Trails
Gallatin Valley BCH
2011
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First time out and it is a beautiful day, sun shining, the sky blue and the foliage so green! Six people arrived at the Cottonwood Trail head about 8.30. Rich Inman with Mandy, his pack mule, was the first to ar-rive. Jim Allbright, Larry Thomson. Wally Becker and Brenda Kessler were the other four people ready to go by 9:00. Larry said that no one else had called so all six started up the trail. The creek was high with water roll-ing but the horses did not hesitate. They managed the crossings well going up the trail. The crew found the first log to cut about a mile up. After the third crossing of the creek, the downfalls became numerous, especially when the crew turned onto the History Rock and cabin trail. It was estimated about 15 trees or downfalls were removed with one big log requiring about 5 to 6 cuts to get it off the trail. All in all about 30 to 35 cuts (total) were made. After lunch, Rich, Jim and Brenda contin-ued up the History Rock trail until snow and water made it necessary to turn around. They met Larry and Wally coming up from checking the cabin trail. Rich gave Mandy and his horse over to the crew as he walked down, creating and cleaning water bars. Wally and Larry took turns helping. Once again by the creek, it was time to seriously start for the trail head. It was at the second to the last creek crossing that Mandy stepped into a hole and her whole front disappeared under water. Rich said he looked back and thought she had become a submarine with bubbles and all. It created grave con-cern for the rest of the crew, looking from behind, when those big ears disappeared. Especially since we still had to take our horses across and “when a mule stumbles in the creek with roaring water?” But Mandy gathered her feet underneath her body and the ears and head came up. She did look wet and definitely abashed. The rest of the horses with riders, carefully, made it across safely. The consensus was a sixteen mile day and all were out of the woods and at the trailhead by 5:30
JUNE 29, 2011 Spanish Creek Trail
Again the crew met but this time at Spanish Creek trail head, 8:30 to 9:00 with all ready to go around 9:15. The crew consisted of Bonnie Hammer, Kay Tate, Wally Becker, Rich Inman (of course, he had Mandy mule as the pack animal), Brenda Kessler, Jim Allbright and Larry Thomas as the trail boss. About 20 minutes into the ride, a quiet, shushed voice called out: “bear!” Sure enough, there in the clearing was a bear digging furiously. He seemed „no mind‟ to us and the horses quietly observed until Brenda‟s asked: “What kind of bear is it?” Her voice carried. The bear looked up, observed the group and hurriedly scampered into the woods. He was a cinnamon colored black bear about 200 to 300 lbs, and he looked fat and very healthy (This was the consensus of group later. It was also claimed that this bear had been sighted before).
After that moment, the group continued up the trail, crossing the creek several time on the bridges (one bridge was the very narrow foot bridge-(which the horses handled very well) and several times the swollen stream. All went safely with no incidences. After cutting and removing about 10 downfalls, taking the fork to the lakes, the crew ran into snow about a mile up the (right fork). There they ate lunch and turned around. Having more time, the crew then went a mile up the Mirror Lake fork cutting about another 10 or so downfalls. Also, Bonnie and Kay had their “loppers” and found many opportunities to clear away overhanging brush. Running out of time, it was decided to return to camp but only after discovering more work ahead on that trail. So it means a return trip soon. It was a beautiful day, weather was great, with some wind but much was ac-complished. Always a great time out in the wilds even though all the work required the crosscut saws, i.e., takes much more effort than that chainsaw.
July 3 & July 4, 2011 North Cottonwood Canyon
On July 3rd, the "West Bridger Division" of the Monday trail clearing group cleared North Cottonwood Canyon on the West side of the Bridgers. The group consisted of Trina and Wayne Frederickson, Liz Lewis and Steve Conklin. The next day on July 4, the same group cleared Corbley Canyon trail. If, some of you, have never ridden these trails , you don't know how in-debted we should be to these folks. These trails are steep and very rocky. However, the views at the top are spectacu-lar. Thanks so much. (Reported by Dick Haines)
July 4-6, 2011 Spanish Creek # 401
On July 4th, Ron and Sherrie White, Nolan and Marsha Powell and Bonnie Hammer and Dick Haines camped at Spanish Creek. There, we used the new Volney Steele donated corrals. On July 5th, we cleared up to the ridge on Little Hell Roaring trail before hitting five foot drifts. On Wednesday, July 6, the same group cleared Spanish Creek # 401 trail to the Sweden creek junction. This was a 20 mile day. On the way home, we cleared about a mile up Placer creek but didn't make it to the junction because of time and many downed trees. If some of you haven't made it all the way back to the Sweden creek junction, you should as this is beautiful country.
