Ride Leaders/Trail Bosses:

Dan and Jeanine Nelson

Ride Coordinator:

BSFTA Trail Ride Chair Thea Faas-Gervais

Article by Thea Faas-Gervais

               This year’s Fall Gather ride brought us back to Crazy Creek, the third weekend of August, in Sula, Montana.

            Most people arrived Friday afternoon.  Several, coming from out of state, arrived Wednesday or Thursday to get more riding and exploring in.

            Saturday’s ride took us up Crazy Creek to a small meadow about ½ mile before the Forest Services’ Two Good Cabin.  We did have a problem with bees at the start and some riders turned back even before the meadow.  At the meadow we got off, used the trees and tightened cinches before mounting up.  Leaving the meadow we slowly worked our way up the switchbacks on the steep hillside.  The trail was wide and had great footing so there was plenty of area for safe rest breaks..  We must have climbed over 1000 feet in that half mile.  Montana mountains, what can I say?

            Once up on top, mountain peaks were visible as far as you could see.  We rode just downhill from the ridgeline in the high mountain meadow to the old Sheep Herder’s camp.  We sat and talked and ate lunch surrounded by our horses, the meadow, and several cords of cut and split firewood.  Obviously as outfitter had been busy getting ready for the upcoming hunting season.  After little more than an hour we got back on and watered horses at the developed springhead.  Leaving camp, we continued along the ridgeline meadow to Porcupine Creek.  We took this trail down to Crazy Creek.  Once down off the hill we kicked it up a notch and hit a lick heading for the camp.

            We made camp about 4 pm, so had plenty of time to water and rinse horses and relax a bit before gathering for the potluck.  Food was abundant and we actually ran out of room on the tables.  Eating gave way to talking and one card game that lasted till dark.

            Sunday’s ride took us to the North up the forest service roads to the Lookout Trailhead.  On the road we were able to ride two and three across and talk the whole way. Now heading up the trail, we lined-out and spread out to keep the dry summer dust to a minimum.  Six miles or so and numerous beautiful overlooks later, we arrived at a semi-level bench just below the Medicine Point Lookout.  This was a perfect resting area and we took advantage of it.

            The group was tired and a bit sore from both days of riding, so five brave souls, myself included, continued on to the lookout and the rest backtracked their way to camp..  You know how hindsight is 20/20, well I give it a coin flip as to whether I would repeat my decision.  Ok, I am adventuresome so would  do it again, but I did learn something.  Always(!!)  bring extra food and supplies just in case you’re out longer than expected.  I know this but ignored my own good sense that morning..

            So here we were, all five adventurers, at the lookout up on the deck sunbathing.  Our trail boss mentioned seeing another trail on the map to get down and we all agreed to try and find it.  We forgot the forest service map back at camp, mistake number two.  Looking for Shook Mountain Trail to get down the mountain took us along the ridgeline to the West.  Now you must know, Montana has a lot of trails and most interconnect with numerous other trails.  Well, we ended up riding about 90 minutes before deciding we missed our Y.  We turned our tired, thirsty horses around and backtracked close to 40 minutes to find our turn we missed.  No wonder we missed it the first time.  The trail marker was on the back side of a tree facing away from us and covered by a branch.  Once on the Shook Mountain trail the riding was easy and except for our exhausted horses, it wasn’t too bad.  We got off and walked the horses quite a ways.  In fact we took so long getting down, between getting turned around and walking a lot, the main group sent out searchers for us.  They found us as we emerged onto the Forest Service road.  A short time later we arrived back in camp to everyone’s relief.

            About half of us stayed the night but most of the riders with short drives left after cleaning up their camps and saying their goodbyes.  That night those of us hanging out decided to get in a short ride on Monday.

            Monday we cleaned and packed up, and everyone followed me to Como Lake Campground.  We waited for a couple late arrivals and got going around 10.  Following the Como Lake trail about 5 miles brought us to the falls at the north end of Como Lake.  This trail is beautiful as it follows the waterline the whole way and Como Lake has got to be one of the most beautiful lakes around.  Even though it was late August and the water way down, the falls were breathtaking.  In the spring and early summer these falls are so powerful, they’re deafening and make your heart beat out of your chest.  Imagine riding your horse across the falls bridge with water 30 feet from you.

            Well, after fully exploring the falls and having a snack, we mounted up and quietly rode back.  I think everyone was just enjoying the scenery and letting down after a long weekend. 

            And that’s it.   Another successful national trail ride in Montana came to an end.. 

Thank you Dan and Jeanine for every thing.