Helena National Forest: Crow Creek Falls

​Townsend, MT

We're taking our time getting to the west of Helena. My aunt lives out that way and we really haven't ever met. I woke up this morning early, 0620 to be exact. The trains were rollin by all night and sleep was restless at best. The neighbors here in this free campground are obviously working in the area, and must roam from one free campground to the next. The jerk across from us ran his generator all night long, and we had to listen to the hum. I'm restless and looking for something to do today. I breeze through some websites and find a hike along a local creek. It's 6 miles, and only 16 miles away from the campsite. Cool. Lets do that

Now that's a crappy gravel road

Three miles in and we hit our first obstacles. Little did we know this would continue for almost the next 13 until we got to the trailhead. I've driven on gravel a bunch, but not like this. The picture doesn't do it justice. This hill is about a 25° slope with rocks about 6 inches high. It's ok though, Shirley doesn't mind.

19 year old jeep with 145k on the clock, doing it's thing

We peddle up the road at about 10mph. The rocks are good sized and we don't need a puncture out here in the middle of nowhere. Shirley doesn't fail, and we make the whole trip in 2wd. (Well worth the time I spent putting the limited slip diff in)

River under a bridge we crossed

An hour later and we end up at the trail. The GPS said an hour when we left. I thought it was stupid. Turns out I'm stupid. The dog jumps out and we grab our gear. Into the hills we go to explore unknown territory.

We plunge into the hills with vigor. It's already 1000 and the heat is on it's way. I hate this heat. It sucks. Forward ho we continue so that our readers can live vicariously through us. In order to diverge my picture taking into more than rocks, I snap a shot of the dog.

Fast forward to 1130 and this has become stupid. We're tired, hot, and pissy with each other. This is a dumb idea and we should just go home. Hangry, we pop a squat and grab some snacks. Life is better, let's trudge onward. This is why we're doing this, to experience. And what an experience it became. The steep up and down hike finally gave up the goods. A dull roar in the distance had to be water. Thank god, cause I'm ready to stop.

I take off my shoes and pants. Whoa whoa whoa, this is a pg-13 blog. I left my underwear on. I walked in up to my knees. The water was so damn cold I couldn't take it. My feet were numb after a minute and out I came. Another snack, a few pictures, and it's time to roll out. It's supposed to be in the mid 90's and the kitties are in the RV with no A/C.

I always like to walk behind Katie, it's a nice view

Up and down we go.

Not a bad way to spend a Thursday. Sitting here in the RV with the AC running I count the pennies being burned out the tailpipe. No more of this. We need to head north. Just one more stop before the great vastness of Canada. What do we call canadian geese when we get there? Geese? I hate not being a local sometimes.