DESTINATION Generic 158 Photosets
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| Hiking | 1.25 Miles |
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| | Hiking | 1.25 Miles | | | |
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| no partners | | I had heard about Lost Lake, mostly from my dad a couple years ago. He thinks it's more wonderful than it actually was to me and he's been all over the world... but to each his own I guess. Anyway, I was heading to Glacier Park but then I heard my cousin mention something about Lost Lake. I decided to forego the earlier arrival at Glacier  and tag along for the adventure.
From Ft Benton, you head S toward Geraldine but then hang a right and head west and south toward the Highwood Mtns and the town of Shonkin (town is really an exaggeration as it consists of a grain elevator and one house). It really is a beautiful drive and we were all amazed at how green it was  . They've had a lot of spring rain and it shows. Under broken clouds in the very blue sky, the wind swept wheat fields still in the early stage of ripening were so beautiful with the Highwood Mountains looming in the distance.
My cousin knows me well so when he would hear me hyper-ventilating  in the back seat he would try to find a more scenic place to stop. I haven't spent much time in this part of the country and shame on me as I was close lots. We eventually headed down into the valley which is actually part of the Shonkin Sag toward the big town of Shonkin. Oh it was quite picturesque down here. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I had moved a button on my camera down to manual so my zooms were blurry.
I was surprised as to the 3 or 4 cars that had passed by but I guess there is a recreational area not too far from here. We drove out of the Valley and back up onto the plains that were dotted with wildflowers, mostly lupine and yarrow from what I could see. Soon we started to see boulders and rock outcroppings. We were now on Lost Lake Road and would pull our vehicle slightly off the road to walk over to; ...well I really didn't know where but I assumed a lake of some sort. We stopped to observe the various style of the rocks and a couple had holes where you could look thru to beyond.
You really couldn't see what awaited you and then gradually you get closer to an edge that you can't see until you're on it.  OMG, what an unexpected sight. And yep there was a lake, bigger than I expected. And to the west was the remnants of the ancient falls. The way the linked article http://home.onemain.com/~miscmail/fld_trip/sh_sag2.htm explains it: ...a gigantic waterfall without a drop of water falling over its face. During the ice age this must have been one of greatest falls in North America. The total height from the brink of the falls to the bottom of the lake at the foot is over 250 feet. The falls here were more than twice the height and twice the width of Niagara Falls.
The linked article actually covers part of our drive altho they went CCW.
The Shonkin Sag is really quite the geological event. This area where we were is where the Missouri River used to flow. If you're into this sort of thing, check out the topo. The Missouri flows to the north of it by Fort Benton. Funny, either I didn't hear about it in school or forgot. We went to Ft Benton a lot and Lost Lake or the Shonkin Sag was never a subject of discussion. I mean after all, it would be a cool place to hang out. I guess better late than never.
As we were wandering Cousin Brian spotted a deer in the brush area to the west. I zoomed in to grab a few pictures and then we moved a little more aggressively to see if we could shoo it out of the brush (we were still quite a distance away). Well not only was there more than one deer, there were FOUR with racks. How incredibly beautiful! I got several pictures as they moved out of the brush and up the grassy hillside; tried to get a movie but couldn't get the camera to cooperate.
After that excitement we continued walking in and out of the rock formations (according to what I've read: The rocks are mostly shonkinite, a rare mineral that is found in only a few places in the world.) along the edge until we came to a grassy depression. Cousin Brian said a couple people he knew had gotten to the bottom but he didn't know where they went down. Anyway, we walked as far down as we could until we were cliffed out. From here however, you could get a good look at the Shonkinite cliffside that covered part of the north wall.
We walked back up the grassy hillside and into the low bushes of which some had berries. Next we headed back to the top of the hill and back to the vehicle. I don't know if this area is private land or partially private land as there are no signs to indicate one way or the other. I had read on a blog I think, that it is private land and I think they had posted a phone number. My cousin has been out there a couple times as other people I know with no problems.
Fort Benton is an awesome little town (and not just cuz I was born there  )anyway so a trip out this way is well worth your while. Off in the distance to the east you will also see the cool formation of Square Butte. The flat-topped butte juts 2,400 feet above the surrounding plains and is visible for a radius of seventy-five miles in many directions. With its soaring buttresses, spires, and pinnacles it is a compelling and imposing site.
We would be heading to the town
http://visitmt.com/listing/categories_NET/City.aspx?city=square+butte
next for a red beer and lunch at the local cafe. Along the way you pass by a ranch and a large alkaline lake. We encountered a "bothered" angus bull so I took a little video of him as he was bellowing at the cows that were too far away for his enjoyment.
We stopped at a scenic viewpoint off of Hiwy 80 that takes you past the small town of Geraldine and into Square Butte. Unfortunately, the cafe at Square Butte was full up with a geology tour. So we headed back to Fort Benton.
Video one: http://youtu.be/VIGURax-Z6M
Video two: http://youtu.be/2m22-sl1Xio |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
lots of lupine. Wildlife Observation: 4 bucks |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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