July 5, 2011 Little Hell Roaring
On July 5th, Dick Haines crew cleared up to the ridge on Little Hell Roaring and clearing came to a halt about 4.2 miles up Little Hellroaring when a deep snow drift make it impossible to proceed. (Reported by Dick Haines)
July 6th, 2011 Spanish Creek Trail
Another beautiful Montana summer day. Larry received calls the night before and we were all at the Spanish Creek Trail Head by nine o‟clock. There, at the trail head, our group discovered the Monday crew , many which had been camping since Monday and clearing several of the trail (see their report for more information). After exchanging greeting and other chitchat, we started up toward Mirror Lake to the spot where we had stopped the week before.
Our group included, Larry Thomas, Trail boss, Jim Allbright, Rich Inman with Mandy, the mule, Wally Becker, Kay Tate, Ron Rassley and Brenda Kessler. The crew started to cut down-falls immediately upon getting to the spot where we had stopped the previous week. Probably about 10 to 15 downfalls were counted. However, we were at the lake by lunchtime and it was delightful to find that most of the ice was gone. Because we had sloshed through several drifts of snow, we were at moments du-bious of getting to the lake.
As the crew ate lunch, they looked for goats and were thrilled when a bunch were discovered scampering across the mountain-side above, crossing the deep crevasses still filled with snow. Eight adults and four kids were counted. It was fun watching the kids bounce around the adults, across the snow into the tree and then out again.
During lunch Kay mentioned she missed her banana. It seems she had set it on her horse trailer and turned her back, heard a crunch and discovered it was gone. It seems her horse likes ba-nanas and he did not bother to peel it. He ate peel and all.
Returning the guys, all dismounted , created and cleaned nu-merous water bars. Again we crossed the creek, usually on the bridges, even the very narrow foot bridges as the water was high in the creek. It was a great day and a beautiful ride. (Reported by Brenda Kessler)
July 11-12, 2011 Porcupine
Sandy McMannus, Bonnie Hammer, Ron and Sherrie White, Dick Haines and Jane Huffine camped at Porcupine for 2 nights in the rain, on July 11 and 12. Then on Monday, the trails were ok and we made it all the way to Rams Horn. There were a LOT of trees down. On Tuesday, the trails were even muddier and part way to Onion Basin, the rain began to threaten so we headed back down. From there, we worked the trail to the North of the creek. We cut one tree on the very beginning of first creek trail to Hidden lakes. That trail should not be attempted for awhile because the first 100 yards is straight up and down with a slick creek bank. We rode 18 miles the first day and 12 miles on the second day.
July 13, 2011 East Fork TH (Emerald & Heather Lakes)
We had ten riders and only 2 were women for a change, Bren-da and myself. We
discovered that when going to East Fork TH (Emerald & Heather Lakes) our
recommendations would be to park at the Palisades TH and ride horses the
remaining mile. That mile of road has deep, atrocious dips to accommo-date
runoff and they certainly need to be squared off.
Larry, Rich, & Michael made it in with no damage, but Bren-da and Jim turned
around after bending their jack „a touch‟ on their NEW trailer. Henry wisely
parked at the Palisades TH. We met lots of hikers with dogs who reported the
lake 1/2 frozen over. We cleared trail half way up the switchbacks near the
lake before being stopped by snow. The rest of the way may have been ridden
but not on the trail so we stopped and lunched rather than bush whack to the
lake. The guys then leap frogged, clean-ing water bars, while Brenda and I
led horses on the way out. One/half mile from the TH Larry broke his combi
tool so we called it quits. We felt very rewarded after reading a note left
on Rich's trailer thanking us for the work the Back country horsemen do,
signed by: “ Schnee.” The Horses were led to the Palisades lot where we had
drinks and watermelon. Attending were: Jim Allbright, Brenda Kessler; Kay
Tate. Ron Rassley Wally Becker Larry Thomas, Rich Inman. Ron White, Henry
Glen & Michael Harney. (Reported by Kay Tate)
July 16, 2011 Window Rock
On July 16th, 13 members of the GVBCH came together to build the corrals at Window Rock We started at 7am and put in 4 new post for the 2 gates and 2 for a cross fence to keep horses out of the spring in the back of the first corral, by lunch we had the project well in hand. After lunch we hung 2 new 4' gates and finished the rebuilding the fence panels. after a rest we sawed up quite a bit of firewood for the cabin. Afterward some members took advantage of the free cabin and spent the night. Thanks to all who made this project a success!
