|
Home / Recreation and Leisure / Outdoors
Montana’s Welcome Creek Wilderness Trail: Madcap Adventures for a Spring Training Hike!
By:gordonh
Welcome Creek Wilderness - our spring-time challenge in a strange and wonderful little corner of the Montana back country world, just off the blue ribbon trout stream, Rock Creek. We should have thought it through a little more, but just needed to get out and do a nearby trail. So Evie and I threw our three little furry friends, Tina, Koda, and Lucy (miniature Pomeranians) in the van. We loaded up our 13 year old boy (told him we were heading for the Welcome Creek Wilderness Cafe), and headed east up I-90, 20 miles from Missoula to the Rock Creek exit.
You head south at the Rock Creek exit on a paved road, winding your way up stream. It’s a beautiful Montana back-country drive up Rock Creek canyon. The pavement ends around 11 miles up, and a narrow dirt road leads another 3 miles to the parking area for Welcome Creek Trail #225
The madcap adventures began there. The trail leads from the parking area across a wonderful suspension “swinging” bridge over Rock Creek Across the bridge, taking a right turn, the trail follows down Rock Creek about a quarter mile, turns left and heads up the narrow Welcome Creek side canyon. Sounds pretty straight forward. Right off, the poms, apparently dying for a drink, diverted our attention to getting them down to Rock Creek’s edge for a drink of fresh river water.
Back on the trail again, we found our son had already disappeared up the trail - a positive if you’re encouraging an independent spirit and gusto for hitting the trail for your child. A parents dream gone bad when finding a fork in the trail at that first quarter mile, right after having to cross the raging springtime torrent of Welcome Creek on a narrow log bridge. Which way did he go? Was he lost in the forests of Montana!
We had hiked that trail with him a couple of times before, so hoped he managed the log bridge and vaguely knew to take the left turn up Welcome Creek. Our 13 year old, Geno, with delays, ADHD, and motor problems functions around an 8 to 10 year range, and is not wilderness guide material at this point. We took the Welcome Creek turn, and herded the wild eyed poms up the trail, calling repeatedly for Geno. To our surprise and delight, we promptly ran into him, heading back down the trail. He had concluded he had covered enough trail and it was time to go back - all of a half mile on the trail.
Convincing Geno to continue further up the trail with us, we proceeded on this foolhardy adventure. We herded a band of hounds that were over and under and tangled in everything,along with a young man with limitations to his motor abilities. Taking a turn for the wilder, we rounded a corner and discovered a jungle. The trail was piled high with tree trunks and brush where fallen timber had not been cleared for spring. I had never encountered such a jumbled mess on a trail before..
Regardless, I refused to yield. Maybe this was an isolated jumble along the trail and it straightens out just around the next corner. We pressed onward. The crazy little dogs, too small to climb over many of the logs, had to each be ferried over. We then discovered Geno’s incredibly limited motor ability required helping him climb up onto and over log after log. You just don’t realize those limitations as he ambles along relatively level terrain for years. No doubt more training out in the forest, climbing hills, and over logs and rocks is in order. But we pressed onward!
Struggling under the last tree across the trail, the fallen timber mess finally ended. By then everyone was ready to stop off for lunch at that great Welcome Creek Wilderness Cafe - perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwiches just the way we like ‘em. Settling into a spectacular old growth forest grove, lunch was on - as the first raindrops hit!
Montana in June is often wet in a good year, and the weather had forecast rain. We were driven to get out and do a trail, regardless. But now the rain, the unruly poms, the massive log jamb on the trail, and the kiddo so physically challenged - the fun takes on a ridiculous scale. Following a hasty lunch, Evie, Geno and the maniacal poms hit the return trail - enough was enough. With my pack outfitted with raingear, I was compelled to do the next mile regardless of the torrential downpour.
A wonderful winding rocky trail follows right next to Welcome Creek. Long stretches of the trail follow the base of massive rock slides covered with mosses like scenes from a fairy land. Pushing on in the downpour another mile, the weekend spring training trail run was accomplished despite the weather and the faltering, stumbling beginnings. Finally conceding that the trek would be an ongoing soggy slog through tall ferns, grass and brush along the trail, even I turned back
Back at the trailhead 45 minutes later, soaked to the skin, I discovered the crew all snug and taking a snooze in the dry comfort of the van. They too had been caught in the downpour but managed to dry out in the meantime. Surprisingly good spirits prevailed in light of the ridiculous challenges thrown at us, and we hit the highway back to Missoula.
We eagerly anticipated a hot shower and nice dry room at our motel accommodations in town. To Missoula’s credit quality lodgings are plentiful as found at: http://www.montanaadventure.com/out/state/us-mt.com. A dynamite restaurant, the Montana Club, was right across the street too - an alternative to the Welcome Creek Wilderness Cafe. It’s hard to compete though, with the cathedral ceilings of an old growth forest grove in the Montana mountains. Check it out for yourself!
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: Montana, hiking, ADHD, delayed, disability, children, Welcome Creek Wilderness, trail, dogs, pomeranians, children, Rock Creek, Missoula
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
As web designer for the Montana Recreation Connection and Colorado Wilderness Tours at
( www.montanaadventure.com,
Gordon Hollingshead has provided an online travel directory for the past 10 years for people planning theri vacations and travels
throughout the western United States. More information contact Gordon at gordonh@montanaadventure.com.
|
|
| Top Outdoors Articles |
|
|
- 2). Some Tips On Backpacking By : Stanley Emerson
Travelers around the world enjoy seeing the sights and wonders of different places with only a backpack for all the things they need. Because they only have a pack on their backs, the possibilities of new sightseeing and activity adventures are limitless.
