Gardiner, Montana North gate into Yellowstone

Tracks of the StoneBear Copyright MCMLXIII Uncle Hargus ALL Rights reserved

ROF= Ring of fire Odyssey  MEF-H = Marine Expeditionary Force- Hargus 

YEL= Yellowstone Journey            

Yellowstone Tracks of the StoneBear Red Lodge to Mammoth

Sept 09

Gardiner, Montana Yellowstone Nat pk North entrance gate

To Gardiner

for several days now have been driving to the east of Yellowstone. Had to drive The Chief Joseph Hwy / scenic byway,... then further north on The Beartooth Hwy / scenic byway... both absolutely beautiful Wyoming and Montana high country.

The Absoroka mountain range and the Beartooth mountain range.... snowcaps in many places. we're up at 7,000' + in many places. The Beartooth Hwy was 10,000' + in places ; That's the hwy... the mountains went on up to 12,000' The Beartooth has been called Americas most scenic drive... I believe it.

After a couple days in Red Lodge, Montana, headed for Yellowstone. but it will take a week or so from the stops in Big Timber, MT and Livingston, MT -- also see those posts--

Now we're heading south out of Livingston on Hwy 89s and the country is getting more beautiful every day. Closing in on Yellowstone I'm getting excited. I've waited a lifetime to see this. Driving down the valley with the Yellowstone River flowing is wonderful. Every few miles is even more spectacular scenery.

Arriving in Gardiner, Montana... right outside the North entrance gate to Yellowstone.... the small town is a hodge podge of small commercial businesses, outfitters, supply stores for fly fishing / kyaking / backpacking... this is outdoor country. Several restaurants in town to grab a bite.

The Lamar River flows into the Yellowstone River here. This is still Montana... the North Arch.... the majestic Northern entrance into Yellowstone is powerful to see. The inscription "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people" is center on the huge arch. How fitting. The cornerstone was laid by President Roosevelt in 1903 who was an outdoorsman and he loved the land. I have read in history books that President Roosevelt had a philosophy -- paraphrased... that the hard working men and women of America needed and deserved these outdoor recreation parks to refresh their soul -- I wish we had leaders that thought like that today. I'm glad these leaders preserved these parks for us.

Recently I have heard some campaigning that government doesn't create jobs. On the Tracks of the StoneBear journey, over a lifetime,... I have seen the stonework cabins, pavilions, structures built by the CCC and WPA... built 70 years ago. Some structures in national Parks like the Northern Arch of Yellowstone built 110 years ago... and they are still being used ... and ENJOYED by all visitors. These structures preserve and ARE our history.

The Northern Arch entrance-way / northern gate to Yellowstone.... within 2 miles into the park is the Wyoming state line... and a couple more miles to Mammoth Hot Springs. It's worth the journey to see this geological wonder. A good day !



























Yellowstone Tracks of the StoneBear

Sept 09

Gardiner, Montana Yellowstone Nat pk North entrance gate

To Gardiner

for several days now have been driving to the east of Yellowstone. Had to drive The Chief Joseph Hwy / scenic byway,... then further north on The Beartooth Hwy / scenic byway... both absolutely beautiful Wyoming and Montana high country.

The Absoroka mountain range and the Beartooth mountain range.... snowcaps in many places. we're up at 7,000' + in many places. The Beartooth Hwy was 10,000' + in places ; That's the hwy... the mountains went on up to 12,000' The Beartooth has been called Americas most scenic drive... I believe it.

After a couple days in Red Lodge, Montana, headed for Yellowstone. but it will take a week or so from the stops in Big Timber, MT and Livingston, MT -- also see those posts--

Now we're heading south out of Livingston on Hwy 89s and the country is getting more beautiful every day. Closing in on Yellowstone I'm getting excited. I've waited a lifetime to see this. Driving down the valley with the Yellowstone River flowing is wonderful. Every few miles is even more spectacular scenery.

Arriving in Gardiner, Montana... right outside the North entrance gate to Yellowstone.... the small town is a hodge podge of small commercial businesses, outfitters, supply stores for fly fishing / kyaking / backpacking... this is outdoor country. Several restaurants in town to grab a bite.

The Lamar River flows into the Yellowstone River here. This is still Montana... the North Arch.... the majestic Northern entrance into Yellowstone is powerful to see. The inscription "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people" is center on the huge arch. How fitting. The cornerstone was laid by President Roosevelt in 1903 who was an outdoorsman and he loved the land. I have read in history books that President Roosevelt had a philosophy -- paraphrased... that the hard working men and women of America needed and deserved these outdoor recreation parks to refresh their soul -- I wish we had leaders that thought like that today. I'm glad these leaders preserved these parks for us.

Recently I have heard some campaining that government doesn't create jobs. On the Tracks of the StoneBear journey, over a lifetime,... I have seen the stonework cabins, pavilions, structures built by the CCC and WPA... built 70 years ago. Some structures in national Parks like the Northern Arch of Yellowstone built 110 years ago... and they are still being used ... and ENJOYED by all visitors. These structures preserve and ARE our history.

The Northern Arch entranceway / northern gate to Yellowstone.... within 2 miles into the park is the Wyoming state line... and a couple more miles to Mammoth Hot Springs. It's worth the journey to see this geological wonder. A good day !

You never drink twice from the same stream. 

StoneBearTracks Copyright Uncle Hargus MCMLXIII ALL blog posts/photographs/video ALL Rights reserved 

ALL Blog posts/photographs/video Copyright MCMLXIII ALL Rights Reserved

Camp Fortunate Lewis and Clark

Yellowstone Tracks of the StoneBear Dillon to IF

Sept 09

Camp Fortunate -- Lewis and Clark 1805

After a few days to see some of Southwest Montana, left Dillon, MT now on this final leg down to Salt Lake city before heading back to BHM via Southwest.


Came across a significant place. Now it's officially Clark canyon reservoir. In 1805 it was named Camp Fortunate ... the place where the separated Lewis and Clark expition reunited after scouting different routes / rivers / and supplies for the final push to the Pacific. They had come as far as possible in waterborne canoes on the Missouri and Jefferson rivers, and were now looking for pack mules and horses to go over the mountains to the Pacific. Lewis camped here for a week before Clarks party found this camp. The indians recognized Sakajawa with Clarks troop/ party and felt they could trust the explorers and set about helping them to secure pack mules and horses.


This was not planned so stumbling onto another Lewis and Clark trail / camp is a bonus. They were here! It's good to see what they saw geologicly; the mountains and terrain.


Also significant ... I think just by coincedence.... not that Lewis and Clark knew.... this is the 45th parallel ; the 45th Lattitude. The halfway point between the equator and north pole.


*** from Montana state parks website

On August 13, 1805, Lewis finally made contact with more of Sacagawea's tribe. He was anxious to trade for horses to cross the mountain ranges ahead, but moved cautiously when he at last approached an entire camp of the Shoshone.

He first spotted two women and a man foraging. The Shoshone stood their ground as Lewis approached, extending the American flag and repeating "tab-ba-bone." The three fled, but a mile further on Lewis met with three more women. One fled, but Lewis presented the other two with gifts and painted their faces with vermilion as a sign of peace.


The young woman actually had warned the camp and "about 60 warriors mounted on excellent horses who came in nearly full speed" came to meet Lewis and his men.

This first contact made for a tense situation, as Lewis and his men were vastly outnumbered. Fortunately, Lewis' restraint and caution paid off:


It was here that the Corps got its first news of the ocean from an older member of the tribe. Lewis wrote: "he had understood from the persed nosed (Nez Perce) who inhabit this river below the rocky mountains that it ran a great way toward the setting sun and finally lost itself in a great lake of water which was illy tasted."

