Early event at Hyalite Lake - Chisholm campground

Join us for overnight camping or just come up for the day for kayaking/picnic for this early season Hyalite visit.

**PLEASE RSVP FOR CAMPING BY MAY 20th**
RSVP for day event on June 2nd by May 27th
Kerie is now coordinating campsites. She's in charge of the event. (Steve is working on the Big Spring event a few weeks later)

WHERE: Chisholm Campground (further upstream from the larger Hood Creek campground).

Organizers and other members have reserved campsites for various nights, and the entire campground for June 2nd.

PLEASE RSVP ON THIS EVENT OR TO KERIE by May 20th IF CAMPING AND NOTE IN COMMENTS WHICH DATES YOU WOULD LIKE TO CAMP (if available)

Kerie is putting a chart to make it easy to see what sites we have for what nights and coordinate who camps where and reimbursing organizers.

Each site allows 2 vehicles and at least one tent so potential to double up and save costs.

We will keep Site #5 as our main site for gathering, unloading kayaks and evening-only visitors - see above photo at low water. Update you on that as we get closer. There is a daytime parking lot across the road and a bit higher. Carpooling encouraged for day visits!

COST: Direct cost for campsite if reimbursing (or half of campsite if split), plus we will determine a small fee for campsite and supplies such as propane, firewood, coffee, etc. (based on number of participants) and to cover any cancellation fees for not using sites.

FOOD PLANS AND POTLUCK SIGN UP:
We are handling main dishes for the grill and eggs for breakfast on Tuesday, plus couple of other apps. Potluck otherwise.
Please submit what you're bringing at: (Email and phone not necessary)
Use password 2025
https://www.PerfectPotluck.com/LVTE2772

To reduce plastic, please bring your own utensils and water bottle (we will have a few extra utensils available for serving)

ITEMS NEEDED IN ADDITION TO FOOD:
Medium-to-large camp grill for burgers and brats
Propane for grill
Drinking water
Firewood & kindling
Lighter(s)/long matches

(We will reimburse for any of above purchased if you tell us in advance - we will be collecting $ from those attending toward the food and supplies, amount TBD)

KAYAK TRANSPORT OPTIONS:
Kerie and/or Steve can transport kayaks on their trailers. Steve lives near the entrance to Hyalite canyon so will not stay overnight. However he has a 17' trailer for hauling kayaks and could leave it in one of the sites for hauling kayaks up at the beginning and down at the end of the event. Let us know if you would like us to bring your boat up, easiest if you can get your boat to use prior to event, but possible we can pick up.
(Steve's house is 49 E. Hodgeman Rd - close to the curve off South 19th. Kerie is at 1711 Rainbow Rd off S. 19th a bit further to the north)

BACK STORY:
Why this particular campground? There's fierce competition for the group site at Hood Creek (must book 1 year in advance). Kerie mentioned to Steve this smaller campground rather than the larger one as an alternative. Steve had not been to it in years, so he drove up and brought a camera. The above photo was taken by Steve on September 11, 2024 about 25 feet from a middle campsite when the water level was low. In late June / early July it will likely be a few feet higher which might be good for launching at this spot.

Probably 15 years earlier Steve had paddled in this upper part of the reservoir, particularly where the water from the Hyalite waterfalls flows into the lake / reservoir. As he got close to the inflow, he noticed fish swimming below his boat. He was probably in about 2.5 feet of water.

"Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT) spawn in Hyalite Reservoir in Montana when water temperatures reach 3°C. Spawning can occur as early as May 11 and as late as June 10, with a median date of May 28. Spawning peaks can occur as early as June 2 and as late as June 26, with a median peak date of June 12.
The inlet stream to Hyalite Reservoir is closed from the 3rd Saturday in May until November 30 to protect spawning cutthroat and grayling. Cutthroat trout are catch-and-release in all streams."

Why did we not schedule this for a likely peak season of about June 12?
- because we had already scheduled the Big Spring event near that time and that had to be done (and paid for) a year in advance. We can't be in both places at the nearly same time.

-Steve