Simply this as soon as?
A number of years in the past, a pair pals and I snowshoed up Casey Peak the day after Christmas. Due to the deep snow, it was extraordinarily difficult however very superb as properly. You may examine it in considered one of my earlier posts. My coverage with this weblog has been to function a hike solely as soon as (99 posts thus far). Nevertheless mountain climbing Casey Peak in the summertime is such a unique expertise from snowshoeing it within the winter that I made a decision to make an exception. So right here goes.
Subsequent stage.
My favourite factor about dwelling in Helena is the unbelievable path system that borders the southern fringe of city – over 70 miles of well-maintained trails, due to the Prickly Pear Land Belief and the Metropolis of Helena. I hike the Helena trails 4-5 occasions per week once I’m on the town. For many Helenans who wish to get into mountain climbing, the 1906 Path to the highest of Mt. Helena is a typical first step (about 3.5 miles round-trip). As soon as they’ve earned their Mt. Helena badge, a logical subsequent step is perhaps the 7-mile Ridge Path, which ends on the Mt. Helena Trailhead. After increase stamina and confidence, some will ultimately be prepared to check their mettle with a tougher hike. For Helena space hikers, Casey Peak is a good alternative for that massive subsequent step (10.5 miles round-trip with 3,500 ft. of elevation acquire).
A enjoyable summit.
The path to Casey Peak begins on the Casey Meadows Trailhead, a 16-mile drive from Helena. The favored well-maintained path climbs steadily for the primary 2.5 miles, crossing the East Fork of McLellan Creek 3 times earlier than reaching Casey Meadows – canine love these crossings! Half a mile past the grassy clearing is one other stream crossing – after which the steep portion of the hike begins. Over the past two miles the path climbs 2,000 toes to the summit, however the views get higher the upper you go. A curious-looking stone construction sits atop the summit – the primary ground of a hearth lookout that was used briefly within the early 1900’s. Its wood second story with walk-around deck crumbled away a number of years in the past.
Choices.
Casey can be a really perfect place for conditioning whether or not you’re an avid hiker, a trail-runner, or wish to get in form for an upcoming back-packing journey. I prefer to climb it at the very least as soon as every summer season, and I additionally get pleasure from an nearly annual snowshoe hike to the frozen waterfall under and to the north of the summit. In truth, once I hiked up Casey Peak final week, I ventured over to take a look at the waterfall and cave that sits behind it – simply wished to see what it’s like there in the summertime. The side-trip added a pair miles to my hike, but it surely was properly value it. To see a few of what I noticed, together with some drone photographs, try the picture tour (see hyperlink under). Make sure to learn the captions.
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KUHL alternative.
On a facet word, an out of doors clothes firm known as KUHL lately contacted me about presumably sponsoring my weblog. The deal we made is that they might ship me a free pair of pants to attempt, I’d write a evaluate on my subsequent put up (this one), after which we’d take it from there. Seemed like an excellent deal – Heck yeah, I’ll take some free KUHL pants!
KUHL has been affected person as a result of it’s been a very long time since my final put up. Right here’s what I take into consideration the KUHL pants . . .
I’ve an older pair of black KUHL mountain climbing pants, that are those I wore through the Casey Peak hike featured above – you’ll see them within the photographs. Those they despatched me to check out are known as RADIKL. I even have just a few pairs of non-KUHL pants that I put on. Though the KUHL pants are costlier, they’re undoubtedly extra sturdy. The stitching is way increased high quality and the material is much less susceptible to ripping. My different pants simply don’t maintain up as properly with all of the off-trail bush-whacking I love to do. My black KUHL pants have outlived my different mountain climbing pants and I anticipate the identical of the RADIKL pants they despatched me.
One other function I REALLY like is the articulated knees, which supplies them a extra athletic form – designed for shifting, not standing. It’s only a extra snug match for mountain climbing. I additionally admire the little stretch side-panel on the waist. It makes for a pleasant comfortable (not tight) match, so I don’t even need to put on a belt. I wore the RADIKLs on a number of of my snowshoeing hikes within the Little Rockies final winter and I like them significantly better than different pants I’ve worn. They’re made for shifting, and that’s what I love to do.