Belly River Mid July Updates

[teapot57]

We’re baaack! A few things we discovered last week that might be helpful for others to know:

1. There is no cable for crossing the river at the the Cosley Lake cut off. It’s no big deal to cross because the water level is low, but just so you know.

2. Cosley campground is in great shape. Trail crew has been through and they’ve cut down the vegetation along the access trail and through out the campground. A much welcomed treat after slogging through wet vegetation for a few days.

3. GLH has not yet been maintained by trail crew and is super brushy. Lots of gnats flying around the meadows and keep your eye out for the mouse in the food prep area that appears to be tripping on acid. It was running in circles and trying to climb up vegetation then falling down. Seemed a little off!

4. The bear incident at Mokowanis Lake (which reopened while we were there) was not quite as described to me by the ranger in St Mary. According to Alison, the Belly River ranger, it was a curious juvenile black bear pouncing on tents that caused the closure (rather than a grizzly finding an Ursack). Decoy tents were set up and put on camera for some time and apparently it got bored and moved on so the problem resolved. We were told to watch for this bear and stand our ground if he approached but we never saw it.

5. We saw the Belly River rangers frequently and our permits were checked twice. After awhile they knew who we were. Nice that they are making sure the permit rules are followed.

Full trip reports will follow, but you might have to wait awhile.

[FuzzySideDown]

Welcome back!! Glad to hear the bear incident may have been less troublesome than first thought!

[orin]

It's interesting that the rangers had completely different stories. When I asked they didn't seem to know. I also was asked for a permit by two different rangers. That is the first time I was asked in about the last 10 years. I asked the second ranger if they were stepping up enforcement and she said no but it seemed to me they probably were. One of the rangers was a roving back country ranger that wasn't based at Belly River RS. I was nearly asked a third time but that ranger was on horseback and leading a string of horses up to work on the Bear Mountain lookout trail. She asked me several questions but didn't want to dismount or have me get too close to her horse. A bit more enforcement would be a good thing in my experience.

[paul]

Welcome back Tina, glad you had a nice trip!

Not sure I want to know that a bear was pouncing on tents for fun (before I go out there next month)

I'm glad they are checking permits, I will make sure everyone in my party takes a picture of the permit in case we get separated.

[Ipasha Jen]

Trail to the GLH pit toilet:
One star. Don’t recommend. Especially after a heavy rain. It was a jungle back there!

[sbosecker]

Trail to the GLH pit toilet:

Ipasha Jen,

Date this horror occured? HA!

Best regards

Scott

[Ipasha Jen]

7/12-7/13

[VGplay]

Great to hear about the Cosley campsite, especially since I'll be staying there in two weeks! Thanks for sharing.

[Flatt Matt]

Teapot
I can’t thank you enough for bringing me along on this wild adventure. I did get a little wet when I accidentally fell in the river but overall I had a great time!
I will post a trip report soon!

[teapot57]

You sure kept things entertaining! We were never sure what you would do next.

Looking forward to your trip report!

[liketohike]

I can't wait for that trip report!

And thanks for all the updates, teapot!

[FuzzySideDown]

Looking forward to Flatt Matt’s trip report!!! Admittedly, I’m looking forward to everyone’s trip reports, but I’m really looking forward to Flatt Matt’s travels!!