid the switch back where the rattler lay, much to Susan's displeasure.

On the way home, we saw deer and antelope in the fields and enjoyed the beautiful skies and clouds in our Big Sky Country backyard.

Thanks to Jo Ann and Janel for driving.