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Clary Coulee--Rocky Mt. FrontLength: Approximately 4 miles total
Elevation gain: 1600 feet, (160 flights of stairs) Meet: 8 a.m. Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 7 hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 85 miles, 1.75 hours, 3 miles on gravel road Age limit: 8 and up in good shape; children with legal guardian Max. Number: 13 Difficulty Level: Moderately difficult Coordinator: Travis Rixford and Jon Edwards Note: Bear spray required This is a great hike in the foothills of the Rocky Mountain Front that ends with a fantastic view of the plains. We will hike an established Forest Service trail that passes through remnants of an old wildfire and various segments of timbered forest. The area offers an abundance of wildflowers, birds and small and large mammals. Please be sure to bring good, preferably waterproof, hiking boots, backpack with three liters of water, sunscreen, and high energy snacks and food. The hike is rated as difficult based on elevation gain, so it is important that all hikers be in shape and used to walking over uneven terrain and have good ankle strength. Notes: This is grizzly bear country; please bring bear spray and be bear aware. This is an early season hike, so there may be sections of trail that are snow covered or muddy. Muddy Creek Falls--RM FrontLength: 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: 500 feet (50 flights of stairs) Meet: 8 a.m. Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 8 hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 90 miles, 2 hours, 38 miles dirt road Age limit: 10 and up in good shape; children with legal guardian Max. Number: 15 Difficulty Level: Difficult for uneven terrain Coordinator: Barb Long Note: Bear spray required; rough gravel road. SUV advised. This hike is a one-of-a-kind experience in the Rocky Mountain Front that ends in a fantastic waterfall. The trek starts on an old road, passing an old capped gas well, but quickly enters a slot canyon. You will follow the dry creek bed, where the water runs underground, but as the canyon narrows, you will reach the point where the creek emerges above the ground. Finally, the slot comes to a dead end against giant boulders with the falls spilling from overhead. In the alcove, it will be quite cool in the shadows, so we will put on our jackets while we enjoy our lunch sitting on the large rocks by the falls. Be sure to bring your sandals or water shoes to wade into the pool at the bottom of the falls for the full effect of the cascading spray! This hike has off-trail sections, and requires hikers to step over boulders and stream-bed rocks with uneven footing. Good footwear is a must. Notes: This is grizzly bear country; please bring bear spray and be bear aware. This is an early season hike, so there may be sections of trail that are snow covered. The road is rough gravel and two track at times. SUV advised. |
Rogers PassLength: 3.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet (100 flights of stairs) Meet: 8:30 a.m. Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 7 hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 69 miles, 1.25 hours Age limit: 10 and up in good shape; children with legal guardian Max. Number: 15 Difficulty Level: Difficult for steepness Coordinators: Kathy Meier and Cathy Kuntz Note: Bear spray required Join Kathy Meier and Cathy Kuntz for a hike along the Continental Divide Trail where the coldest temperature in the lower 48 states was recorded. The pass was named for A.B. Rogers, a surveyor who discovered this saddle in 1887. Wildflowers will line our path all the way and culminate in a glorious display of alpine flowers including thousands of forget-me-nots on the ridge top. Hike is steep, so please be in shape for hiking for two hours uphill. Notes: This is grizzly bear country; please bring bear spray and be bear aware. This is an early season hike, so there may be sections of trail that are snow covered. Gaiters may help. Crown Butte All-Women's HikeLength: 5 miles
Elevation gain: 1000 feet (100 flights of stairs) Meet: 9 am Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 6 hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 35 miles, 50 minutes Age limit: 8 and up in good shape; girls with legal guardian Max. Number: 15 Difficulty Level: Difficult for steepness and length Coordinators: Mary Somerfeld, Ida Johnson and Lindy Hatcher Note: High-clearance vehicles required Come climb Crown Butte to find 360-degree views of where the Rocky Mountain Front mountains meet the plains. This butte is a unique example of a laccolith with gorgeous shonkinite formations covered in lime-green lichen. Eagle catches and teepee rings can be found on the butte along with native Montana grasses and a Nature Conservancy plaque. If we are lucky, we will catch a glimpse of the mule deer herd that inhabits the valleys on the butte. High clearance vehicles required. Hikers will have to use their hands to get to the top. Hike will be changed to Rodgers Peak if it rains, due to gumbo roads. Square ButteLength: 5 miles
Elevation gain: 1000 feet (100 flights of stairs) Meet: 9 a.m. Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 7 Hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 30 miles. 45 minutes Age limit: 16 and up; children with legal guardian Max. Number: 12 Difficulty Level: Difficult , with uneven footing and cliffs Coordinators: Mike Dannells and Camille Consolvo Note: This is snake country; hike has a precarious portion Follow Camille Consolvo and Mike Dannells for a hike to the top of the iconic Square Butte near Cascade for panoramic views of the surrounding area. This hike is by permission of the private landowner; the group is expected to stay together, coming and going. In the event of rain, the road may not be drivable and hike may be canceled. Hike is in tick and rattlesnake country, so bring your walking stick. Hike requires some scrambling over rocks with exposure due to a recent rock slide. Those with a fear of heights should avoid this hike. |