Around Southwest Montana
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AROUND SOUTHWEST MONTANA 2020 EDITION 2 • Road Trips in Southwest Montana | 2020 Now’s your chance to enjoy all southwest IN AND Montana has to o er here’s no question about it: It’s a different kind of summer in southwest Montana. AROUND The events we love, from the Montana Folk Festival and An Rí Rá to Shakespeare in the Park, are canceled. But that doesn’t mean Tthere’s not plenty to see and do. With far fewer visitors from outside the state expected and many ambitious vacation plans curtailed, this year we decided to use this opportunity to remind Montanans of the joys in our own back yard. There’s more to see and do than we could get to in a year of summers. And lots of places we’ve been, we Mountain ranges surround Butte on three sides. love so much we go back over and over — from the Big Look to the north to see the Anaconda Range, Hole National Battlefield to Virginia City to the World heading south are the Highlands, and on the eastside Museum of Mining in Butte. is a close-up view of the East Ridge. • But there is so We’ve got all that and more in this section — so many much more to see. things within easy driving distance that will produce lifelong memories. For those in-state travelers who like to avoid the Once the largest truck- the coronavirus. In order to crowd — this summer is your chance! operated open pit copper protect the community and We’ve also included some less-well-known gems that mine in the United States, the vendors, the market will could make a perfect stop on your southwest Montana the Berkeley Pit viewing be redesigned to foster social itinerary — places like Tizer Gardens near Boulder. stand will be open from distancing and also encour- Washoe Park in Anaconda. The Lewis & Clark murals in 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday- age enhanced sanitation. Whitehall. The list goes on. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to Foot traffic will be restricted We’d urge you to check on events and locations before 5 p.m., Sunday. Hours are to one way flowing west you leave to make sure things are open given this year’s subject to change with to east and customers can circumstances. But we’re confident you’ll find lots to COVID-19 and weather. return to the west end on savor around southwest Montana, from great cafes to The one-time home of the adjacent sidewalks but once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experiences. Sen. William A. Clark, the not through the center of Use this guide to make sure you get the most out of Copper King Mansion at the market to help improve your southwest Montana road trip! 219 W. Granite St., is open social distancing in the mar- for guided tours through ket. The entrance will be at Sept. 30. Tour times are Dakota and West Park Street. 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and The Granite Moun- 3:30 p.m. The tour lasts just tain-Speculator Mine over an hour and the cost Memorial, dedicated in is $10. 1996, honors an estimated Anaconda | 8 Ennis | 30 Directly behind the East 166 miners who were killed Big Hole National Philipsburg | 22 Ridge is a popular camp- when a fire broke out June ground and picnic area at 8, 1917. It remains America’s Battlefield | 15 Pioneer Scenic Byway | 13 Delmoe Lake, a man-made worst hard-rock mining Big Hole area | 14 Ruby Valley | 31 reservoir. It’s a great place disaster. The site of the Boulder | 12 St. Timothy’s Chapel | 11 for a day trip, picnic and all, memorial also gives visitors or to just camp out under spectacular views of not Butte | 4 Three Forks | 21 the stars. only the East Ridge, but the Butte Farmers Market | 7 Virginia City |18 Farmers Market is Highlands as well. Turn east Deer Lodge | 24 Virginia City Players | 19 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat- at the directional sign at the urdays through Oct. 3. The top of Main Street, north Dillon | 28 Whitehall | 26 open-air fresh produce of the historic St. Lawrence market has been a sure sign O’Toole Church. ON THE COVER: of summer in Uptown Butte Take a scenic drive since 1995. There will be through the winding Mon- The Tobacco Root Mountains are snow-capped along several important changes tana Highway 2, known Montana Highway 41 on a cloudy spring afternoon in in how the market oper- locally as Harding High- southwest Montana. ates this year to respond way, which leads you to Meagan Thompson, The Montana Standard to the continuing threat of Pipestone and Whitehall. Road Trips in Southwest Montana | 2020 • 3 We make it