The party also had its first taste of salmon and was warned that game would be scarce on the trail across the mountains.

Lewis waited anxiously for Clark to arrive. A wrong turn, the strength of the Big Hole River, and the shallow, rocky waters of the Jefferson River held Clark back. The Shoshone were eager to reach the buffalo hunting ground in the east. Lewis detained them with intriguing descriptions of slave York's appearance and promises of gifts. He finally had to hand his rifles over to the Shoshone to convince them they were not allies of an enemy tribe laying a trap.

Lewis' luck improved phenomenally when Clark finally arrived. A woman of the tribe recognized Sacagawea almost immediately. She had been with Sacagawea the day she was kidnapped by the Hidatsa and had barely escaped. The commanders arranged a trade session quickly. As if Sacagawea's acceptance by the tribe wasn't opportune enough, she recognized the leader of the band, Cameahwait, as her brother. These strokes of luck, combined with Clark's nick-of-time arrival, led to the name Camp Fortunate.

The horse-trading proceeded by means of a language chain. Sacagawea translated Shoshone to Hidatsa for her husband who translated into French. Private Labiche then translated into English. Horses secured, they broke up boxes and cut their boat paddles to make saddles for the mountain ride. Lewis demonstrated his prized air rifle to the tribe.

During his inspection of the horses, Lewis noticed Spanish brands on many and even an occasional Spanish-made bridle or bit. Unfortunately for many of the tribes, the Spanish were willing to trade their horses but not their weapons. The Shoshone, like many others, had been forced west and south by pressure from better-armed tribes. In fact, this band of Shoshone was almost as short of food as the Corps, but the natives still shared what they had.

More than a week after they first met with the tribe, the expedition set out to find navigable waters on the other side of the mountains.


***** from Lewis and Clark trail.com

August 17, 1805

"I had not proceeded on one mile before I saw at a distance Several Indians on horseback Comeing towards me. The Intertrepeter & Squar who were before me at Some distance danced for the joyful sight, and She made signs to me that they were her nation, as I aproached nearer them descovered one of Capt Lewis party; the met me with great signs of joy... those Indians sung all the way to their Camp... Three Chiefs with Capt. Lewis met me with great cordialliaty embraced and took a Seat on a white robe, the Main Chief imedeately tied to my hair Six Small pieces of Shells resembling perl which is highly Valued by those people"
Captain Clark

" Shortly after Capt. Clark arrived with the Interpreter Charbono, and the Indian woman, who proved to be sister of the Chif Cameahwait. the meeting of those people was really affecting, particularly between Sah cah - gar-we-ah and an Indian woman, who had been taken prisoner at the same time with her, and who had afterwards escaped from the Minnetares and rejoined her nation ... we now formed our camp" (Camp Fortunate)
Captain Lewis ****


















Yellowstone Tracks of the StoneBear Dillon to IF


Sept 09

Camp Fortunate -- Lewis and Clark 1805

after a few days to see some of Soouthwest Montana, left Dillon, MT now on this final leg down to Salt Lake city before heading back to BHM via Southwest.


Came across a significant place. Now it's officially Clark canyon reservoir. In 1805 it was named Camp Fortunate ... the place where the separated Lewis and Clark expition reunited after scouting different routes / rivers / and supplies for the final push to the Pacific. They had come as far as possible in waterborne canoes on the Missouri and Jefferson rivers, and were now looking for pack mules and horses to go over the mountains to the Pacific. Lewis camped here for a week before Clarks party found this camp. The indians recognized Sakajawa with Clarks troop/ party and felt they could trust the explorers and set about helping them to secure pack mules and horses.


This was not planned so stumbling onto another Lewis and Clark trail / camp is a bonus. They were here! It's good to see what they saw geologicly; the mountains and terrain.

Also significant ... I think just by coincedence.... not that Lewis and Clark knew.... this is the 45th parallel ; the 45th Lattitude. The halfway point between the equator and north pole.


