The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-12-18
T1T AN average altitude of $500
III feet the North Fork of the
W Flathead river follows a

course southeast to the Flat
head river through the northeast,
ern part of Flathead county. Walled
on the east by the main range of the
Rocky mountains, and the Whitefish
ridges on the west; it's mild clear
green. but rapidly flowing waters
travel through grandly timbered
valley. On every side innumerable
snowwater creeks spring into life;
form many picturesque mountain
lakes and then wander among foot
hills and low ridges to empty into the
Flathead river and later contribute
to the Pacific. The natural home of
large and small game. The paradise
of both hunter and nimrod Without
question presenting the most grand
and sublime views of Alpine scenery
in the Americas, if not the world.
Surrounded by the immensely of the
Rocky mountains and their glaciers.
Such is the now famous bitumen oil
field of Flathead county.
This beautiful valley Of the north
fork of the Flathead river surround
ed by mountains whose snow-capped
peaks blind the eye with their
miraculously white reflections. With
it's views impossible to imagine or
describe is extremely difficult of ac-
cess especially during the closed sea
son which period usually extends
from the first of December until late
in June.
1t was our fortune or misfortune to
visit the district during the month
of November and owing to the fact
of stories which had come to us re-
garding the country, we were not
prepared for the reception received
upon arrival at Bolton This station
owing to the fact that the Butte Oil
company has constructed a road from
Lake Macdonald to the kintla lake
oil field, is the only place of entry
from which route can be followed
with any semblance to comfort.
An east bound passenger on the
Great Northern made a momentary
stop, and we were standing in the
darkness along the track without the
faintest idea of where there was a
hotel or, what proved later. even the
location OF the box car station A
faint CLEAN attracts attention and
stumbling through six inches Of snow
we are brought up against the steps
of the hotel.
The following morning found us in
much better humor as the break
fast had been a surprisingly good
one for such an out Of the way
place. Having only faint idea
of how to reach kintla lake. inquiry
was made and it did not take long
to be convinced of the difficulties to
be overcome and the hardships OF
the journey into the oil fields.
Pack horses could have been Sc
cured, in fact it is now the only man
ner to reach the country at this time
but, fortunately, the freighting outfit
of the Butte Oil company was tC
start for the field the next day and
would be making their last trip
Jack Reuter-. who was in charge
learning that we were going in
kindly offered transportation. and as
a result the trip was made under as
pleasant conditions as possible a,
that season of the year.
The first hours journey took us tt
the summer resort on Lake Mac
Donald, now deserted. but its see
merry enriched by winter storms.
Here the real work" commenced
It was travelling rough road run
ming into an almost unknown country
The wagons rumble over IA rough
mountain road. It would be strange
if some of the natural beauty of Tho
scenery were not knocked out of mint
by ruts and roots over which We
pass.
We cross little creeks. through
virgin forests of pine. hemlock AM
new forest growth, up hill and down
Every side bound by gnarled trees
whose rough sides attempt to hide
the wilderness. Five miles travele,
brings us to McGee's meadow.
Again the journey is taken up. W.
pass now through a fairly open coun
try, over small prairies or meadows
Now the tumultuous cadence of tn
wind in lodge pole pines sing of com
ing winter. Snow blOtches cover par
TALLY frozen ground. We are start
LED by the distant view of masnit
cent snow covered mountains. N
living thing in view. only vast boul
dairy of silence. lone land.
Camas creek is crossed and w
spend the night in deserted cabi
on Anaconda creek.
The journey is renewed. There i
continued ominous silence. Sue
denly pine squirrel dilating Wit
surprise runs up a tree and chatter
angrily. The horses, unable to Will
stand the tempting shoots. brows
as they walk. Crossing Logsin
creek, then Quartz creek. Along lii
tie lakes upon the surface of whic
water fowls show their disproval b
silently swimming from their fee,
ing grounds into the sparkling gree
of deeper water.
A pause is made at Uncle JEFF:
Bowman creek is crossed as is ais
Indian creek. and we stop with Ere
Herrig, the forest ranger.
The Big Prairie gives us the frs
real view of the main range of tn
Rocky mountains since commencin
the trip. AS we cross the five mile
of Open expanse the view grows an