Belly River ranger cabin damaged by storm

Fierce winter winds have heavily damaged the historic Belly River Ranger Station cabin in Glacier National Park. All told, about a quarter of the cabin's roof and nearly half of the shingles were blown away.

Park officials said the damage likely occurred during windstorms in December and January. The same storms caused significant damage on the Blackfeet Reservation and stoked a huge grass fire there.

An emergency $40,000 grant from the Glacier National Park Fund helped to pay for repairs to the structure, which was also loaded with snow and ice.

A significant amount of snow accumulated inside the cabin, resulting in water and ice damage to the flooring, interior finishes, furnishings and equipment. The storm also damaged a jack-leg fence around the horse pasture.

Crews flew in by helicopter with supplies, removed snow from the building, constructed a temporary roof, used the cabin's wood stove to dry out the building and furnishings, and inventoried the site to help prepare for final repairs this summer. After four days of work, the crew skied out.

The ranger station, built in 1925, is more than six miles from the nearest road, but the Chief Mountain Road is closed in winter, making it even more remote. The station is located in a broad valley in the northeast corner of the Park.

The Park Service will complete repairs this spring and summer. Meanwhile, backcountry travelers are urged to use caution near the cabin because debris may still be scattered under the snow.

The Belly River Ranger Station retains its historic configuration, with a combination residence and office, barn, woodshed and fire cache, and few intrusions and excellent physical integrity. The local legendary figure Joe Cosley was the first Belly River District Ranger and lived at the site in its early years.