Distance
~4 Miles
Elevation Gain
500 Feet
Difficulty
Moderate
Cost Per Person
$600
Program Overview
January 29th, 2027 – January 31st, 2027: Join us at Big Creek Outdoor Center for a long weekend of winter immersion into the Crown of the Continent ecosystem. This course introduces winter wildlife ecology by exploring changing predator-prey dynamics and the remarkable adaptations that allow wildlife to survive the coldest months.
Winter Wildlife Ecology
Hike Overview Continued
January 29th, 2027 – January 31st, 2027: Join us at Big Creek Outdoor Center for a long weekend of winter immersion into the Crown of the Continent ecosystem. This course introduces winter wildlife ecology by exploring changing predator-prey dynamics and the remarkable adaptations that allow wildlife to survive the coldest months.
Our sessions will concentrate on hunting behaviors, prey-escape strategy, specialized adaptations, tracks and scat, sub-nivean activity and the interconnected relationships between habitat, food sources, and seasonal survival.
Designed for naturalists, educators, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the hidden stories written in snow. This long-weekend experience offers a rare opportunity to deepen your understanding of winter wildlife ecology, while enjoying the solitude and beauty of the remote North Fork.
Travel through the winter landscape will be tailored to current snow conditions, participant abilities, and group interests, and may include hiking, snowshoeing, or other appropriate modes of travel.
Beat the winter blues, bring your curiosity and come enjoy winter with a few like-minded folks!
*All classes and participants adhere to ‘Leave No Trace’ ethics.*
Meeting Place: Big Creek Outdoor Education Center – 6500 N. Fork Rd. Polebridge, MT 59928
Itinerary: (subject to change due to trail closures and weather) This long-weekend experience offers a rare opportunity to deepen your understanding of winter wildlife ecology, while enjoying the solitude and beauty of the remote North Fork. We will have a pre-course presentation, covering the basics of track and sign. Travel through the winter landscape will be tailored to current snow conditions, participant abilities, and group interests, and may include hiking, snowshoeing, or other appropriate modes of travel.
Park Entrance Fees: Participants are responsible for purchasing their park entry passes prior to the course. These can be purchased online at: https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74280.
Physical Requirements: Moderate. Depending on the snow conditions, we will either snowshoe approximately two – four miles along a flat trail.
Recommended Reading:
- Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species by Mark Elbroch and Casey McFarland
- Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign by Paul Rezendes
What to Expect On Your
- Hands-on wilderness skills, tracks & trails, hunting behaviors
- Navigation practice with maps and compasses
- Interconnected relationships between habitat, food sources, and seasonal survival
- Deepen understanding of winter wildlife ecology
* Any trails listed on this program or others are subject to change due to trail closure, weather, trail conditions, or wildlife.
Program Details
- This program meets at Big Creek Outdoor Education Center – 6500 N. Fork Rd. Polebridge, MT 59928
- Instructors – Glacier Institute OES & Montana FWP Education Team
- The program will begin Friday 4 p.m. and ends at 1 p.m. on Sunday following lunch.
- Hiking distance covers up to 4 miles, than 500 feet elevation change.
- Glacier National Park Vehicle Pass required, purchase at recreation.gov.
- On-site parking available.
- There is a maximum number of 13 guests per course.
- This program has a minimum guest count of 3 people. In the unlikely case we don’t reach that number, you will be notified prior to the event.
What to Bring
Please remember that weather in NW Montana during all seasons can change quickly from warm and sunny to freezing at any time of the year. We recommend checking the weather prior to your trip. Please also check your course information sheet for specific gear requirements in addition to those listed below.
- Lightweight hiking boots or a sturdy pair of hiking shoes
- 2 liter sized water bottle or Camelback
- Day Pack with plastic bag liner or cover
- Waterproof rain jacket and pants
- Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant & lip balm
- Camera (optional)
- Trekking poles, if you like to use them for hiking (optional)
- Binoculars (optional)
- Field Notebook notes and sketches