Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

On our days off this week, we decided to travel to Cardwell, MT, to visit Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park. Although Lewis and Clark did travel through this canyon area of the Jefferson River, they had absolutely nothing to do with the discovery and development of the caverns. (go figure)
Our attraction to the area did not really include the caverns, which have a $10.00 admission and 3/4 mile trek up the mountain to the entrance. We went there for the hiking and were not disappointed.



The park has a total of nine miles of hiking trails, most of which are listed as strenuous. On our second day at the park, we first hiked to the site of a former, gypsum mine. Gypsum is used to make plaster of paris and drywall...among other things.


The entrances have been closed with bars to keep people out and allow the bat colonies to come and go as they please.


The area has several ecosystems including mountain desert with cactus and lush, wet forest. It has been uncommonly cold this spring in Montana and the wildflowers and blossoming trees are just beginning to open.


On our hike, we climbed over 1,000 feet in 1.9 miles.
We arrived at the top where the entrance to the caverns is located along with a gift shop and cafe'. Although the sun was shining, a cold wind with temperatures in the 50's made being outside at the mountain top uncomfortable. Sharing a sandwich at an indoor table was a good thing.
Following our lunch, we continued on a rolling trail that led us down the other side of the mountain. The park road winds down the valley to the park entrance far below.


This bridge was constructed by the CCC in the 1930's. The stonework is extremely intricate and reminiscent of the vaulted arches in Europe that were also built throughout America until the 1800's. Although the group is disappearing in many areas of our country, Free Masons still abound in this area. Historically, stonework of this type was a trade secret passed on through what began as a medieval guild in Europe and then became a "secret society" in America, counting many of our Founding Fathers as members.


We walked through the dense greenery of the area and noted the mountain top where we lunched in the distance.


After six, strenuous miles, we came to the top of a rise to see our campground below. I, for one, was ready to take off my boots!




We were a bit disappointed that our only wildlife viewing was of the winged type. No bears, no mountain lions and no rattle snakes. We had warning signs for them all. In addition, we did not see any deer or coyote. I guess they don't like the cold either!


These are some shots we took on our first day at the park. We drove up to the top and stopped at some viewing points.




Since it was cold, we opted to rent a cabin instead of taking the tent. After rain moved in the second night, I was VERY happy to be inside.
This is Larry's "mugshot" for his family. The name Morrison is part of his family line and that was the name on our cabin.


The evening sun accented the brilliant, spring green of the trees surrounding the "rental" tipi at the campground.


This is just, plain scary!


Birds were everywhere at the campground. This Bullock's Oriole was enjoying the pine nuts in a tree next to our cabin.



Nearly a full moon on our first night.



We toasted marshmallows until the cold wind ended the fun.





We are still planning to get (try) to Yellowstone and the Tetons before the tourists. If only the snow would go away! It's been in the 40's and raining here in Deer Lodge all day and snow is in the forecast for tomorrow. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Catching Up!

Sorry that's it's been over a week since the last post. On our (M-Th) days off last week, we were busy being outside since the weather gods decided that it should be spring. Unfortunately, opposing forces took over last Thursday night. We had one of our too-frequent, low-pressure, "wind events" that apparently damaged the local, internet server's satellite and we had mostly no internet until yesterday.

It was a very busy, three days at the ranch with lots of kids on field trips. The schools here do a wonderful job educating the students about the history of Montana. Each year, grades 2,4 and 8 follow up on their class work by going on a spring, road tour to visit places they have studied.

On Larry's side of the ranch, we have been busy with new arrivals! Actually, one of my groups of second-grade students got to see a calf that had just been born. It was interesting since about half the group are "town kids" and the other half "ranch kids." It was a "wow" for the first and "nothin' new" for the second.

At the end of the day on Saturday, I walked over to the feed lots to meet Larry and found myself assisting him and Dawn with a cow and her calf.
The entire story is too long, but the short form is that the calf was born too soon and wouldn't even try to feed. Momma needed to be milked so the calf could be tube fed...and she wanted no part of that. Dawn and Larry spent about two hours trying to get her confined into a chute where they were finally able to milk her. I helped a little with opening and closing gates. By the time mama and baby were tucked back into the barn, it was 6:30. Dawn was taking her turn staying overnight on "calf watch," so we called for a pizza and shared dinner with her in the maintenance shed.
Sunday brought happy news, the little, male calf finally decided he was hungry!


I spent the day at the chuck wagon on Sunday. It was pretty cold and snow was hanging around the mountains, so I only had fifteen visitors at my area. The late afternoon sun provided inspiration to dig out my camera and share the beautiful colors and contrasting views from the ranch.










Last Thursday, we headed south and visited a ghost town that is now a Montana State Park. Bannock is noted as the place where gold was first found in Montana in the late 1800's. Bannock became the first territorial capital with its first Governor, Sidney Edgerton...who came from Tallmadge, Ohio! Here is a link to an interesting site with the story of Edgerton and Bannock.
http://clevelandcivilwarroundtable.com/articles/society/montana_vigilantes.htm

The town has been well-preserved, in part because of the dry conditions and also through the efforts over the years of local preservationists.
Larry and I spent at least four hours and plan to return.
Here are just a few of our pictures.

Gold was discovered in Grasshopper Creek on July 28, 1862. This strike set off a massive gold rush that swelled the population to over 3,000. When the gold ran out, the town died. However, some people remained until Bannock became a Montana State Park in 1954.


There are over 50 remaining structures, some are intact and others only on the exterior.






Bannock was the site of many "firsts" in the state's history. Bannock had the first jail, hotel, chartered Masonic Lodge (which still is active today!), hard rock mine, electric gold dredge and commercial sawmill. Bannock also had the first, official hangings!



The gallows as seen from the jail cell.


Bannock's wide, main street with wooden walks.


This building was first built as a court house and later remodeled as a hotel.

This is the entry hall...


complete with a tempting banister!


They are in the process of restoring the interior walls where the plaster has fallen down. The ceilings in the rooms are at least 12' high.


The remodeling included an addition with a hotel kitchen, dining room and rooms for workers.



This was originally one of the court rooms.

This huge safe is in the back of the court room and another one is in the lobby area.



Bannock school with the Masonic Temple on the second floor.


This merry-go-round was the only playground we saw at the school. Actually, it was the best one we have tried in a long time. It went around forever on it's own momentum.


Schoolhouse door







This picture is for my brother and sister because I am POSITIVE my mother papered a wall somewhere with the same design. Any ideas, you two??


There were only a couple other people around during our visit and it was pretty cool to "feel" the atmosphere of the place.


Of course, Larry had to have a drink at the local saloon.


Then we visited the Methodist church to get him back on the "right" road!


Blue sky and clouds in reflection.


We spent the last hour of our visit panning for garnets. The park provides a big pile of rock/gravel. From just one pan, we managed to find about a dozen garnets of various sizes. There are maybe two that could actually be placed in a setting. Lot's of work involved!
(I'm anxious to get to the sapphire and crystal digging areas. Still waiting for the snow to go away.)


We took Hwys 287 & 43 through Wisdom, MT on the way home. The views of the Bitterroot Mountains were spectacular in the late day sun. I was glad that Larry was patient (as always) during the many times I said "Stop here!."


Until next time, "Peace."