In the early spring one of my goals for the year was to hike a good hunk of the River’s Edge Trail, one of the gems of the Great Falls area. There is approximately 40 miles of excellent trail along the Missouri River and through the prairie. With the cold, wet and windy spring it didn’t happen, and by the time summer was in full swing there was no time. With an impending dramatic change in the forecast, I decided the boys and I had to hit the trail yesterday or fore-go one good day out. (I’m not saying we won’t go when it’s cold; it’s just so much nicer when it’s warm.)
It was a rock collecting adventure from the get-go. I didn’t realize an obsession with rocks is a genetic trait. Since I read the Helen and Scott Nearing’s book, The Good Life, I wanted to build a home out of stone. And when I lived in Coram, I constructed 220 raised beds out of stone. (I didn’t really have a choice there. There was no soil to speak of, so I built up and hauled in topsoil.) I even started building a greenhouse using the Nearing’s slipform method, and am convinced nearly any structure can be built this way. But I digress, 50 yards down the trail they started collecting rocks. John had an armful and had to stop every couple of steps to retrieve the ones that fell from his grasp. 
Thankfully, I was able to distract them with milkweed. The pods are 
just ripening with the fluff proving irrestible to blow into the wind. There were also rosehips, snowberries and lots of spikey yucca to gawk at along the way.
I was very surprised to see a bull snake when we rounded one corner, which is why I’m teaching the boys to walk in the middle of the trail. After talking to a local snake hunter, I know the trail is prime habitat for rattlesnakes, and even though they keep the grass alongside the trail cut down roughly a foot wide on either side, it would be easy for them to hide. It reminds me when I was filming grizzlies and mountain lions for National Geographic, and would watch people allow their children to run way ahead of them on the trails of Glacier National Park. I was keenly aware of the dangers possible just around the corner – since that was the point of being there – and would tell the parents why we were filming in that particular area. (It’s amazing how many slacked jaw morons had no intention of reining in their kids. They had no clue what I was talking about.) I want to teach the boys from the get-go to be aware of their surroundings. They don’t need to fear snakes, but they need to respect them. 
We hiked to an overlook near the river where we stopped for fruit leather and water. I thought it was funny that I had on a backpack filled with enough clothes and snacks to practically stay out overnight. But one thing I’ve learned with the munchkins is you never leave the house without snacks, water and extra cloths… even if you have to haul it on your back.
After the pit stop at the overlook, we hiked back towards the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to see if we couldn’t find some of the trees the 
beavers used as chew toys. There were a multitude of tiny, metal traps set throughout the area. They were marked UGF for the University of Great Falls, and I suspect they’re doing a study possibly on voles. (That’s just a guess – the rodent population has been crazy.) I need to follow up to see what they’re looking for in the area.
On the walk home we saw another snake; this time it was an Eastern racer. That was a new one for me. It hustled across the path in no time, and disappeared in the tall grass and brush. Sam was pretty excited. He likes snakes. This, of course, worries me, but hopefully he’ll employ of a bit of common sense in the years ahead. (And he’s never going out with Glenn, the crazy guy I wrote about who does it for fun. I pity his poor mom everyday!)
The last stretch of the hike needed drums to make it more dramatic. Talk about the Bataan Death March. I had the “my legs are tired chorus” coming up from the rear. Of course, it didn’t help that John had a new armful of rocks, and Sam had so many in his pockets that his pants were coming down. But we made it to the top, and the good news is after a little more water and fruit leather, the boys are excited to tackle a new section.
Tags: hiking, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, National Geographic, River's Edge Trail, snakes
Did you see milkweed… or was it Western Salsify (Goatsbeard)? What people told me was milkweed here in the Flathead is really Western Salsify (Goatsbeard).
Hey Clif,
Yes, it was definitely milkweed. I grew up with it. The Western salsify in the Flathead is the dandelion looking (albeit very large) fluffy seedhead we had in fields. The milkweed has very different leaves, growing habit and the “fluff’ is initially encapsulated in pods. When the pods dry they open and the fluff goes free. Hope you had a wonderful summer! How was the pocket gopher count?
Glad you got to enjoy a walk, the weather has changed for good I think. BTW, it’s fun to collect rocks, I used to have a pet one (guess I’m dating myself).
Ha! You might be, but I remember my neighbor’s had one, too, so I’m right along with you!
I have trapped only 103 pocket gophers this year. The count is way down for several reasons. First I really had them on the run last year. Second, I had cattle in the hayfield this year instead of cutting hay. Cattle and my pocket gopher traps and milk jug markers don’t mix as those curious cattle knock over the markers and trip the traps.
Right now there isn’t too much activity by the pocket gophers. Partly due to all the rain we had the past week. I also suspect they are more interested in the opposite sex than tunneling as I am finding more than the average amount of empty tunnels right now.
I have completely eradicated the Columbia ground squirrels. I have not seen any sign of them since I trapped the last two in the Spring 2010. Also the pocket gophers have moved into the former home/area of the Columbia ground squirrels and the two species never mixed in the past.
Tell Grant “Hi” from me. I do miss your honey and bee hives.
Hey Clif! Grant says “Hi” back. The bees did fairly well this year; still not as productive as the Flathead, but not bad. He caught a pocket gopher in our yard this spring. That was the first we’ve seen. We also had a few ground squirrels that hung along the perimeter of the property, but he plinked them with an air rifle. The deer are awful. It looks like a herd of draft horses lives here. The gardens did fairly well considering the shaky start to the season. We were over in the Flathead for a short time this summer, and it was sad to see the old place. Take care and hope you’re having a great fall!