Bear Paw Meanderings

I love to view fall foliage! Each year about this time I review with you some of the best places in Montana to view the bold reds, oranges, yellows and golds not to mention purples and dark greens that make up some of the most vibrant fall foliage to be seen.

This week we go through the Bear Paw Mountains. Next week it is off to Glacier to see foliage and the week after that it is foliage where you would not think to see any.

The Bear Paw Mountains have had a terrible summer with the fire that burned much of the land between Clear Creek and Beaver Creek.

However, the very best of the Bear Paw fall foliage is still very much intact.

If you want to see wonderful fall foliage, just drive out Fifth Avenue in Havre all the way to the Ski Bowl. Foliage is glorious all the way.

Typically the first weekend of October is a very good weekend to view fall foliage. However, with the hot weather, I don’t know for sure when is going to be the best time to view fall colors. If my back yard is any measure, the Virginia creeper arbor is right on schedule of turning red so maybe fall foliage has more to do with less daylight.

I do know that another place to view magnificent fall foliage is just to continue over a divide at the Ski Bowl and drop down into the Sandy Creek Valley. There the forest is thick and the foliage is very beautiful. I know I write these words every year but friends have told me that driving that tiny valley is like driving through the hardwood forests of Vermont. Just no houses to be seen.

You will need a high profile vehicle for that trip and maybe even a four wheel drive. It is a very beautiful part of the Bear Paw Mountains.

In the Clear Creek area I have always recommended viewing the foliage around Hungry Hollow leading up to Murphy Butte. However, this year I think a lot of that has burned so it might not be as good as ever. If you are up to it, just drive out Fifth Avenue once again and up to the Sucker Creek Road just below Kiwanis Camp. From there turn and go over two divides coming down into Clear Creek. Go south or right at that turn and head to Hungry Hollow. If it has not burned, there will be plenty of fall foliage to see along the way.

Good luck with your foliage hunting. Next week we go to Glacier in search of the most beautiful aspen groves in Montana.