JUNE 13 GARDINER TO BIGHORN CANYON

June  13^th Gardiner to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Today was mostly travel by interstate through a very EMPTY Montana.  It is clear why they feature “BIG SKY” because there is an unobstructed 360s degree view of a HUGE sky.

As we neared Bighorn Canyon we could see bare mountains,  some rocky cliffs, not much else.

The landscape is sagebrush, bushes, grey-brown underbrush, rocks, and bony hills.

We decided to forego the stay in the motel in Lovell for a campsite at Horseshoe Bend Campground  in the BCNRA.  The wind is constant and strong. We hope not to be blown away tonight.

The Bighorn Canyon is very impressive but not accessible.  I had hoped to rent a boat at the marina so that we could look up at the huge canyon walls from the water.  Unfortunately the marina only rented canoes and kayaks.  In the wind here we would never be able to keep control.

We drove to the various overlooks and the longer we were here the more we appreciated the stark beauty of this place. The canyon is magnificent and you get to be so close. Like seeing the Grand Canyon from half way down.

Bighorn Canyon

Canyon walls of Bighorn Canyon

Horseshoe Bend of Bighorn River

High valley to right created by a glacier

One section is a protected range for wild mustangs. As we rounded a corner we came upon a beautiful black wild mustang on the side of the road. He was beautiful.  Chick inched forward in the car so I could get a photo of him without scaring him.

Bighorn Canyon view

As I write this an enormous bank of white cumulus clouds is growing bigger and bigger, moving left to right across the sky, now taking up 30% of the horizon as I look east. The mountains look small by comparison.

We had planned to be here two nights but since we can’t get a boat for the river, we will leave again tomorrow and stop half way to our next destination which is Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado (if we aren’t blown away tonight.)

Windbreak in Campground

Salmon steaks ready to cook

Snoopy and Chick