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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. First People's Buffalo JumpLength: 3 miles
Elevation gain: 500 feet (50 flights of stairs) Meet: 9:30 a.m. Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 3 hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 18 miles Age limit: None; children with legal guardian Max. Number: 20 Difficulty level: Moderate Coordinator: Alice Southworth View the famous buffalo jump with Ranger Alice Southworth from the park's loop trail. Tread where ancient bison hunters procured mass quantities of meat and hides. Learn how the First Peoples used native plants to survive on the prairie. Hike is good for active families. View the exhibits in the Visitors’ Center afterwards. Windy Point--HighwoodsLength: 5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet (100 flights of stairs) Meet: 9 a.m. Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 6 hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 45 miles, half on dirt road Age limit: 6 and up if good hikers; children with legal guardian Max. Number: 15 Difficulty level: Moderate Coordinators: Allison Borchert and Kathy Dunn This moderate hike will take participants into the heart of the Highwood Mountains. We will have several small stream crossings as we climb a not-too-steep ridge for views into the lush green valleys and hills of our closest mountain range. We can expect to see a host of spring wildflowers, including shooting stars, arrow-leaf balsamroot and pasque flowers on this hike. The road is a gravel road. All wheel-drive is best. Please note: this hike has several stream crossings. Waterproof boots and gaiters are recommended. Be sure young children are comfortable getting wet. |
Sulphur Springs HikeLength: 3.6 miles
Elevation gain: 500 feet (50 flights of stairs) Meet: 9:30 a.m. Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 4 Hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 17 miles Age limit: 8 and up; children with legal guardian Max. Number: 15 Difficulty Level: Moderate Leaders: Darian Kath and Ray Tetreault Sulphur Springs Trail is part of the Lewis & Clark Trail. It starts at a trailhead next to the Morony Dam (17 mile drive Northeast of Great Falls). Starting from the trailhead, it is a 1.8 mile hike to the Springs site. The terrain crosses through several small coulees. The trail follows the river through a rocky, native prairie landscape.This hike is a guided interpretive walk with topics ranging from native plants to the Lewis and Clark expedition. On this hike you have to be in good physical shape; please bring insect repellent, hiking boots, backpack with about 3 liters of water, sunscreen, and high-energy snacks and food. We will hike at a moderate pace. The distance is 3.6 miles round trip, which we will cover in about three hours. We will take a snack break at the springs. Hikers can expect great views and possibly wildlife, including rattlesnakes. Insect repellent is suggested as there are ticks and mosquitoes: a true Lewis and Clark experience! The hike coordinators are Darian Kath and Ray Tetreault, both staff at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Flesher Pass/Sculpture GardenLength: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 400 feet (40 flights of stairs) Meet: 9 a.m. Gibson Park Bandshell to coordinate caravan Total time: 7 hours Travel Distance to Trailhead: 85 miles, and then 20 to Sculpture Garden Age limit: 6 and up if good hikers; children with legal guardian Max. Number: 15 Difficulty level: Moderate Coordinators: Shelley Liknes, Jo Ann Wright and Catherine Lara Note: Bear Spray required Come hike the CDT: Continental Divide Trail where we can expect to see a host of wildflowers and fantastic views of the Rocky Mountains and their many subranges. This moderate hike in the Helena National Forest is along a raptor flyway, so we may see eagles and hawks, particularly golden eagles. This hike is in grizzly country. Bear spray will be checked at the park and is a must. After we finish our hike at Flesher, we will head down the road to the edge of the town of Lincoln to walk the half-mile trail through the Blackfoot Pathways: International Sculpture Garden to view the artwork. Read more here: http://www.sculptureinthewild.com/ |