Page 572 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

570  THE ROCKIES

Montana r Flathead Valley
n Bigfork Chamber of Commerce,
The northernmost of the Rocky Mountain states, Montana 8155 Hwy 35, (406) 837-5888. Salish
abounds in tall, rugged mountains, snowcapped peaks, lush & Kootenai Tribal Council: Tel (406)
valleys, and seemingly endless plains stretching beneath its 675-2700. ∑ bigfork.org
trademark “big sky.” The sheer scale and majesty of its wide Most of the valley’s land, which
open spaces and the larger-than-life character of its inhabitants, stretches between the 40-mile-
past and present, prompted Nobel Prize-winning novelist (64-km-) long and 15-mile-
John Steinbeck to write “I’m in love with Montana. For other (24-km-) wide Flathead Lake and
states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some Missoula, is part of the Flathead
affection. But with Montana it is love.” Indian Reservation. Since 1855
this has been home to descen-
dants of the region’s Salish,
e Missoula Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreille
tribes. In summer, communities
* 69,900. k @ n Higgins & Main,
(800) 526-3465. ∑ destination such as Elmo and Arlee celebrate
missoula.org Native traditions in numerous
pow-wows, which are tradi-
Nestling in the Rocky Mountains tional gatherings featuring
of western Montana, Missoula is rodeo competitions, craft
still dependent upon traditional demon strations, and sales.
indus tries, such as timber and trans- The People’s Center in
por tation. This lively city is also Pablo traces the history of the
home to the University of Montana. Flathead region from a Native
Surrounded by wilderness, American perspective. To
this picturesque city formed the west, some 29 sq miles
the backdrop of the book and (75 sq km) of rolling ranchland
Big Hole National Battlefield, surrounded subsequent movie A River Runs were set aside in 1908 as the
by mountains Through It. The city also houses National Bison Range, housing
the Smokejumpers Base, a bison, deer, bighorn sheep,
w Big Hole National national center for fighting forest and pronghorn.
Battlefield fires in the Rockies. Exhibits explore The largest natural freshwater
fire-fighting techniques and equip- lake west of the Mississippi
Hwy 43 near Wisdom. Tel (406) 689- ment, and depending on the time River, Flathead Lake is a deep-
3155. Open May–Oct: 9am–5pm of the year (summer is forest-fire blue jewel at the western foot
daily; Nov–Apr: 10am–5pm daily. season), guests are able to tour the of the Rocky Mountains. Cherry
Closed most national hols. 7
∑ nps.gov/biho airplanes and meet fire-fighters. orchards and towns like Bigfork
To the south, the Bitterroot line Hwy 35 on the lake’s eastern
Located near the Idaho border Valley has ranches and small shore, while to the west the
at an altitude of some 7,000 ft towns, hemmed in by a pair of busier US 93 hugs the water for
(2,134 m) in the Bitterroot towering mountain ranges. over 35 miles (56 km). Rent
Mountains, this battlefield bikes or kayaks, or take guided
site sits at the head of the lush P Smokejumpers Base boat tours into the scenic lake.
Big Hole Valley, famed for its Visitor Center
cattle ranches and trout-fishing Aerial Fire Depot, W of Missoula Int’l E People’s Center
opportunities. This serene Airport, Hwy 93. Tel (406) 329-4934. 53253 Hwy 93, Pablo. Tel (406) 675-
pastoral scene is far removed Open Memorial Day–Labor Day: 0160. Open 9am–5pm Mon–Fri;
from the terrible suffering 8:30am– 5pm daily; Labor Day– also 9am–5pm Sat from Jun–Aug
experienced here on August 9, Memorial Day: by appt. only. & 7 ∑ peoples
∑ smokejumpers.com
1877. On that day, the flight center.org
north by 750 Nez Perce people,
mostly women and children,
was cut short by a surprise
attack by US Army soldiers
and civilian volunteers, leading
to the death of nearly 100
Native Americans. The tribe
continued their journey toward
Canada, traveling another 1,500
miles (2,414 km) before finally
surrendering in October, just
30 miles (48 km) short of the
Canadian border. Flathead Lake, nestling at the foot of the Rocky Mountains
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp592–3 and pp594–5

570-571_EW_USA.indd 570 11/2/16 2:48 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm