Sluice boxes and signs of aging

 

Waterfall on the high, cliffy trail

Many caves in the limestone cliffs above Belt Creek in the Sluice Boxes

The railroad tracks are still visible along the trail

The rail tunnel at my turnaround point

The remains of an old trestle

The Sluice Boxes State Park, a 25 minute drive southeast of Great Falls, is my favorite "go to" hiking spot when I don't have much time.

Normally, I like to do a roundtrip 4.5 miles to an old railroad tunnel.  The state park and trail is a very narrow strip that opens up into the Belt Creek canyon.  The limestone canyon is stunning, with high cliffs, and Belt Creek runs a translucent emerald color through it.  This is where a narrow gauge railroad once operated to serve the many hardrock mines in the area.  Ancient tracks and trestles litter the trail and creek. 

 At the beginning there are high and low trails, with the low trail requiring multiple crossings of the creek. The high trail is above the creek.

A full walk through ---- from Riceville to Logging Creek is eight miles with numerous creek crossings.

I did this trip for the first time some 52 years ago when the land was first proposed for a state park.

I consider it one of the most spectacular sights around Great Falls.

I'm finding that hiking to the tunnel is getting more challenging.  Maybe it's my age, maybe it's that the trail has become so worn and my footing less sure.  It is particularly tough about a third of a mile before reaching the tunnel where steep worn trails and slippery scree makes it precarious. 

Despite is proximity to Great Falls, the trail rarely seems crowded.  Head back I bumped into only two parties coming into the Sluice Boxes.