2020-18
Salmon Idaho to
Montana
Bannack Ghost Town
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| good roads, gradual climb through mountain pass |
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the roads have actually been in great condition through
Idaho and into Montana. |
Campground: Shoup
Bridge Campground. Salmon Idaho. $5.00. Senior rate: $2.50. Small
campground, about 8 sites, two of which are actually in the parking
lot. Paved. Water available. BLM. Fair Verizon reception.
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| Shoup Bridge Campground. Salmon Idaho. |
Campground: Bannack
State park. Bannack Ghost town. Campground cost includes entrance
fee and campsite: $28.00 non resident rate. Most sites are
reservations required. I got one of the 4/5 open sites. Right next
to a nice river/stream. Grassy site, some trees. Water available.
No cell reception.
Note: the most I’ve
paid for a campsite all summer.
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| Bannack State park. Bannack Ghost town. Campground |
Campground: Lone
Tree. On Clark Canyon Reservoir. 20 miles of Dillion MT. Free.
Well water available. Covered picnic tables, fire pit with grill.
Views of lake. Grassy sites. 14 day limit. Good Verizon signal.
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| Lone Tree. On Clark Canyon Reservoir. |
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| Free, BLR, Lone Tree |
Salmon Idaho.
Completing my drive
along hwy 93, a scenic byway through Idaho, spending a few days in
the Salmon Idaho area. Observing the locals from around the country
and in particular smaller towns, I’ve notice most don’t bother to
wear face coverings. This is also heavy republican country where
they feel their rights are being challenged by having to wear a mask.
Just my observation, but we will not get out of this pandemic unless
the entire country complies with this simple rule. Wear a face
covering, wash hands frequently.
In any case, Salmon
is a nice small town with enough services to fill most needs, though
no major stores or chain restaurants. I counted at least 5 shops
that sell guns and a large store selling ammo. There are a few
museums including the Sacajawea interpretive center. Lewis and
Clark, with Sacajawea’s help passed through this area on their way
to the west coast surveying the entire country along the way.
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| Salmon Idaho, The Owl Nightclub |
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| FEDEX store, beautifully painted and tons of flowers |
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| next to BLM campsite, outside of Salmon Idaho |
Distance Traveled:
119 miles
Bannack State park,
Ghost Town.
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| Bannack, a Ghost Town, Montana |
Thanks to a fellow
traveler, Gail Hanley, for sharing info on this site. I had added it
to my summer travels. This making the 4th ghost town I’ve
been able to explore in recent weeks. Bannack was originally had
gold and silver mining and was the 1st territorial capital
for Montana. A fair number of buildings have been maintained. This
is one of the many ghost towns where we are permitted to walk through
a number of the buildings, which becomes boring after only going
through a couple, as they are empty, devoid of artifacts, furnishings
or very little information as to who lived there. Though I was given
a fairly good booklet with some information, which does help
reconstruct what life would have been like in this far off outpost.
They do provide a walking tour daily, but with the current pandemic I
would not feel comfortable walking around with a “group” of
tourists.
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| originally a courthouse, then a hotel |
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| what awesome scenery all around |
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| little zippy taking me around |
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| mostly just torn wallpaper on every wall. |
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| a few people still lived here until 1972 |
Still, it was nice
to walk around, occasionally avoiding a small crowd of fellow
tourists. The buildings being spread out along a long and wide dirt
main road. Giving everyone plenty of space to explore, roam between
buildings and enjoy wonderful mountain views and fresh air.
Dillon Montana
Just down the road a
piece
Then it was down the
road to Dillon Montana. A very nice size town, that was having a
new yearly downtown event, with the usual craft tents, food etc.
Something I’ve avoided during this trip. Still amazed that they
are having such events, and from what I can tell, they are less
congested then in the past, but still, no one being careful or using
face coverings.
I did drive over to
Clark’s Lookout State Park, right on the edge of town. This is a
spot that Clark, from the Lewis and Clark expedition used to view the
entire region. And what a grand view it is. Getting his bearings
before continuing the expedition heading to the Pacific coast. It’s
nice to be able to touch a piece history in the making of our
country. A nice large compass made of granite is on the lookout
site. Designed after the compass Clark carried on the journey west.
A nice tribute.
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| Clark’s Lookout State Park |
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almost felt like a kid again climbing
around and on top of all the rocks |
Backing up a bit:
Crossing over from
Idaho into Montana on hwy 43 heading to Bannack, I passed by the Nez
Perce National Historic Park. I didn’t stop as I’m not a big fan
of checking out battle fields. Though it is all a part of our
history and I do go to some of the sites on occasion. Once I got to
Bannack and talked to one of the camphosts, she described how the
U.S. Army battled the Nez Perce tribe for the land in the area. The
Nez Perce were a very peaceful tribe and why the Army felt it
necessary to slaughter the Indian tribe, well, I guess you’d have
to go to battle field and find out. I did notice on their website
that the site is also set aside for “First Amendment Activities”
and are welcome here. Two locations having been set aside for these
activities.
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| scenes from along the roadside |
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| Montana, wide open space |
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| Montana, what views. |
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rest stop on top of a pass, before crossing
from Idaho into Montana
great roads, gradual elevation rise |
Heading about 20
miles south of Dillon Montana on Interstate 15, I’ve stopped at the
Clark Canyon Reservoir, for some free camping on the southern end of
the lake. What a nice setup. The road leading in, although paved is
in bad condition and when I got to my campsite at Lone Tree
campground, I discovered I had a flat tire. To make a long story
short, I called Progressive Insurance who dispatched a service truck
(3 hours later). Come to find out I had a bad valve stem. Which was
quickly replaced, tire re-installed and I was good to go. But since
I’m already at a great campsite, I plan on staying for a few days.
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| views around Lone Tree campsite, free couldn't be better |
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| old boat launch on southern end of lake |
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| well water at campsite |
The sunset last
night was stunning. Appearing to stretch out like a super wide
screen presentation wrapping around the entire lake with a low
mountain range. A narrow band of clouds matching the mountains. The
clouds turning pink, rosy red to deep red, with reflections against
the water. A sight to stir the heart and soul.
More photos:
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