Day 11 - Montana Roads

As we traveled Western Montana, from  the southern border to the northern one, we encountered many different scenes and landscapes along the way. We also traveled on many types and sizes of  roadways.  Here are just a sampling of them:

South of Drummond on Hwy 1 on our way to Phillipsburg, looking at the Anaconda Range.

Heading southwest towards the Gem Mountain mine on Skahalko Pass road 38.
We were looking at the Sapphire Mountains.

Heading east on Hwy 1 climbing the gorge up to Anaconda.
Driving through the Anaconda Range.

Almost up to the top of  Homestake Pass out of Butte which is on the Continental Divide.

Driving south on Hwy 41 toward Twin Bridges. The Pioneer Mountains were to the right.

Almost to the Ruby Reservoir on Hwy 287, near the town of Alder.
Here we were either looking at the Snowcrest Range or the Ruby Range.

Almost to Badger Pass on County Road 278. Driving through the Pioneer Mountains.

Some road west of Big Hole Pass on County Road 278. Looking at the Pioneer Mountains. 

Almost to the town of Wisdom on County Road 278, you can see the scenery behind us on on Pat's mirror.
Those are the Beaverhead Mountains.

Some road off of Hwy 43 near Chief Joseph Pass. This was on our way to a boondock camp.

This was the turnoff "road" leading to our boondock camp.

Heading north on Hwy 93 down Chief Joseph Pass.
The Sapphire Range was to our right and the Bitterroot Mountains were on our left.

This is the road along the south shore of Hungry Horse reservoir just
southeast of Glacier National Park. We were looking at the Flathead Range.

Heading north on Hwy 93, just north of Whitefish.
Almost to the Canadian border. Looking at the Whitefish Range.

Heading north on Hwy 93, nearing Eureka.

South on Hwy 37 along the east shore of Lake Koocanusa looking at the Purcell Mountains.

This road is County Road 567 driving through the Purcell Mountains close to Yaak. Actually this was a better portion of the road. I was gripping my armrest for the narrower parts. It turns out locals call it "The Pipeline". 

Driving south on Hwy 200 near Trout Creek, looking at the Cabinet Mountains.

Traveling west on County Road 135 toward the town of St. Regis following the Clark Fork River.
We were almost back to I-90, our quick route to and from Montana.


It is so interesting to see the changes of landscape while traveling. I am not sure which type I enjoy the most, probably because each has its bright spots. Sometimes I think I like the desert best because of the sweet smell of the sagebrush and the lonliness of the landscape. Other times what I like best is the high ponderosa pine forest with its lovely scent and soft duff under foot. However, anything having to do with water, be it creek, river, or lake always draws me to jump in. 

The Earth is fascinating with all of its differences. The rocks and mountains that bend, lift, and drop. The plains that are flat, rolling for miles and miles. The water in all its different forms and colors. What an amazing creation we have the pleasure to live upon. 

I hope you have enjoyed the blog of this summer's travels. Where to next year? Well, we have an idea, but evidently it depends on what is happening medically, socially, and politically. Hopefully, up north again... fingers crossed. 

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