Monday, July 25, 2011

BIG SPRINGS AND JUDITH PEAK

I was able to drag Jim away from the race track so we could do a little exploring while we were in Lewistown.

There is a memorial to Ed McGivern who was better at shooting a handgun than anyone, ever. Definitely a must see for us. Except one major problem. The road had been completely washed out this year because of the floods and snow melt. We couldn’t get there from anywhere without walking for miles. This will have to go on a back burner until sometime in the future.

IMG_2432 On our way back to the RV we stopped at Big Springs.

 

 

 

 

 

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This is the world’s third largest fresh water spring. It produces over 90 million gallons of 99.9 percent pure water every day.

 

 

 

IMG_2436 There’s a beautiful park at the Springs so we were able to take a walk and enjoy the sound of the water. There were several artists there with an instructor. I didn’t take pictures of any of their work but to my very untrained eye, a couple of them were really good.

The water was crystal clear. This picture was taken looking down into the water from the bridge.IMG_2438

After leaving this park we stopped to check on the girls and let them out for a short walk. Then we headed to the Judith Mountains.

IMG_2492 The Judith Mountains are a small mountain range that lies just northeast of Lewistown, MT. From the highway, these mountains don’t look too imposing but they are really quite rugged when you get into them.

IMG_2451Lewistown is at 3,963 feet. The highest point is Judith Peak at 6,400 ft. Kevin and Ruth (http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com) hiked up Mount Washington but Jim and I chose to drive up to Judith Peak. If we tried to hike it, we would still be there a hundred years from now.

This gal greeted us as we started our journey up.IMG_2444

IMG_2449 The road was in rough shape because of all the snow this past winter but definitely doable. And the views from the top are well worth the drive. There were several places where the road had been washed out but there wasn’t much traffic so we could maneuver around them.

IMG_2490In this picture, the whole road was washed out and they had built a one lane detour around it. (That’s not a shadow on the road, that’s the hole.)

 

 

 

IMG_2456 Views from the top.

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IMG_2458 In the 1950’s and 1960’s the US Air Force operated a radar station situated at the top of Judith Peak.

 

 

 

Looking at the peak about 1/3 of the way from the top. You can barely see the towers at the peak.IMG_2488

Some of the flowers at the top of Judith Peak:

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It was a wonderful drive, great weather and perfect company.

9 comments:

  1. Love your picture of the butterfly/moth!

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  2. I think it certainly was worth the drive up to Judith Peak. With a name like that, how could you go wrong! :)

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  3. That looks like a beautiful area. Now we have another mountain to climb, but that one will have to wait for a while. Kevin is still recovering from Mt. Washington. We really want to make it out to Montana some day soon.

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  4. I can't believe that hole in the road!

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  5. no wonder Montana is called 'big sky country'!..great photos today from Judith Peak..that was quite the hole in the road??!!

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  6. Montana is a beautiful and rugged state. It can become rough after a fabulous winter. We have visited Big Spring many years ago, but never the Judith Mountains. That's for the next trip to Montana!

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  7. Very interesting day that you had. Thanks for posting!

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  8. Beautiful pictures! Thanks for the tour of the area, can't wait until we can get back MT ourselves.

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  9. Oh Sandie........We do live in the most beautiful state.....don't we.

    xo

    Jo

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Thanks for visiting today. I look forward to reading your comments. Have a beautiful day.