The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

This past Sunday, September 24, Havre Trails partnered with Hays-Lodgepole High School science teacher Rod Benson, who offered a hike to Hole in the Wall and Mission Ridge in Mission Canyon just outside of Hays, Montana. This was another fundraiser for Mr. Benson's archery program at Hays-Lodgepole School.

The approximately 4.8 mile hike featured unique rock formations like Hole in the Wall, as well as a scenic overlook onto the Little Rockies. Afterward, there was an optional hike up Mission Peak, which included a three-mile drive to a separate trailhead. Following the hike, those with extra time travelled thirty minutes further south to the Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing area, where hundreds of elk congregate each fall.

Several hikers left Havre at 9:00 a.m. to travel to Hays. Those travelers met up with others at Hays-Lodgepole High School parking lot at 10:30 a.m. The group then embarked on the approximately four-hour hike up through the Hole in the Wall, then to the canyon overlook, then to Mission Ridge. According to Hike Contact Lindsey Bennett, this was a hike of moderate difficulty with some steep areas and loose rock. The optional hike up Mission Peak was categorized as "very difficult."