MONTANA
"THE BIG SKY COUNTRY"
Montana State Flag
Interesting Facts: Under the word "Montana", on a blue field, is the state
seal. The seal shows some of Montana's beautiful scenery and tells what
people were doing in pioneer times. The pick, shovel and plow represent
mining and farming. In the background a sun rises over mountains, forests
and the Great Falls of the Missouri river. The ribbon contains the state
motto "Gold and Silver".
Montana State Flower - Bitterroot
Interesting Facts: Long before explorers Lewis and Clark wrote about the
beautiful purplish-pink flower of the bitterroot, Native Americans were using
its roots for food and trade. An Indian story tells how the bitterroot
came to be. It says the sun heard a mother crying because she couldn't
find food for her family. The sun changed her tears into the bitterroot so
she would always have food for her children.
Montana State Tree - Ponderosa Pine
The Ponderosa is a large tree with an irregular crown, eventually developing a
flat top or short conical crown. The ponderosa pine self-prunes.
In the 2010 Census Data, Montana's state population was 989,415.
Did you know?
1. Montana has the largest migratory elk herd in the
nation.
2. The state boasts the largest breeding population of trumpeter swans in
the lower U.S.
3. Montana's Yogo Sapphire is the only North American gem to be included
in the Crown Jewels of England.
4. Yellowstone National Park in southern Montana and Northern Wyoming was
the first national park in the nation.
5. No state has as many different species of mammals as Montana does.
6. Montana is the only state with a triple divide allowing water to flow
into the Pacific, Atlantic, and Hudson Bay. This phenomenon occurs at
Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park.
7. Montana has the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states.
8. Montana's name comes from the Spanish word mountain.
9. In Montana the deer, elk, and antelope populations out number the
humans. Average counties have 6 people per square mile.
In our area of Northwest Montana:
Noxon is nestled in the corner of Northwest Montana very close to the Idaho and Canadian borders. Noxon has a population of 687. Only 11% of the land here is owned by individuals. That opens up a lot of public area to fish, hunt, explore, hike, ski, and recreate on the water. Noxon is located on the Cabinet Gorge Reservoir; Clark Fork River. Located between the Cabinet Gorge Dam and the Noxon Rapids Dam; this reservoir provides miles of recreational opportunities. Fished primarily by boat, there are many accesses to the reservoir and it has a great largemouth and smallmouth bass fishery and a northern pike fishery.
Noxon is known for its abundant crop of wild huckleberries, it's many trails into the wilderness, awesome forests, abundance of wildlife, and it's friendly locals.
Just 12 miles to the east is the Noxon Reservoir. The small town of Trout Creek is located on this Reservoir. This 6000+ acre reservoir is at an elevation of 2345 ft. This lake is stocked with bass, trout and many other species of fish. There is plenty of room to roam on these reservoirs with a very good chance of being totally alone.
Just a couple of miles West of Noxon off hwy 200 is the Scenic Highway 56. This highway has been dubbed "The highway to Heaven". You will glimpse breathtaking views of the Cabinet Mountains, home to much wildlife including the Grizzly Bear and the Grey Wolf who have always lived here. You will drive through the Bull River Valley traveling along the meandering path of the Bull River. The Bull River flows South into the Clark Fork River. There are a couple of public access points for anglers, kayakers, and canoeists. Don't forget your binoculars there is lots of bird watching and wildlife viewing to do on your way down. Only four short miles off hwy 56 is the Ross Creek Cedars. Don't miss this. A walk through this ancient cedar grove makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. A short distance later you will view Bull Lake. An awesome water recreational area. As long as you are at the intersection of Hwy 2 and Hwy 56 take the time to travel East Towards Libby and stop by the Kootenai River Falls & Swinging bridge. A beautiful adventure.
Thompson Falls is the county seat and is located 45 miles to the East. Plains is located 70 miles to the East and is the home of the Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Sandpoint, Idaho is located 45 miles to the West and has a hospital, many medical facilities, home of the Schweitzer Ski Resort and located on the Pend Orielle Lake. All of these amenities found within a relatively short distance.
You will wake up hearing the birds awesome
songs and drink your coffee watching deer graze in your yard. We love it
here and hope this has given you all an idea of what to expect from this special
place in Montana.
Some Pictures for your Viewing Pleasure.
Bull River Valley
Cabinet Mountain Wilderness
Kootenai River Falls
Salmon Run