A Montana Journal

Hogan Cabin in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge. Late July, ca 2018 These few days past, me and Ol’ Black Tahoe, my trusted steed, looked out over a new horizon of adventure as we trailed again into them high mountains and made way deep into the Beaverhead-Deerlodge. There’s this rugged old cabin up there what is located as close as a person might get to the middle of lonely, situated in a vast and open mountain valley some 7,300-foot up. The government built the place back in the 1920s; giving fine and sturdy accommodation to smoke chasers, trail crews, timber cruisers and others working this high country. Tho there be no water nor electric nor other common convenience, it does possess beauty aplenty in its surroundings.  Packing in gear and grub, water and whiskey, we made camp here for two night among the trees and the stars and the wild things. On arrival, I took particular note of air itself, smelling of the earth and grass and them pines what are present here in great ...

Along the Bannock Bench. Early July, ca. 2018 Like some gentle and caring mother, the sun rose up quietly from under cloudy covers to tenderly awaken her world. And I again was a fortunate witness of her morning’s embrace. The trail this day led me and Ol’ Black Tahoe, my trusted steed, high into the Beaverhead. We crossed over the Great Divide and then made our way into the Big Hole Valley. Bannack Bench. The air was a bright 38 degree as we rid a long and lonesome bench heading west to the Bannack Pass, some 7,600 feet high into them mountains.  The soul-satisfying delight of living in these wondrous territories was promptly apparent, and we paused at the crest for no other reason but appreciating the natural bounty what was spread out before us. Bannack Pass. We pushed on into Idaho and next took northerly direction along the Lemhi River. After arriving at Tendoy, a small settlement named after a chief of the Lemhi Shoshone and  nephew of Ca...