After more than 40 years a Hauser Lake surprise

 

Katie in the Hauser Canyon

An angler near Beaver Creek with Gates Wilderness in sight

The trail scrambles across this talus field

Beaver Creek fishing area

It had been more than 40 years since I had been to Hauser Lake on the Missouri River northeast of Helena.  My only memories were good fishing and a lousy, winding road.

Both were confirmed at a trip there Friday as we watched anglers pulling in big rainbows and browns, and my experience with a road so winding that there is a mirror in one spot so you don't run into another vehicle.

What I hadn't done when I lived in Helena was hike the east shore, where there is a two mile trail to Beaver Creek, another legendary Helena-area fishing spot reached from the town of York.

The trail goes through an extremely scenic high canyon at several points crossing fields of talus made passable by flattened rock.  Placement of those rocks is impressive.

The Missouri was particularly beautiful, running a translucent, dark green.  There were many spots where the hiker or fisherman can descend to the river bank.

This is truly area is truly an extension of the the spectacular limestone canyon that borders the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area.

At the developed Beaver Creek site the Gates area at Big Log Gulch trailhead is a short distance to the north.

This area is yet another example of the amazing country that is adjacent to our wilderness system areas that haven't been designated.

Hauser Dam is reached off the Lincoln Road exit to Lake Helena.  At the Causeway Road turn left and take the road to the dam.

There is a much longer, dustier, bumpier road to Beaver Creek from the town of York.

This is so easy to reach with a high payoff that I'll be back again.  But I won't wait 40 years to do it.