The Big Belt Mountains

Steady rain fell for the whole of yesterday morning.  The rain did not stop until about noon.  Once the showers stopped, however, the storm clouds quickly parted and provided a very pleasant day.  Martha and I advantaged the more agreeable weather by taking a drive into the Big Belt Mountains. 

The Big Belts extend from the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains rather like an arm.  The Missouri River twines through these mountains and has been formed into Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Hauser Lake, and Holter Lake by a series of dams.  If you happen to live in Helena, Montana, the skyline you see as you look toward to north is that of the Big Belt Mountains; this includes the Sleeping Giant.

I have posted three photos from the upper part of our drive.  The stone canyons that lead to the high meadows pictured are spectacular and must be seen to be understood.  A picture will never do.  The last photograph (though not a very good one) is a view of the Helena (Prickly Pear) Valley as seen from Hogback Mountain.  

--Mitchell Hegman