July 22, 2011 Ross Pass
Ron and Kay, Sport, Jessie & Frankie cleared from Bridger Bowl to Ross Pass on Friday the 22nd. Only one tree to saw but tons of lopping. The F.S. has made a re-route that needed a ton of lopping so Kay's arms became jelly after a while. We put some logs across the old trail to discourage use and made some cairns to show where it leaves on the north end. Lots of lopping still needed, especially along the road. It needs to be cut way back. Anybody going up there take loppers and get off and do some work. (Reported by Kay Tate)
August 17, 2011 Windy Pass
On Wednesday August 17th GVBCH Packed in a work
crew and their tools and materials to refurbish the Windy
Pass Cabin. If the packing was not hard enough we had
to endure 7 miles of the “road from hell” which took us one
hour and twenty minutes, no less.
Larry Thomas led a team of Walter Becker, Michael Harney,
Jan Elpel ,Rich Inman, Steve Thienes and Henry
Glenn with 5 pack horses and Mandy the pack mule. We
packed in supplies to restore the Cabin including enough 6' boards to re-floor the porch. While there we laid out the new corrals which we plan to build next August. Eve-ryone should plan on being there and having fun. What a beautiful day we had and “any day horseback is better than one day working”.
On Wednesday August 24th we packed the crew out and all their tools and leftover stuff.
Note: The stove destruction crew of Steve, Wally and Michael. I never seen 3 men have more fun try-ing to fit a rusted out wood stove into 2 pack bags. I think the plan was to save the door and legs but “OOPS” that never happened.
On On the pack out we decided to name the crew the BCHTH: that is the Back Country Horsemen Trash Haulers.
Get out and Ride! (Submitted by Henry Glenn)
Friday, July 22, Fairy Lake Trail
On Friday, July 22, Dick Haines, Ron Rassley, Kay Tate, Bonnie Hammer, Jane
Huffine, Ron and Sherrie White cleared the fairy lake trail from the
Brackett creek Y. Several trees were removed and one big mess at a stream
crossing took about 45 minutes. Judging by some signs, the forest service is
planning to move the trail between the big switch back and the lake. We had
a short lunch in a cold drizzle at the lake.
On Wednesday, July 6, the crew cleared Spanish Creek # 401 trail to the
Sweden creek junction. This was a 20 mile day.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 North Fork Hell Roaring Trail
Wednesday, July 27th. The good bunch
(Wednesday crew): Rich Inman, Wal-ther Becker, Bonnie Hammer, Ron Rohletter,
Michael Harney, Henry Glen and Steve Thienes cut out numerous trees , moved
rocks on switch backs and did general maintenance on the trail. (Missing
that day was Jim and Brenda) The crew ended the work about a mile from
Thompson Lake because (guess what?): snow. Many thanks to the crew for a
hard day’s work. (Reported by Larry Thomas)
Wednesday August 10, 2011 Hell Roaring Trail
Another day work-ing on the Hell Roaring trail up the
main fork. A nice ride for about one and a half mile to the junction which
was very pleasant. However, after that things got serious: Rich and Michael
cut a log out of the creek which obstructed the trail crossing. Michael’s
boots were waterproof but Rich’s were not. After that we cut constantly for
about 2 ½ to 3 miles and did not even make it to the Deer Lake cut off.
Maybe next time but thanks again to a great crew: Rich Inman, Ron Rohletter,
Walter Becker, Michael Harney and Margaret Lowndes. However, it is
Huckleberry time so had to keep an eye on a couple of them. Again missed Jim
and Brenda but sounds like the trip to Florida was very special for Jim.
Thanks again guys, Larry. (Reported by Larry Thomas)
Monday, August 22, 2011 Tamphery Creek Trail
Monday August 22, the Wednesday crew which included Rich Inman (and Mandy
the pack mule), Larry Thomas, Ron Rohletter, Walter Becker, Jim Allbright,
Brenda Kess-ler, Mike Harney and Margaret Lowndes rode the Tamphery Creek
trail. Meeting at the “Y” after turning at the Moose Creek trailhead, off
the highway, they started cutting downfall shortly after the 9:00 designated
get-together time. Lots of downfall as Larry said “probably 50 % of the
trees are dead” so the crew was busy. Jim esti-mated more than 60 cuts,
especially since some of the trees were even laying lengthwise in the trail.
The crew rode all the way to the Windy Pass cabin which was pur-ported to be
a 7 mile ride. Jim said it felt more like 17 miles. There at the cabin the
crew connected with the two forest service people who were working
industriously on the cabin with supplies brought in last Wednesday by the
GVBH people. The weather was good and there was a grand vista of the
surrounding mountains and valleys. Other than the steep ups and downs, it
was a great ride. The wind did blow on the way back and the crew even got to
cut a newly fallen tree (at least it was not there previous-ly). Back at the
trail head, at 6:30, tired but contented, the crew headed for home.
