Dear Members,

We live in such a spectacular area. One of the best ways to appreciate the scenery is by taking advantage of our many well-maintained local hiking trails. From them, we can see dense forests, rocky creeks, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and incredible views of mountain peaks and valleys below. Many of the trails are easily accessible, which helps make hiking such a popular activity for Bozeman residents. If you are already a hiker or would like to take up this wonderful sport, keep reading!

In 2018, the Riverside Explorers Hiking Group was formed by RCC members, for members, and we’re about to start our 6^th season. (We missed 2020 due to COVID.) Last year, 100 club members were on our roster and 40 of those have already confirmed that they want to hike again this year. We generally have between 5 and 15 members on each hike, and the composition of the group is different every time, with men and women of all ages. New members are always welcome, but it’s best to join at the start of the season, since the hikes get longer and a little more difficult as the summer progresses.

We hike every other Wednesday, usually meeting at 8:30. We meet at trailheads, if the hike is in the Bozeman area. If we are going to a more distant location (such as Gallatin Canyon or Paradise Valley), we’ll meet at a central location and carpool from there. We generally hike from 2 to 3 1/2 hours on easy, easy-moderate, and moderate trails.

Normally, we’re not able to start until June but, this year, we may be able to get in a hike or two in May since there’s less snow in the mountains.

Here’s a very tentative list of hikes for this summer, subject to change due to weather conditions and other unknowns.

• Buffalo Jump (near Three Forks) and lunch

• Bozeman Creek (with a choice of a 6-mile or 10-mile hike)

• Lower Mount Ellis

• Grassy Mountain (in the Bangtails)

• History Rock and West Shore Trail (in Hyalite Canyon)

• Ross Pass (in the Bridgers)

• South Cottonwood

• Hyalite Peak Trail to Grotto and Arch Falls (in Hyalite Canyon)

• Beehive Basin (at Big Sky) and lunch

• Pioneer Falls (Spanish Peaks, in the Madison Range)

• Paradise Valley hike and lunch

On Thursday, May 16th at 4:30 p.m., we’re kicking off our group’s 2024 activities with a gathering at Riverside. There will be a social time, with snacks courtesy of RCC. Then, at 5:00, the Gallatin Valley Land Trust Trails Director, Matt Parsons, will be speaking to us about current and upcoming trails projects on which his team is working. (Thank you to Keith Reed, one of our hikers and a GVLT Board Member for arranging this presentation.) It will be fun to get the “inside scoop” about plans for our wonderful area trails.

If you’re interested in joining the Explorers Hiking Group or have any questions, please let me know. If you do sign up, you’ll be put on our mailing list and will receive all future notifications and information about upcoming hikes. I’m looking forward to hearing from you and, hopefully, seeing you on May 16th!

Best wishes,

Jane Hodges, Organizer, janehodges500@gmail.com, 406-586-6338 (home)

And our hike leaders: Trish Neifert, Patty Shea, and Tim Wilson