Great Burn, West Fork Fish Creek
Two-day ski trip in March 2004
On
a Saturday morning, five brave Montana skiers set out into the Great
Burn proposed wilderness in winter. Led by Bozeman backcountry skier
Phil Knight, the group crossed Fish Creek on a suspension bridge entering
this 275,000 acre inter-state roadless area. A bit over 100,000 acres
are in Montana and being proposed for wilderness protection through
the Sierra Club's Lewis & Clark Campaign.
Our group worked up the West Fork of Fish Creek on several inches
of fresh snow through beautiful low elevation forests of ponderosa
pine, grand fir, and western red cedar. The American dipper (water
ouzel) was observed diving in the cold waters of Fish Creek and Phil
pointed out where a marten had recently wandered across our path.
Our winter camp was made surprisingly comfortable with expert advice
from Phil, who carved out a cooking area and fire pit. Taking advantage
of a full moon and mild temperatures, participants ventured deeper
into the wild on a midnight ski adventure.
Sunday
morning brought mild temperatures and an excursion up Indian Creek
to see some more cedar groves. Few people visit these trails in winter
as the going was tough and with deteriorating snow conditions and
temps close to 50 degrees we reluctantly packed up and skied out to
the trailhead.
On
a Saturday morning, five brave Montana skiers set out into the Great
Burn proposed wilderness in winter. Led by Bozeman backcountry skier
Phil Knight, the group crossed Fish Creek on a suspension bridge entering
this 275,000 acre inter-state roadless area. A bit over 100,000 acres
are in Montana and being proposed for wilderness protection through
the Sierra Club's Lewis & Clark Campaign.
Sunday
morning brought mild temperatures and an excursion up Indian Creek
to see some more cedar groves. Few people visit these trails in winter
as the going was tough and with deteriorating snow conditions and
temps close to 50 degrees we reluctantly packed up and skied out to
the trailhead.