(Reported by Brenda Kessler)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 New World Gulch Trail
On Wednesday, August 31, Larry Thomas took his trail crew consisting to
Wally Becker, Ron Rohletter and Rich Inman up the New World Gulch trail via
the Moonshine route to Mystic Lake and on up to the Bear Lakes divide. Was a
great fall trip with a little rain, a little wind and plenty of sunshine. We
logged out 20+ trees, some of them being quite large. Saw one large bull
moose in one of the many potholes. We were blessed to have enjoyed such a
great day. (Reported by Rich Inman)
September 7, 2011 Porcupine Creek
Again the Wednesday crew was ready to go at 9:00. Today, the Wednesday crew
consisted of Jim Allbright, Brenda Kessler, Wally Becker, Rich Inman (and
his pack mule, Mandy), Ron Rohletter and Trail boss, Larry Thomas.
Beautiful, September day, cool morning with a pleasant afternoon warmth
seeping through by lunch. At first, it looked like we were following
some-one who had recently cut most of the logs off the trail but that lasted
only so long. Soon the crew was cutting obstructions , downed timber and
logs off the trail. After about 9 miles, lunch was eaten and the return trip
was started. Rich and Larry dis-mounted and for several miles created and
cleaned water bars. Shortly after that, with Ron in the lead (it was noted
he did not have his glasses, made a wrong turn and the group ended up on the
snowmobile trail. This was not sawed out and the crew had to decide whether
to go back to the other trail or forge ahead. Onward was the cry and somehow
the crew managed to saw once, only. The challenge became the bogs which were
across the trail in several places. Carefully, the horses maneuvered through
them. It was noted that Jim’s horse was quite the jump-er, not only the bogs
but also a log which was across the trail. However, all arrived safely, at
the trailhead about 4:30. It was a great ride, experiencing open meadows,
high grand vista’s and rich green, thickly wooded, swampy areas and no
flies. (Reported by Brenda Kessler)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Elk Horn to Twin Cabin Creek
Elk Horn to Twin Cabin Creek Wednesday, September 14, the Wednesday crew met
at the Red Cliff campground . Because the campground was under construction,
the crew parked in front of the bridge. Larry unloaded and took his outfit
down to the trail head 46 ( Twin cabin creek) behind the Rainbow Ranch to
serve as the relay ride. Soon, he was back with Rich as Rich had followed
him down. We, then, rode the horses through the empty campground to the Elk
Horn creek trail (trail 165) and started up: Soon to be cutting downed
trees. After about 25 cuts, we stopped counting and just continued to cut
and ride. Before reaching the ridge, we discovered that the trail had been
rerouted to a draw which was mostly swamp. Looking around, the crew
discovered the original trail above this wet area with several downfalls
across it. (Probably, the reason it had been rerouted.) The crew cut the
downfalls and reo-pened the original trail.
Once up, on the Ridge (trail 199), we had a wonderful view of Lone Mountain
with the open meadows on the East side of the canyon in the foreground. On
the other side of the highway, the village and the buildup of civilization
was most apparent. Catching the trail (trail 46 Twin Cabin creek) we were
soon riding steeply down and were in the trail head behind the Rainbow ranch
by 4:00. The drivers quickly shuttled back to the campground to collect the
other vehi-cles. It was a great day with, beautiful fall weather, cool in
the morning but pleasantly warm by afternoon. (Reported by Brenda Kessler)
Sept 20, 2011 Yellow Mule/ Ousel Falls
Sept 20, Larry’s group, Wally, Jim and Brenda, Rich, and Bonnie, showed up
at 9:00 at the Yellow Mule/ Ousel Falls trail head near Big Sky. The crew
rode up 2nd Yellow Mule and cleared 5 or 6 trees, two big ones where the
trail is narrows right above the water falls. It was a clear day but quite
cool, in fact near the top of the trail by Yellow Mule cabin there was ice
still on a pond of water at 1:00 pm. However, the biggest thrill of the day
was when this perfectly beautiful 6/7 point bull elk decided Brenda’s
palomino horse was a cow that he needed to herd. Larry, at the front of the
group, saw the bull cross the trail in front of him and head up hill. Five
minutes later, Brenda said, “There is a bull elk following us up the trail.”
Sure enough, we all stopped turned around and stared at the Bull and he
stared back. Finally 5 minutes later he ambled up the hill looking for the
other cows that had been with him. A bow hunters biggest fantasy as he was
only 10 to 15 yards away, and not scared of us at all. (Reported by Bonnie
Hammer)
Trail reports for 2007 and earlier.
Trail reports for 2008.
Trail reports for 2009.
Trail reports for 2010.