Bear Paw Meanderings

With the Bear Paw Mountains so nice and green yet, there is no better time to pack a picnic lunch and take a summer drive somewhere or other just to see how great this land is that we call North Central Montana.

The trip I am going to suggest is a little more rigorous than most and should be done in a SUV or a pickup or at least a car with high clearance.

Take your lunch, your family, the dog and head to Harlem. At Harlem turn south and go to Hays. From Hays be looking to the right or west as there is a road that is marked to go to Cow Creek. Take that road and wander around the tops of Cow Creek breaks and Missouri breaks with some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see.

If you worry about missing the one turn to the west, ask for directions in Hays. You want to cross Cow Creek at the Liddle Ranch and head cross country to the Bear Paw Mountains coming out around the vicinity of the old Bear Paw Springs area. Although, don’t worry, just go west and enjoy seeing many mountain ranges and the Missouri below you like Lewis and Clark saw it so many years ago.

Eventually you will come out on good roads and road signs once again. At that time you will clearly see Baldy in the Bear Paw Range and you should follow roads that will aim you to that mountain.

You should come out at Hungry Hollow and Clear Creek but don’t worry if you don’t. All roads in that vicinity come out somewhere. Just don’t get on a ferry and cross the Missouri. You will be too far away if you do that.

When you get to Clear Creek, the road to Beaver Creek is clearly marked via the Sucker Creek Road.

When you arrive at Beaver Creek, you should be hungry so find a picnic spot, get a fire going, get the hot dogs and beans cooking and eat like a wolf in that idyllic setting.

After eating and maybe a nap, head home refreshed be seeing some land that is as incredible as any in Montana!

Don’t worry, you won’t get lost. Just don’t cross the Missouri!