Havre Trails hosting snowshoe hike in Bear Paws Saturday

The Havre Trails is leading a snowshoe hike up Eagle Creek on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation Saturday, Feb. 20, and everyone is welcome to join the hike.

This is a scenic 2-3 mile loop starting and ending at Bear Paw Ski Bowl. Organizers said it should take about one and a half hours over mostly gentle terrain, with a brief climb at the end. They rate it as a medium-difficulty snowshoe hike mostly on an unplowed two-track road.

The Chippewa Cree Tribal Council and Natural Resources Department has granted Havre Trails a hiking permit for the day, so people will be traveling to the ski bowl in a caravan. Participants are asked to meet at the District 4 HRDC parking lot at 2229 Fifth Ave. at 10 a.m. to caravan to the start-finish point. Rocky Boy area residents meet at the Bear Paw Ski Bowl around 11 a.m. People driving to the site should use four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles and start with a full tank of gas.

Temperatures are forecast to be in the 20s with mild winds. The recommended gear includes, snowshoes, layered clothing, water, snacks, a leash if a hiker plans on bringing a dog and waterproof pants or gaiters recommended. Organizers said wearing jeans usually does not end well. The ski hill will have burgers for purchase afterward – cash only.

Anyone needing snowshoe rentals can contact Montana State University-Northern before Friday, at 265-3732 of at the link https://www.msun.edu/stuactivities/recreationequipment.aspx .

Organizers said social distancing will be maintained while hiking, and asked that people refrain from joining if they are sick or have been in contact with COVID-19.

To register for the hike, people can go online to https://forms.gle/4wRNC5CPfMudF

pf78 . For more information, contact hike leader Lindsey Bennett at 344-2991.