Saturday, July 2: Geocaching and Exploring

Montana has surprisingly good gravel and dirt roads. 


Betsy and I left early to get a 60 cache GeoTrail along an old railroad bed that skirted a nice fisherman’s creek. The description said the trail was a favorite of local cyclists and ATV enthusiasts, so I expected narrow and rough 4WD territory. Instead we found a recently graded and widened road with excellent surface and easy pullouts. We saw two 4WD trucks, 4 Razr type side-by-sides, and two cyclists. Unfortunately for Betsy nineteen of the caches had likely been buried by the road grader. 


Digging for buried treasure. 


There was a cache at the base of the stump. Unfortunately the stump got moved and partially buried. 


We returned to camp and interrupted Larry’s research into the Alaska trip. Then after a quick lunch Larry and I headed up Trout Creek Road to explore more. Just outside of our campground is a sign that says, “Next commercial fuel available in Pierce, Idaho. 111 miles.” The Trout Creek Road is gravel and stone dust with a surface so hard there are almost no washboards. We trav we led a couple of miles up the main road and then took an unmarked side road which climbed 7 miles before ending at a berm. Along the way we saw Bear Grass, multiple wildflowers, and a few deer. The sights above were of endless forests. 


Bear Grass. 


After returning to the main road we drove up to the snow, passing lots of dispersed campers and a few popular trailheads. 


Glissade anyone?


Top of the pass. You can almost see Pierce Idaho! 


Upon return we went into Superior and ordered a pizza at the 4 Aces Bar, Pool Hall, Restaurant, and Casino. I asked the woman helping us if they sold package goods and she said to go down the street to the Ace Hardware, Nursery, Deli and Grocery. It would be cheaper there. While we did that she went back to make the pizza and then to resume her regular job: Adult Daycare (a.k.a. Bartender). It seems that in this small town you’d better be prepared to do it all if you want to make it. 



Avoiding the bugs.

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