Saturday, September 8, 2012

Big Hole Valley to Quake Lake


On Hwy 43, west of Wisdom, is the Big Hole National Battlefield where a significant battle was waged between the Nez Perce Indians and US Calvary as they were attempting to escape to Canada.


The Visitor Center


Overlook of the battlefield 


Poles representing where the teepees were located when the battle occurred 


Land of 10,000 Haystacks


The most prominent  building in downtown Wisdom


It's hay harvest time in the Big Hole


Riding Hwy 278 from Wisdom to Jackson Hot Springs


Osprey mom with two fledglings


Dennis cruising over the rollers


I love the town motto

A quaint town of 27 people was one of my favorite places on the tour


Main Street


The Mercantile run by friendly people serves tasty ice cream


You gotta' luv' a place that sells farm equipment


Frank unleashing his inner peace . . . 

I hope not!




The cool bar inside the Lodge




The only other people staying at the Lodge was another group of cyclists


Taking sunset photos of the town














Jeff, who once lived in Sacramento, is a care-taker of a ranch and allowed me onto the property to snoop around


Leaving Jackson for Dillon on Hwy 278


Beaver slide and haystack loaf


The town of Jackson over Mike's shoulder


The Bitteroot Mountains border the valley to the west


Hay loaves are surrounded by fences to keep cows and elk away 



The last view of Jackson


The south end of the Big Hole Valley


Hwy 278 as it swoops up toward Big Hole Pass






This is a first . . .  Big Bob leading the pack up to the top of the pass




Jay over the summit


Frank by a display of the Beaver Slide


Mike gazing into "Medium Hole" Valley


Herb cruising into a rest stop




Time to take 5 lads




Yikes! . . . a pickup passing the hay truck and coming right at me!!




A flock of Canada Geese . . . migration time






Beaverhead Rock on Hwy 41


This area is on the Central Flyway and we're beginning to see flocks of migrating birds


White Pelicans


V-Formation of flying geese over wildlife refuge


Passing through Twin Bridges . . .


. . . and Sheridan


Stopping in Nevada City where there is a collection of historic buildings














Old Dredger



A mile up the road is Virginia City, another historic mining town






Zooming down a fantastic 10 mile descent from pass to Ennis


Best City sign of trip


Fish art of Ennis




Fish next to Madison River


A great little motel in Ennis


The Palisades on the Madison River. . . on the way to Yellowstone


Madison River


The scar in the side of the mountain delineates the massive landslide which occurred in 1959 killing 19 people,  blocked the Madison River and created Quake Lake



Standing in front of Quake Lake


Dead trees after the creation of Quake Lake


The cafe at the Campfire Resort near Quake Lake where we spent the night 


Click on "Older Posts" to continue the Tour


No comments: