Evolving
Creation unfolds
Stalwart mountains echo hope—
Valley’s breath of peace
Revealing
River’s distant past
Creation flowing as one—
Energy of life
Abounding
Darkness slips away
Light’s innocence beams above—
Creation’s bouquet
Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.
Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them. [Both quotes taken from Milne’s writings about Winnie-the-Pooh]
A. A. (Alan Alexander) Milne (1882-1956) was an English writer who was best known for his writings about Winnie-the-Pooh.
Montana’s landscape features contrasts between numerous scenic mountain vistas and nearly endless, fertile grasslands. The southwestern region boasts of a “tale of two valleys.”
At the epicenter of these twin valleys lies the Madison Range, which covers an area measuring approximately 80 miles in length and 25 miles across. The range’s name reflects upon the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Corps of Discovery into the region between 1804 and 1805. This mountainous mass is named for James Madison, the young nation’s Secretary of State.
The eastern slopes of the Madison Range descend into the Gallatin Valley, which is bisected by the Gallatin River. In honoring the country’s Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin, the river is also named by Lewis and Clark. The western slopes of the Madison Range flow into the Madison Valley, which surrounds the Madison River (also named for James Madison).
Many wilderness areas offer countless outdoor adventures and experiences. In the Gallatin Valley, some of these include Bear Trap Canyon, Spanish Peaks, and the Monument Mountains. The Gallatin River serves as a welcome center for trout fishing as well as providing whitewater excitement for rafters and kayakers.
The Madison Valley features numerous lakes and creeks, which are tied into the Madison River system. These include Ennis Lake, Hebgen Lake, Beaver Creek, Falls Creek, and Spanish Creek. Many opportunities await visitors: blue-ribbon trout fishing, hiking trails, and numerous campgrounds.
Within the Gallatin Valley, Big Sky Resort remains one of the jewels of America’s best alpine ski areas. At its heart rises Lone Mountain’s elevation of 11,316 feet. With a vertical drop of 4,350 feet and nearly 5,800 acres, Big Sky is destined to always be a skier’s paradise.
On the other side of the Madison Range lies the charming community of Ennis. Well-known for its western hospitality and active civic calendar, this town embraces the best of the West.
One often forgotten detail from the Gallatin River’s history is the fact that many of the memorable river scenes for filmmaker Robert Redford’s “A River Runs Through It” are filmed on this river. In reality, the book’s main river is the Big Blackfoot, which is located just a few miles from the city of Missoula.
God’s creation under the Big Sky
Treasured landscape covers this vast land
Immense prairies flow into mountains
Few places on earth looking this grand
Rugged backbone of the continent
Chiseled spine of the Rocky Mountains
Stray mountain ranges dotting the plains
Cascading streams flowing as fountains
Three distinct rivers form its headwaters
Mighty, boundless Missouri River
Eastward, collecting the Yellowstone
Precious mountain rains move downriver
White-tail and mule deer camp in thickets
Pronghorns graze in the midst of grasslands
Mountain valleys gather elk and bears
Ducks and geese pilot into wetlands
Frequently titled the Treasure State
Montana shines under its Big Sky
People flocking to witness its gems
You just might meet a Buckeye nearby
I could probably write something about my native state of Montana every day. It will always be a very special place to me. Watch out, you just might run into a Buckeye returning to the Big Sky.
Originally published December, 2020.
Morning’s gentle rain
Rinsing away dark outlook—
Sun rises with peace
Giant redwoods breathe
Quenching rains arrive onshore—
Coastline feeling peace
Mountain waters run
Chasing ocean far away—
Rivers’ flowing peace
Mountain’s deep snowpack
Creeks feeding mighty rivers—
Living waters flow
Gathering each day
Birds’ welcoming harmony—
Perfection in song
Field planting finished
Another day filled with rain—
Farmers celebrate
Montana’s Big Sky Country is filled with a variety of natural and man-made landmarks, and water is frequently found across the Treasure State. Today’s photographic narrative highlights some of the lakes and rivers taken from my personal collection.
The landscape of southwestern Montana is punctuated with the presence of the Madison River (see above map). Flowing from its source in Yellowstone National Park toward its confluence with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers, all three form the source of the mighty Missouri River. The Madison runs for 183 miles before reaching its final destination near the community of Three Forks.
The Madison River contains two dams. Both dams are located on either side of the town of Ennis in one of the top trout fishing areas in the state.
Hebgen Lake is located between West Yellowstone and Ennis. The lake is created with the building of Hebgen Dam (finished in 1914), and it is simple, yet effective in its construction. The dam’s concrete core with an earthen embankment holds together during the infamous 1959 earthquake, which measures 7.2 in magnitude.
The Madison Dam (opening in 1906) is built in the tight Bear Trap Canyon. Its construction backs up the Madison River with a lake much smaller than Hebgen. While usually listed on maps as Ennis Lake, the locals call it Meadow Lake. Much of the lake’s perimeter is filled with private dwellings, but one can still find access to fishing sites, boat ramps, and camping.
Mighty Yellowstone
Accepting her role
Endless, flowing river
Onward journey, its goal
Creation’s design
Starting near Yount Peak
In and out of mountains
Deepest canyon she seeks
Marked with persistence
Tumbling over falls
Upper, Lower, Tower
Energy never stalls
Currents running free
Leaving her alone
Man forsakes building dams
Nature’s free-flowing zone
Destiny calling
Joining up as one
Big Muddy’s faithful mate
Yellowstone’s cherished run
During its 692 mile journey, the Yellowstone River journeys from the depths of Wyoming’s Absaroka Mountains and Yellowstone National Park into Montana. Upon merging with the Missouri River just across the North Dakota border, these two mighty rivers become one. The confluence is located near Ft. Buford and Ft. Union historic sites.
Innocence of its journey
Silently moving along
Life flowing from its spirit
Hearing river’s steady song
Adventure fills nature’s page
Imagination runs wild
Treasured stories to transcribe
Waters frolic like God’s child
Back in time, from long ago
Calling out, steady she goes
Flowing with perseverance
Energy shall never slow
Panoramic and mighty
Slicing across vast landscapes
Mystery around each bend
Secrets waiting to escape
Most precious and sustaining
Endless scenic avenues
Dreaming of chapters to write
Like tasting sweetest fondue
God’s creation under the Big Sky
Treasured landscape covers this vast land
Immense prairies flow into mountains
Few places on earth looking this grand
Rugged backbone of the continent
Chiseled spine of the Rocky Mountains
Stray mountain ranges dotting the plains
Cascading streams flowing as fountains
Three distinct rivers form its headwaters
Mighty, boundless Missouri River
Eastward, collecting the Yellowstone
Precious mountain rains move downriver
White-tail and mule deer camp in thickets
Pronghorns graze in the midst of grasslands
Mountain valleys gather elk and bears
Ducks and geese pilot into wetlands
Frequently titled the Treasure State
Montana shines under its Big Sky
People flocking to witness its gems
You just might meet a Buckeye nearby
I could probably write something about my native state of Montana every day. It will always be a very special place to me. Watch out, you just might run into a Buckeye returning to the Big Sky.