easy for you to get the care you need when you need it. 24/7 online scheduling, video and e-visits, and same-day appointments. SCL Health Medical Group - Boulder Veronica Champer, NP Lori Lagerquist, PA Mark Kishbaugh, PA Family Medicine Family Medicine Family Medicine SCL Health Medical Group - Butte Jessie Salisbury, MD Kirk Bigley, PA Tony Ballensky, NP Joe Gregory, DO Pediatrics Pediatrics Internal Medicine Internal Medicine Micaul McClafferty, PA Katie McGree, DO Brianna Mew, DO Shenelle Schoenfeld, DO Family Medicine Family Medicine/OB Family Medicine Family Medicine To learn more and conveniently schedule online, visit SCLHealth.org/SWMT-primarycare Boulder Clinic 406-225-4201 | Butte Clinic 406-496-3600 4 • Road Trips in Southwest Montana | 2020 A paved walkway winds around Maney Lake at Sheepshead Recreation Area in Elk Park located North of Butte. Meagan Thompson photos, The Montana Standard The historic byway was named in honor of President War- ren G. Harding, who visited Butte in 1923. If you are look- ing for a relatively quick place to hike, head to the High- lands. Admired by many from a dis- tance, the mountain range is The Humbug Spires trail south of Butte also a popular hiking desti- varies in steepness as it stretches up the nation. Don’t be surprised geologically vertical granite. to find some historic gems along the way. The highest peak is Table Mountain, at Belmont, Travona, Moun- The Copper King Mansion located on Granite Street in Butte. 10,223 feet. tain Con, Kelley, Badger, Highland View, Diamond, the Granite mood to commune with water and restrooms, too. If Butte’s municipal golf Mountain, Lexington, and nature, Humbug Spires you are fixing to feed a crew, course, is located in Stodden Orphan Girl. may just be the place to there are some picnic tables, Park. To set up a tee time, No overnight camping go. The Wedge is its largest along with some grills. call 406-497-6578. Opened is allowed at Homestake spire and is 500 feet tall. Check out the numer- daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lake, but if you and your Located around 24 miles ous wildflowers, birds and Speaking of mines, family are just looking for a south of Butte, it is located other wildlife on the trails at take a tour of the Butte Hill, day of fun, there are picnic between the Highlands and Maude S Canyon on Butte’s where historic headframes tables in the area. Do a little the Pioneers. East Ridge. Yes, there’s lots still stand as majestic sym- fishing or take in the sce- On the left-hand side of of rocks along the way, but bols of the “richest hill on nic trails. Elk Park you will find Low- there are lush forest lands, earth.” They include the If rock climbing is your land Campground, which abandoned railroad tracks, Original, Steward, Anselmo, thing or you’re just in the has 11 campsites, drinking and as an added bonus, hikers Playground equipment designed Road Trips in Southwest Montana | 2020 • 5 to look like the haul trucks used in the open pit mine in Butte is one of the many new features added to Stodden Park in Butte. get a perfect view of Butte. Drive up to Elk Park, turn left and keep driving until you reach Sheepshead Recreation Area, which will open Memorial Day weekend. Not only is there an abundance of pine trees, flowers and more than a few streams, it also includes pavilions, picnic tables and grills. Paved trails are an added addition, along with ball fields and a place to compete in horseshoes. Head off to one of Butte’s many city parks — whether it be Stodden, Clark, Copper Mountain, Chester Steele, McGruff, Koprivica, The Beaver Ponds Trail in or Foreman. Spend the Thompson Park located day enjoying the summer south of Butte. weather and the ameni- ties offered. Out around the Nine Mile, head to Thompson Park, which offers trails for walking, biking and horse- disc golf course at Eagles through Saturday at 10 a.m., your hometown by taking a back riding. Interpretive Nest, too. 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sun- walk, not only through the signs can be found sharing Trolley tours have day tours are at 10 a.m. and business district, but all with one and all the park’s commenced. Tour historic 12:30 p.m. To reserve a spot, throughout the uptown to history. Although there is no Butte on Old Number 1. call 406-723-3177. view the unique architecture, overnight camping, there are Tours (90 minutes) start There is a very good where it be retail business several picnic areas for fami- at the Butte-Silver Bow reason why Uptown Butte shops, churches, or resi- lies and friends to utilize.