Farlin (also in the National Forest):
A few buildings still remain from the 500-member mining community
of Farlin, Montana, which once spread along the hills of Birch
Creek. There's a school and the butcher's shop, as well as the
smelter and some original mining equipment. A walk through nearby
hills will reveal abandoned miner's cabins, as well as a few active
claims. It's a neat outing, complimented by Birch Creek itself,
a typically photogenic Montana stream.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition cut through Montana in 1803-1806.
There are several trail access points in the area, plus lots of
local events celebrating their exploration.
Hell Roaring' Gulch
The whole family will enjoy a stroll through the Gulch. Located
just outside of Butte, this recreated 1890's mining town is equipped
with an array of period articles that will grab any antique collector's
attention. Buildings include the Chinese laundry, sauerkraut factory,
funeral parlor and ice house, plus the school, general store and
saloon. While you're there, visit the World Museum of Mining and
Orphan Girl Mine right next-door.
Golf
There's a pretty fair 9-hole course in Butte, plus a resort west
of Butte with an 18-hole course. A real attraction for the serious
golfer is the Old
Works Course, recently opened in Anaconda. It was designed
by Jack Nicklaus and is already gaining a reputation for excellent
golf. All three are within a half-hour's drive. You can play in
the "Big City" during the day and come home to the country for
a peaceful night's sleep.
Hiking
There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge
National Forest, which make for an endless number of choices
of distance and difficulty.
A local favorite is the Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area,
located about 12 miles north of town. It's an easy day hike of
eight miles round trip into a unique primitive area. The trail
has a few steep upgrades, but they're short ones. For your effort,
you'll be rewarded with an up-close view of the huge granite pillars
for which the area was named, a forest of genuinely primeval Douglas
fir, and a neat little trout stream.
A section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is
a 20-minute drive from the motel. Along with the built-in satisfaction
that comes from hiking the Divide, it has some great scenery and
wildlife-viewing opportunities.
Rockclimbing
See the Hiking section for the Humbug Spires, where there's climbing
in just about every grade. "The Wedge", which stands at the head
of the valley, is an alpine rock experience with mostly crack
climbing. Two other formations in the area - Dragon's Back and
Homestake Pass - are also popular with climbers. Some of the nicest
climbs are only a quarter mile hike from your car.
Cycling
The Sportsman is on the loop of the scenic Big Hole route. Our
campground, bathrooms and laundry make a great stopping spot -
either for the night, or just for a water break. Check www.visitmt.com
under Cycling Routes in Montana.
Photography
If you enjoy wildflowers, you'll enjoy the Vipond, an alpine meadow
that puts on an unparalleled show in the spring and summer. You'll
drive right past the "Beehives" on your way, so there's plenty
to fill a roll of film. Of course, we've also got enough thick
mountain forests, sage-covered ridges, lush river bottoms, ranch
scenes and wildlife to fill up a couple more.
Rock Hounds
There's still gold in them thar hills. A 27.5 ounce gold nugget
was found north of town in 1989, and flakes of gold shimmer in
the stream bottoms. You can pan on public land or with permission
of local landowners.
It's an easy day trip from Melrose to Crystal Park, a public
mining claim where you just might dig up a 6" purple quartz crystal.
Other mineral treasures to be found in the area include smoky
quartz, amethyst, agates and sapphire.
If you're not inclined to active digging, you can still enjoy
the Mineral
Museum on the Montana Tech campus in Butte. Over 1500 specimens
are on display including that 27.5 ounce nugget. There's a spectacular
mineral collection next door to campus at Hell Roarin' Gulch,
where you'll also see the World
Museum of Mining.
Other Neat Stuff
There are lots of other things to do around Melrose. The Big Hole
River is fine for canoeing, kayaking or tubing, although beginners
should be cautious in the spring. Several dealers in Butte rent
equipment.
How about bird watching? Several fascinating colonies of swifts
build their adobe homes in cliffs and under bridges. The Montana
climate is pretty hard on songbirds, but we do have some hardy
finches and warblers. What we're lacking in music, we make up
for in majesty: bald eagles, osprey, and several hawk species.
There are also grouse, pheasants, wild turkeys, plus sandhill
cranes, swans and all kinds of migratory waterfowl.
Want to find out the truth about the hanging of Sheriff Plummer
by the group of solid citizens call The Vigilantes? Both the Dillon
and Virginia City Museums have the answers. Take a tour of the
special museums in Butte, from the Piccadilly Museum of Transportation
Memorabilia to the Copper King Mansion. Or walk the boardwalks
of the original territorial capital of Bannock - which stands
empty but intact - and get the scoop on 1800's politics at the
accompanying Interpretation Center.
If none of these activities seem to be your style, perhaps you'd
just like to sit on a log bench in front of the motel and watch
the continual show of sunshine, shadow and clouds on the ridges.
It's never the same twice.
