Looking for ideas on how to enjoy the cold weather? Outdoor Recreation continues to provide outdoor excursions, and last week’s getaway into the woods up New World Gulch in Bear Canyon was no exception.

This small snowshoe expedition proved to be an adventure and well worth the effort. Following the snowy gulch, hikers weaved their way up the snow-covered runoff creek and through the beautiful Montana wilderness.

Austin Borisy, a transfer student at MSU, ventured into the backcountry and snowshoed for the first time. “There aren't many better ways to spend a Saturday than getting away from the classroom, getting into the woods and getting a workout the old-fashioned way,” Borisy said.“There's nothing to put the mind at ease like the trickle of a stream made louder by the silence around you.” Borisy was one of five snowshoe hikers on the outing.

At the top of the Gulch and well into the canyon, the trail levels out and opens into a great meadow. At this junction hikers can continue on a loop trail passing around the base of Mount Ellis, or continue following the trail out of the gulch. While it was Outdoor Rec’s original plan to take the loop, continuing their adventure through the woods took precedent. It wasn’t until sighting Mystic Lake that they they were off course.

Borisy said, “I'm also the kind of person who enjoys getting a little lost and figuring out where we are, where we have to go and how to get back on track.” What was meant to be a six-mile loop hike turned into a nine-mile out and back. It was worth every foot.

Outdoor Rec hosts outings every Saturday. The next trip on Saturday, Jan. 28 is to Mill Creek for a cross-country ski tour, followed by a soak at Chico Hot Springs. Cost is $20, and transportation and equipment are provided. Sign up now before it’s too late, and check out future outings at montana.edu/outdoorrecreation.