But of course, before you head for a faraway hiking adventure with your backpack, you must make sure that you bring all the things you need to put in your backpack.
|
- 3). Fall Foliage Scenic Drive in Connecticut By : Cliff Calderwood
Fall foliage scenic drives in Connecticut include the Long Island Sound coastal routes, and the Litchfield Hills in Northwestern Connecticut. These areas offer dramatic scenic drives any season, but for me, the trip that comes alive in the fall is nestled in eastern Connecticut’s "Quiet Corner" and is Route 169. This is a gem of a fall foliage scenic drive in Connecticut.
|
|
|
- 5). What Is a Dunk Tank? By :
Dunk tanks are fun at festivals and can rise a lot of money. Most dunk tanks are so easy to set up it only takes one person and it is easy to maintain and operate one as well
|
- 6). Barbecue Tips For Better Taste By : Daniel Roshard
We all know that for some reason there are a lot of people that volunteer to be responsible for the grilling and barbecue at every event that has this option, and many times the barbecue is destroyed for a wide variety of reasons
|
- 7). Fun Things to do Outdoors with Your Family By : Barney Garcia
Spending time with you family is vital for building healthy relationships with each other. Starting spending time with your kids when they are young will strengthen your relationship, get them physically active, and teach them how to have fun without video games or T.V.
|
- 8). African Safari Preparation By : Michael Russell
If you are planning on going on an African safari, the last thing you would want to do is spoil the trip right out of the chute by forgetting some essential things. Make yourself a list of things to do and check everything off as you go along. There are some important things to consider before you head to Africa.
You will want to wear comfortable, but protective clothing on your safari.
|
|
|
- 10). Hammock Care- Cleaning and storing hammocks with spreader bars. By : Neisha Bjorklund
Don’t plan on machine washing these types of hammocks for they usually have non-removable spreader bars, which makes machine washing not possible.
If you plan on hand washing these particular hammocks simply lay the hammock on your driveway or deck, any hard surface that is free of debris. Using a bucket of water with mild detergent, and a soft bristle brush, clean the hammock bed on one side, then flip the hammock and clean the other side the same way.
|
| New Outdoors Articles |
|
|
- 2). Enjoy Great Summer Activities in the Heart of the Rocky Mountains By : Shane
Winter Park has so many outdoor activities to choose from, you could spend the whole summer here and never see and do everything. Regardless of the activity you choose, you will enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the Continental Divide that Colorado has to offer.
A 600-mile trail system spreads throughout Winter Park and the Fraser Valley.
|
- 3). Hiking the Continental Divide in Winter Park, Colorado By : Shane
600 miles of trails stretch throughout Winter Park and the Fraser Valley. Whether you choose to follow a babbling brook, stroll through a wildflower meadow, or climb up the side of a mountain, Winter Park offers hiking for every skill level.
Winter Park Resort has 50 miles of trails that are accessible by chair lift. At the top of the lift you will find the Sunspot, which is a great place to get a bite to eat and enjoy the 360-degree views of surrounding mountains.
|
- 4). A Few Words In Praise of Birds By : Barbara Freedman-De Vito
Why do birds appeal to us ? Most people enjoy the sight of birds, even people who have never been active birdwatchers. Although birds are less like us in appearance and habits than our fellow mammals, birds undeniably hold a special place in our hearts.
One reason that birds capture our imaginations is that they can fly, while we remain trapped here on earth.
|
- 5). Tents By : Puja
Tents are used for any occasion and event. You can look tent as an open-air shaded pavilion, or a climate controlled banquet hall, practically overnight. It can be used to complete any of your goals regarding outdoor events. Tents are used for events, meetings, weddings, parties, and promotions. Tents are not only a shelter but provide elaborate and elegant environment.
|
- 6). Party tents By : Puja
Tents can play a big part in any event. Whether it is to keep the participants dry in the rain or provide cool shade in the sun.
Party tents are extremely versatile shelters for outdoors and backyard events. Weather there is wedding, birthday party, celebration, block party, an outdoors wedding/reception or simply get-together picnic for that party tents are best.
|
- 7). Easy Camping Food: Devour Delicious and Easy Camping Food in Minutes By : Karin Manning
Copyright 2006 Karin Manning
It’s true.
You too can now enjoy the same quality meals you enjoy in your home kitchen in your campfire kitchen with little fuss.
Meals around the campfire are just as much the centre of camping life as meals around the kitchen bench at home.
It’s possible to unleash the gourmet campfire chef within you when you know how to make your campfire work for you!
For an experienced outdoorsman, the key to good outdoor cooking is both simplicity and creativity.
|
- 8). Adventure Summer Camps - Tips For Finding The Best Ones By : Oliver Turner
The true reason behind any adventure summer camps is to send the children somewhere where they will not only have a great time but will learn and grow as a person. The adventure summer camp programs that you are searching, should offer a wide range of adventurous activities to choose from. If the summer camp is a special type camp, then their summer camp programs must focus on the specialty areas.
|
- 9). Moonlight Hiking By : Steve Gillman
I started moonlight hiking when I was a teenager prowling the streets and fields of Michigan. I later found that if I timed my backpacking trips to coincide with a full moon, I could hike every night. The two primary motivations for doing this are the adventure and mystery of night hiking, as well as the practical advantages that it has.
Moonlight Hiking - A Unique Experience
It's a great experience to hike away the hours of the night under a full moon.
|
- 10). Riding the trains in Italy By : Katy Hyslop
The first time I arrived in Italy by train it felt completely different to anywhere I’d travelled already. It was the summer of 2000 and I had been travelling for a nearly 2 weeks. I was more than relieved when the train pulled out of Nice on that bright August morning, what a misnomer, Nice was in my eyes not very nice at all. So when the train wound.
|
|
|
