Wonderful winter repeat trips, Bender Creek

Gordon Whirry in the deep, slushy powder at the Bender Creek Meadows

 More repeat trips in incredible snow.

What a year for the backcountry, and potentially for our rivers and streams.

During the last week of February the high places in the Little Belt Mountains recorded more than 50 inches of snow, most of it coming in one shot.

That was too much to try to ski or shoe.

We did get out on Feb. 26 for Bender Creek east of Monarch, and slogged on skis through something more like mashed potatoes than snow on this narrow valley.  We wore ourselves out!  But what a beautiful spot.

Earlier in the week I helped lead a Wild Montana snowshoe from Kings Hill Pass to Silver Crest Cross Country/Snowshoe area, about 4 miles.  I was the only male on the trip.  The snow was deep, but someone had cut a cross country ski track through part of it, making it easier going.

Wayne Phillips relaxing at Roberts Roost at Silver Crest snowshoe trail

The only other trip was with friend Wayne Phillips, who is still rehabbing his new knee, at Silvercrest --- a 2.3 mile snowshoe loop in cold, but clear winter weather.

There's been much wind and extreme cold ---- one day dipped to minus 29 in Great Falls ---- making skiing a tad uncomfortable.

On a positive note, many birds have returned to Great Falls:  flickers, Downey woodpeckers, robins, various sparrows and chickadees, mourning doves.