One of my favorite pilgrimages in Northwest Montana is the jaw-dropping drive up the Trout Creek to Hoodoo Meadow. Located in the historically gold rich Cedar Creek Mining District, the Trout Creek drainage proved very productive to the hundreds of miners that "rushed" this pristine canyon.
Double checked that the gas tank was topped off. Very few journey on this mountain road; requires an all terrain vehicle or four wheel drive. I am grateful for my old 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoner - a work horse that
that guzzles gas. Just had a tune up but still gets less than 10 miles to the gallon. Dependable, rugged and built to last, the old jeeps are like the Energizer bunny, they just keep going and going.
"Jessie" the Jeep has been my mining partner since I bought her new in 1991 - together we have shared some incredible experiences - flash floods in Colorado, tornados in Oklahoma and a few mountain roads that would challenge a goat. Jessie has got me out of some real predicaments and transported me on some great adventures.
A portion of the road was washed out, but we got over some major pot holes and fallen rock and reached Hoodoo Meadow in the late afternoon. Resplendent with wildflowers, the meadow is breath-taking. Early autumn frosts have touched the meadow and the huckleberry brush lies in vivid red splashes across the hillside.
Witnessed two magnificent bald eagles in glorious flight across the canyon. If you look carefully, you can see their nest on the crest of the peak to the left. Not only is Trout Creek famous for its gold, there are some really fine fishing spots both on Trout Creek and beyond Hoodoo Meadow at Kelly Creek.
The road across Freezeout pass was open, pretty rough in spots, but we made it through without incident.
We then journeyed down Snowshoe Gulch to rejoin the Cedar Creek Road and return to civilization. A spectacular, happy day at Hoodoo.
Do you have gold fever?
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Ha...yup, that's HooDoo Pass...I park in the small turnout area by the pool...Swather always gets out for a stretch and a quick swim before heading up and over into Idaho and on down to the NF Clearwater...my all time favorite flyfishing spot...when Swather eventually passes, this is where I will be spreading his ashes...he loves this meadow as it is his first opportunity to take a pee!
Posted by: Patrick | September 15, 2009 at 12:08 PM