O'Brien Park
Submitted by admin on Sun, 11/12/2006 - 12:26am
(1 vote)
Location
46° 51' 45.9828" N, 110° 43' 14.6244" W
Description:
Mid-sized backcountry area with high winds daily. A 2.5-3 mile walk, snowmobile, etc. unless the road in is plowed. In 2006, the road was plowed until roughly December 1. Montana Snowmobile Adventures, an outfitter located just over the hill, is scheduled to open around December 15th.
Directions:
Take highway US 89 south from Great Falls until 10-15 miles after Neihart. The first access point is the entrance to Silvercrest Cross Country Ski Area on the right side of the road. Divide Road (Forest Service road 839 on the map) is the second access point, also on the right, and is not typically plowed. The third access point is the pullout at the top of King's Hill pass - just before Showdown Ski Area. If Divide Road isn't plowed, you'll need to park at either Silvercrest, or the top of the pass and hike. Parking on the highway at Divide Road may be possible if there's room, but I can't recommend it.
Parking at Silvercrest is probably the best way if you have to hike. When parking at Silvercrest, hike from your car, parallel to the highway about .5 miles southwest to the unplowed entrance to Divide Road. Then follow this road northwest for 2 miles. You'll pass under powerlines. It's an easy hike because it's like a snowmobile highway. Put your gear in a sled for an easy walk. Watch for crazy snowmobilers.
When parking at the pass, follow the snowmobile trails west and into the FS campground. Take the left fork at the campground loop (see map - the campground is at the northwest corner of the ski area). Continue counter-clockwise on the campground loop past a gated forest service road that goes to the top of the ski hill. While still traveling counter-clockwise on the campground loop, you'll encounter a twisty snowmobile path goes north to the powerlines. You can almost see it on the satelite view. Take the twisty road to the power lines, then down the steep hill to the beginning of the park. Watch out for crazy snowmobilers on the twisty road. The return trip to the pass is a steep climb up what could be a stiff blue diamond run, directly under the power lines...
Either way, you'll know when you get there. The best spot is usually the 2nd large clearing through the trees at the very top of the hill. If you're feeling in shape, or have a snowmobile, Moose Park is also good. Continue 2 miles down Divide Road.
