w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m
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THE LITTLE BELT
MOUNTAINS
THE ALLURE
OF THE SLUICE BOXES
From the early days, the Sluice
Boxes area was renowned for
exceptional fishing and hunting.
As early as 1913 a "fishing train"
dropped off anglers in the morning
and retrieved them at the end of the day. Although the train stopped
running on November 11, 1945, and the tracks are gone, more than
ever, the Sluice Boxes is a popular recreation area.
The main entrance is at the Evans-Riceville parking area, where
many people start their fishing journey in this popular stream. The
other option is to drive up the road to the Overlook parking area to
access the upper part of the 7.34-mile trail that crosses Belt Creek 16
times.
There is an alternate route that avoids the initial cliff area along
the upper trail, but the views of this spectacular area are worth
walking the narrow path. There are
several opportunities along the trail
to visit Belt Creek, making it a per-
fect hike for a picnic or quick fishing
trip; many people continue along
the route to the 200-foot-long tunnel
blasted through the rock with its soot-blackened ceiling.
This hike is unique as it combines stunning natural beauty with
equally intriguing manmade features such as the dry stack stone
walls and remaining trestles. Venturing roughly three miles past the
tunnel, visitors can explore the ghost town of Albright, a booming
limestone quarry for decades, where abandoned boilers and the
remnants of the town can be seen.
There's only enough room for a half-dozen vehicles, but some hikers
park a second vehicle at the Logging Creek Bridge to be able to shut-
tle back to their starting point. This is also a popular spot to launch
kayaks to float these Class II and III rapids in the spring.
Fishing in the Sluice Boxes
FOR THOSE SEEKING ADVENTURE OR SOLITUDE, THE LITTLE BELTS ARE THE PLACE TO BE.
AMY
GRISAK