| BIG HOLE BASIN COUNTRY
Montana
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This tour begins at Lost Trail Pass on U.S. Highway 93 and is a perfect addition to the Wild and Scenic River, Idaho-Montana loop which crosses the pass. Traveling either direction over the pass, just north of the Montana border turn east on Route 43 following the scenic Joseph Creek drainage toward Wisdom, Montana. The two lane highway will drop slightly as you follow the Nez Perce National Historic Trail and pass the Big Hole National Battlefield. This is the Big Hole Basin, livestock and hay country known as the Valley of 10,000 Hay Stacks. Mountains surround on all sides, and it's history is rich with battles, propecting, and ranching. In Wisdom, where Lewis and Clark rested beside hot springs, turn south on Highway 278 along famous trout waters and wide open country with attactive camps and vistas. Crossing Big Hole Pass continue on to Bannack State Park, a ghost town that marks both a Lewis and Clark site and the heart of the Montana Gold Rush. Relics and abandoned buildings are now managed by the state as a park complete with gallows and boot hill. Leaving Bannack, backtrack on 278 a short distance north to a right hand turn beginning the Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway which tracks north across high country that matches any national park. Great camping, ghost towns including untrampled Coolidge, and wildflower meadows make for a stunning drive to the town of Wise River on Route 43. From there, follow 43 back west along the Big Hole River to Wisdom, completing a compelling tour that can be driven in a long day or become an entire vacation. Big Sky Montana at large.
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