Rosalia scouts trek across Montana's Bitterroots

ROSALIA - Local scouts hit the trail for a weeklong hike that covered about 60 miles July 22-28.

"What an adventure for the Rosalia Boy Scouts," Clay Gehring said of the trek. "Thirteen boys and five adults hiked the Kelly Creek Trail Loop in Idaho and Montana..."

Hike participants included Brian and Thomas Place, Jessie Fullteron, Bruce and Joe Pritchett, Justin and Isaac Fuchs, Matthew and Bill Maley, Riley Gehring, Hudson Butcher, Gabe Morgan, Jacob Goyke and Charlie Henning. Noah Fuchs, Austin Goyke, Clay Gehring and Pat Brown also completed the trek.

According to Clay Gehring, traversing the route "the boys displayed amazing teamwork, grit and adaptability through all the challenges during the hike."

The trail takes hikers through the Bitterroot Mountains and reaches an elevation of 7,124 feet a bove sealevel, nearly a 4,000-foot climb from the trailhead at 3,154 feet.

The trail winds along Kelly Creek and its tributaries, Moose Creek and several lakes, including Kid, Mud and Fish.

"The views at the top of the mountains as well as the pristine mountain lakes were amazing," he said. "And the boys' positive spirit and support for each other kept us moving forward despite the sore muscles, aching feet and tired bodies."

The trail is a moderate hike, but there are areas that are washed out and there are downed trees along the way, and in some places, the trail is easily lost by hikers.

"They will carry many lessons learned far beyond scouting," he said.