Gates of the Montains

Our next destination is Helena, but on the way we stop off for a two hour boat trip at Gates of the Mountains. We found this route to be one of the prettiest of our travels. The road stays close to the river as it meanders through verdant landscapes. The Corps must have found the sights as rewarding, but they soon entered a segment of high cliffs on either side of the river. No cordelling with the long tow rope or using the push poles. The river was deep right up to the rock walls, and they offered no opportunity to get out and walk.

LEWIS July 19 1805 "this evening we entered much the most remarkable clifts that we have yet seen. these lifts rise from the waters edge on either side perpendicularly to the hight of 1200 feet. every object here wears a dark and gloomy aspect, the towering and projecting rocks in many places seem ready to tumble on us. the river appears to have forced it's way through this immence body of solid rock for the distance of 5 3/4 miles and where it makes it's exit below has thrown on either side vast collumns of rocks mountains high, the river appears to have woarn a passage just the width of it's channel or 150 yds. it is deep from side to side nor is ther in the 1st 3 miles of this distance a spot except one of a few yards in extent on which a man could rest the soal of his foot....from the singular appearance of this place I called it the Gates of the rocky mountains."

On our boat trip we saw more examples of interesting rock formations

One of which is called "The Monster of the River"

We saw prehistoric pictographs

And Wildlife






But the most interesting is the change of view in the next two photographs which show how the mountains seem to form a cul-de-sac, and change to show the gate opening.

 

We did enjoy the day, although is was the second day we had spent on the river at above 100 degree temperatures.

As we left the river trip we had to get a shot of the "Sleeping Giant"
"

On the way  to Helena we climbed a small mountain behind the town where we were treated to a marvelous view,

and, of course, more wild flowers;

Our side trip took us up considerably

When we got to Helena we decided to take a trolley ride around the city which started at the Montana Historical Society. Lo and behold, Gail found something she has been dying to see... a powow;

And she had to play the drum with them