First Adventure in the Bitterroot Range

After completing my first week of work at my new job in Hamilton, Montana, it was time to enjoy the lovely weekend!  A coworker had recommended a hike to an overlook that wouldn't be too difficult with a baby, so we checked it out.  On the hike upwards we were treated to great views of the Bitterroot Valley, with the Sapphire Mountains to the East, and glimpses of the intimidating canyons before us that snake into the deep wilderness of the Bitterroot Mountains.

These imposing mountains are still almost the same as when the Lewis & Clark Expedition probed them for a suitable pass (which they found to the North of Hamilton, near present day Lolo).  But for us, it was a nice stroll through the forest and enjoying the stunning beauty of God's creation.  As we got hire up more wild roses and lupine were everywhere.

Upon reaching the top of the overlook, the beauty of the canyon stretching into the wilderness was breathtaking.  The distant peaks that were visible sit in Idaho, and it's the beginning of a vast tract of virtually untouched land for over 100 miles.

After enjoying the views for a while and giving Adelaide time to not be cooped up in the carrier we headed back down the trail.  Addie conveniently slept most of the hike down.  And on our way back down the trail we began to hit lots of hikers on their way up.  One thing that has struck Amber and I about this area is how friendly, genuine, and level headed everyone here is.  I've long known that Montanans have a reputation for being friendly and kind, but here in Ravalli County we are blown away by it all.  It doesn't matter if it's fellow Christians, random strangers, cashiers in the grocery store, hikers on a trail, or your own neighbors.  For the most part life goes on here much like normal, people have the freedom to live life how they see fit and don't judge others who disagree, people recognize the importance of family bonding, and their is a huge sense of patriotism still alive in this part of the country.  It's the three F's.  Faith, Family, & Freedom are alive and well here.  It's so refreshing and makes me all the more excited to think about raising our family in God's country.

Fort Owen State Park

Now that we are settled in Hamilton, we had our first family outing to Fort Owen State Park, which is just a 20 minute drive up the valley, in Stevensville.

Fort Owen's claim to fame is a lot of Montana's firsts: First white settlement, first Catholic church, first grist mill, etc.  In 1850 John Owen came out west at a time when the mission was closing down.  He bought the land and over the course of the years he developed the fort.  It became an important haven to those braving the American frontier in subsequent years.  Owen had hoped that his fort would become the central hub for Western Montana, but those dreams did not last.  By the end of the Civil War, Missoula (just a 30 minute drive north today) was booming and becoming the new settlement that was connected to Eastern Washington via the Mullan Road.

As the fort's importance waned, and John Owen became poor in health and mired in debt, the area fell into disrepair.  The land eventually became owned by local farmers, who then donated it to the Stevensville Historical Society, and in turn to Montana State Parks.

Today the East Barracks building is the only original building still standing.  Excavations have taken place to unearth foundations and artifacts of this era of Montana frontier life.  A few replicas have been placed in this small park for visitors to explore on this mostly self guided experience.

If you find yourself in the gorgeous Bitterroot Valley of Montana, and have an hour of time to kill, this small state park is worth checking out if you're interested in American history and learning about the life of our ancestors as they settled the West.