Rockslide Hits Popular Summer Relaxation Area Near Great Falls

Since the beginning of the year, central Montana has been home to several earthquakes, something that while not unheard of in the area, it is a bit of an anomaly for the region.  Those small quakes even brought slight damage to my home, with new cracks showing in the walls immediately afterwards.

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Now it appears that those same quakes have adjusted the landscape at a popular destination near Great Falls for hikers and those looking to cool off a bit during the hot summer months.

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Rockslide Hits Popular Summer Relaxation Area Near Great Falls

The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) Region 4 division recently announced that the Sluice Boxes State Park, located north of Belt, Montana had experienced a rockslide at some point in the past few months during winter.

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According to MFWP, the slide likely occurred because of the recent earthquakes within the region.  Possibilities could also include rapid freezing and thawing conditions, further deteriorating the stability of the rocks, along with the recurrent quakes.

MFWP Advising Hikers and Floaters Alike to Be Aware of New Obstacles

The new slide "resulted in numerous boulders deposited in the creek and also across parts of the trail" announced MFWP.  The specific area effected within the water is located about one-half mile downstream of Logging Creek Bridge on Belt Creek.  Floaters are advised to use extra caution navigating the stream, and if possible, scout the area beforehand.

For hikers, MFWP stated that the area affected is " less than 100 feet in length and will require hikers to scramble over large boulders to navigate across that section of the trail".  For further information on the Sluice Boxes State Park, visit the website here.