*** from Montana state parks website

On August 13, 1805, Lewis finally made contact with more of Sacagawea's tribe. He was anxious to trade for horses to cross the mountain ranges ahead, but moved cautiously when he at last approached an entire camp of the Shoshone.

He first spotted two women and a man foraging. The Shoshone stood their ground as Lewis approached, extending the American flag and repeating "tab-ba-bone." The three fled, but a mile further on Lewis met with three more women. One fled, but Lewis presented the other two with gifts and painted their faces with vermilion as a sign of peace.


The young woman actually had warned the camp and "about 60 warriors mounted on excellent horses who came in nearly full speed" came to meet Lewis and his men.

This first contact made for a tense situation, as Lewis and his men were vastly outnumbered. Fortunately, Lewis' restraint and caution paid off:


It was here that the Corps got its first news of the ocean from an older member of the tribe. Lewis wrote: "he had understood from the persed nosed (Nez Perce) who inhabit this river below the rocky mountains that it ran a great way toward the setting sun and finally lost itself in a great lake of water which was illy tasted."

The party also had its first taste of salmon and was warned that game would be scarce on the trail across the mountains.

Lewis waited anxiously for Clark to arrive. A wrong turn, the strength of the Big Hole River, and the shallow, rocky waters of the Jefferson River held Clark back. The Shoshone were eager to reach the buffalo hunting ground in the east. Lewis detained them with intriguing descriptions of slave York's appearance and promises of gifts. He finally had to hand his rifles over to the Shoshone to convince them they were not allies of an enemy tribe laying a trap.

Lewis' luck improved phenomenally when Clark finally arrived. A woman of the tribe recognized Sacagawea almost immediately. She had been with Sacagawea the day she was kidnapped by the Hidatsa and had barely escaped. The commanders arranged a trade session quickly. As if Sacagawea's acceptance by the tribe wasn't opportune enough, she recognized the leader of the band, Cameahwait, as her brother. These strokes of luck, combined with Clark's nick-of-time arrival, led to the name Camp Fortunate.

The horse-trading proceeded by means of a language chain. Sacagawea translated Shoshone to Hidatsa for her husband who translated into French. Private Labiche then translated into English. Horses secured, they broke up boxes and cut their boat paddles to make saddles for the mountain ride. Lewis demonstrated his prized air rifle to the tribe.

During his inspection of the horses, Lewis noticed Spanish brands on many and even an occasional Spanish-made bridle or bit. Unfortunately for many of the tribes, the Spanish were willing to trade their horses but not their weapons. The Shoshone, like many others, had been forced west and south by pressure from better-armed tribes. In fact, this band of Shoshone was almost as short of food as the Corps, but the natives still shared what they had.

More than a week after they first met with the tribe, the expedition set out to find navigable waters on the other side of the mountains.


***** from Lewis and Clark trail.com

August 17, 1805

"I had not proceeded on one mile before I saw at a distance Several Indians on horseback Comeing towards me. The Intertrepeter & Squar who were before me at Some distance danced for the joyful sight, and She made signs to me that they were her nation, as I aproached nearer them descovered one of Capt Lewis party; the met me with great signs of joy... those Indians sung all the way to their Camp... Three Chiefs with Capt. Lewis met me with great cordialliaty embraced and took a Seat on a white robe, the Main Chief imedeately tied to my hair Six Small pieces of Shells resembling perl which is highly Valued by those people"
Captain Clark

" Shortly after Capt. Clark arrived with the Interpreter Charbono, and the Indian woman, who proved to be sister of the Chif Cameahwait. the meeting of those people was really affecting, particularly between Sah cah - gar-we-ah and an Indian woman, who had been taken prisoner at the same time with her, and who had afterwards escaped from the Minnetares and rejoined her nation ... we now formed our camp" (Camp Fortunate)
Captain Lewis ****

Dubois, Idaho

Yellowstone Tracks of the StoneBear