September 4, 2016 Big Sky Country
Our last posting was from Saskatchewan
and since then we have been enjoying Montana. We crossed the
international border into NW North Dakota then turned westward across
northern Montana on the Hi-Line Road (U.S. 2). If you
ever wonder where the flour we use comes from, come see the endless
wheat fields of Montana. The terrain is mostly rolling hills and
occasional river bottoms with small towns. As we left the town of Cut
Bank, we could discern the Rocky Mountains again. Destination:
Glacier National Park.
We used Rising Sun campground on the
east side of the park for our base of operations for two days. We
missed the official 100th anniversary celebration of the
National Park Service by two days and entrance to the park was free
when we arrived. We did some hiking and explored the Two Medicine
Lake area that we had not seen on our two previous visits to the park
(1980 and 1997). Small world experience: a seasonal employee in one
of the gift shops recognized Brian from when we lived in Piper's
Meadow more than 27 years ago! We saw a black bear cross the road in
front of us – too quick for a photo.
St. Mary Lake, Glacier National Park
Baring Falls, Glacier NP
Sun Point Trail, Glacier NP
Running Eagle Falls, Glacier NP
Two Medicine Lake, Glacier NP
We got an early start on the third day
to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road to the west side of the park. We
reached Logan Pass before 8:00 and snagged a parking spot before the
parking lot filled up. We hiked across an alpine meadow below
Clements Mountain on the Hidden Lake Trail. We saw a marmot and more
than a dozen mountain goats – some walked right up to us (good for
us, but probably means they are fed by people). Off in the distance
we saw two bighorn sheep. We camped at Avalanche Creek that night.
Hidden Lake Trail, Clements Mtn.
Hidden Lake Trail over alpine meadow from Logan Pass
Hidden Lake (smoke from fires in the distant valley)
Hidden Lake
This little guy was staying out of the hot sun.
A sign that matched my shirt - The Mountains Are Calling and I Must Go (John Muir)
Avalanche Creek
Trail of the Cedars, Glacier NP
neat tree roots
(Note: After the free weekend, we
bought a new National Parks Pass since our old one expired in July.
We buy one every year and are eagerly looking forward to next
February when Brian turns 62 and can buy his lifetime senior pass for
only $10. The park rangers see his white hair and ask him if he
knows about this great deal!)
We drove around the southern end of
Glacier NP across Marias Pass and made a stop at the Theodore
Roosevelt monument. We made our way to Great Falls and beyond to
Fort Benton on the Missouri River. We ate a picnic dinner next to
the Montana State Lewis and Clark Monument, a sculpture overlooking
the river where they passed in 1805.
Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea sculpture in Fort Benton
Missouri River in Fort Benton with monument to a local legend, Shep
We returned to Great Falls the next
morning for groceries and much-needed haircuts. The camper hatch
wouldn't shut properly and we couldn't fix it ourselves. Luckily,
there is a dealer for our brand of camper in town and they were able
to fix it for only $35.00 – we were “happy campers” about
that!. The whole day was not lost so we were able to make a return
visit to the Charles M. Russell Art Museum and a short visit at the
Lewis and Clark Historic Trail Interpretive Center....excellent
exhibits.
On display at Lewis and Clark Historic Trail Center, Great Falls, MT
Between Great Falls and Helena, we
stopped for a boat tour on a section of the Missouri River named
“Gates of the Mountains” by Meriwether Lewis when he passed
through it in 1805. We saw bald eagles, osprey, rare plants, rock
formations on the canyon walls, and the site of the tragic Mann Gulch
forest fire of 1949.
Missouri River seen from an overlook along I-15
campsite on the M. River bank
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area
The "gates" on the Missouri River
We spent four days in Helena, capital
city of Montana. We had never visited this city of 30.000 people
before and it promotes geocaching in a big way. We completed the
Helena GeoTour and saw many interesting places in town and in the
surrounding communities. We rode the “Tour Train” (trolley) and
learned local history of the gold found in Last Chance Gulch and saw
the mansion district. Participation in the geotour earned us free
admission to the Montana Historical Museum and a carousel ride. We
visited the Capitol building and attended mass at the Cathedral of
St. Helena.
Sunrise over the Missouri River and . . .
Rainbow at the end of the same day.
Montana Historical Museum in Helena
Downtown Helena, Last Chance Gulch
When was the last time we rode a carousel? Can't remember. This one was free.
Montana State Capitol in Helena
We gave up our campsite on the river
for a motel in Helena when a weather forecast predicted snow in the
mountain passes around Helena and cold, rainy weather for Labor Day.
Antelope, MT ( a geocache was inside)
Cut Bank, Montana
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