From Glacier NP via Missoula to Hailey

09/15 - 09/16/24

Today we are heading south again. Passing by Flathead Lake.

It is the largest lake in Montana and the largest freshwater lake in the western United States. The lake is considered one of the cleanest lakes of its size. Flathead Lake is named after the Indian tribe of the Flathead, a sub-tribe of the Salish language group. Nearly half of the lake is now part of the Flathead Reservation. Previously, the lake was known as Salish Lake, which was the name used by the Flathead Indians. The lake is bordered on the east by the Mission Mountains and on the west by the Salish Mountains. Unusually, the climate in the Flathead Valley is mild climate. The main inflows are the Flathead River and the Swan River.

There is also a Flathead Lake Monster.

Similar to the Loch Ness Monster, it is said that a lake monster lives in Flathead Lake, the “Flathead Lake Monster”. The creature was reportedly first seen by the Salish Indians. Most sightings date back to 1933, when 78 people claimed to have seen the cryptid. 25 of them described the animal as a twelve-meter long sturgeon, while the rest described it as a 20-meter long sea serpent.

In not very good weather, we continue to Missoula.

The route is not particularly exciting. We booked the Shady Soruce Hostel in Missoula, which allows us to cook for ourselves once again.

The hostel is quite nice, and after a short walk through the town, we cook and have a pleasant conversation with an American from San Diego.

09/16/24

After breakfast at the hostel, we head south again. Today we will follow the Salmon River down to Hailey. A landscape highlight.

So many different landscapes, from plains to mountains, river valleys, wooded hills, barren hills, and more.

The hotel we booked in Hailey turns out to be really nice. Big bed, nice bathroom.

In the evening, we go to WiseGuyes for a pizza while watching football.