Winter Mountaineering on the Ft. Belknap Reservation – Large Sky Walker
The winter that was.
It’s been an odd winter in north-central Montana – not a lot snow, a lot of wind, and a few brutally chilly weeks in February. I’ve saved busy via all of it, making an attempt to determine find out how to educate science to excessive schoolers on-line throughout the lingering pandemic. Coping with the virus has been difficult for academics however it’s been particularly powerful on our college students who’ve missed out on so lots of the enjoyable issues youngsters usually get to do. For me it’s one tousled 12 months out of forty years of educating, for them it’s certainly one of their 4 years of highschool.
Charging the batteries.
Exploring the attractive panorama of the Fort Belknap Reservation has supplied a pleasant distinction to hours spent educating via a pc display. Early on, I noticed how a lot “getting out” helped me preserve a constructive angle, so I attempted to hike day by day that the Solar was shining and the wind was tolerable – In case you don’t do it within the wind round right here, you don’t do it fairly often! I managed to get out for brief hikes after college two to 3 occasions per week, after which loved an extended one virtually each weekend. As I look again on my listing of adventures, it’s clear that the buttes, canyons, and ridges on the reservation have been superb for me this winter – Hopefully I’ve handed a few of that constructive power onto my college students.
Listed here are the highlights of my 4 most memorable hikes on the reservation this winter, listed so as by the standard of the picture excursions – finest is first.
- Mission Canyon overlook – If there’s a extra rewarding 2-mile hike in Montana, please inform me about it. The trailhead is simply 3 miles from trainer housing, so it’s one which I do typically. In case you discover one place on the reservation Mission Canyon is the place to see, and should you do one hike that is the one to do. (Photograph Tour)
- Three Buttes, above the fog – Fog was within the forecast, so I received up early on Saturday January ninth to make the 15-mile drive to Three Buttes the place I hiked up the tallest one (Center Butte) and took some photographs with my drone. I made it to the summit in time to witness the dawn and seize some wonderful photos! (Photograph Tour)
- Monument Peak Lookout – It was 10 beneath zero however there was no wind as I hiked via White Cow Canyon to an deserted lookout on Tremendous Bowl Sunday, after which got here again alongside a ridge (12 miles round-trip). I used hand-warmers, toe-warmers, ski goggles, wore layers, and had each sq. inch of pores and skin coated – I used to be ready! It was my solely actual snowshoeing journey within the Little Rockies this winter, and I made it again in time to observe the sport. (Photograph Tour)
- Mission Ridge – That is one other scenic hike that begins on the Gap within the Wall Trailhead in Mission Canyon earlier than veering off and following Jeep trails. It’s a 2-mile hike to a location that provides nice views of the Little Rockies and the prairie to the west. (Photograph Tour)
