Red Lodge, Montana

For the Crow Indians, Red Lodge was a place of worship and hunting. They painted their council tepee with red clay.  Folklore indicates this tradition gave the place its name. 

West Fork Trail 

You know you are in bear country with all these berries

Camp Senia is a district of historic cabins on the West Fork of Rock Creek.  It was originally a summer vacation destination for travelers from around the nation in the teens and 20's before the great depression.

Lake Fork Trail

South of Red Lodge on Main Fork Rock Creek Road.  

Crossing the state line into Wyoming

Does anyone know what this is?

Who is that looking at us?

It's a moose!

I know she's hiding in the bushes but look at how black her body is compared to her brown head.

The Smith Mine disaster was the worst coal mining disaster in the state of Montana, and the 43rd worst in the United States.  On February 27, 1943, of the 77 men working that day, only three got out of the mine alive.

This monument in the Bearcreek Cemetery commemorates the 75 miners who lost their lives.  

Twenty-two of the Smith Mine's victims are buried here in family plots.

Remains of the Brophy Mine

Stopped at the view point on the Beartooth Highway.  Unfortunately with all the smoke in the air the views were not that picturesque,  but someone down there has a sense of humor.

The Golden-Mantled ground squirrels were a big hit.

Can he possibly fit anymore in his mouth?

Rock chucks, also known as yellow-bellied marmots.

Hiking the Beartooth High Lakes Trail.

Island Lake

Looks like the dad said "let's go fishing it will be fun"

Looks like they made it into a paddleless paddleboard

Red Lodge Creek Trail

Not sure who they want to keep on either side of the gate.

The trail goes through the creek

In search of a dryer crossing

We found a bridge upstream

Lots of flowers with all the water

Lots of blueberries AKA bear food.  Part of me was disappointed that we didn't see a bear and the other part of me was relieved that we didn't.

Taking a break

and cooling our feet

I think this was the coldest water I have ever had my feet in.