The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-08-12
A COOL SUMMER RESORT.
From All Parts Of the
Country.

Country.
One Of the prettiest summer resorts
in the northwest, and n which will
grow in popularity, is Lake Melon.
aid, located in the heart OF the Rockies
in the northeastern part of Flathead
county. The lake is about ten miles
long by two miles wide, with heavily
timbered mountains sloping to the
edge of the water. 1t is fed by several
mountain sire the overflow find.
ing an outlet at the foot of the lake
into the middle fork of the Flathead
river.
The nearest railroad point to the
lake is Bolton, on the Great Northern,
where hacks meet all trains and make
the transfer of about three miles to
the foot of the lake. There is q neat
and we'll kept hotel at Bolton, where
tourists can find good sccommoda tions
If desired.
Lake Mcdonald, although in the
heart of the Rocky mountains, has Al
elev alton of only $3.50 feet, or about
500 feet higher than Fort Benton. 1t
occupies q valley between several
mountain peaks, and is of unknown
depth.
A large number of camping parties
visit the lake every season, some of
them owning or renting cabins or be-.
ing provided with tents and other
necessary paraphernalia. Others find
pleasant accommoda atoms at the no.
tells, each of which is provided with
q number Of small cottages, and pro-
vides entertainment at very reasona-
BILE rates. The Apgar hotel is located
at the foot of the lake, where COM
munication is made by boat with other
points. F. G. Geduhn, formerly of
Belt, has built q hotel at the head of
the lake, and the Glacier hotel, owned
by j. E. Lewis, is located near the
head of the lake. The latter hotel
and its various cottages have electric
lights furnished by water power from
an adjacent mountain stream.
Two large launches, one operated
by gasoline power and the other by
steam, and each capable of seating
about forty passengers, ply between
the foot and the head of the lake.
Another large gasoline launch is
owned by Lewis, .of the Glacier hotel,
and one by Mr.. Howe, at the foot OF
the lake. There is also q large mum.
Der of row boats for the use of visi-
! tors.
There are no wagon roads in the
locality, except the one from Bolton
to the foot OF the lake. The avenues
of travel consist of trails cut through
the timber, along which trips arc
made on horseback or afoot to the
various points of interest. These
trails pass through miles and miles
Of dense tim Der. consisting principally
of cedar, pine and fir.
There are plenty of big fish in the
lake, bat they appear to be difficult &c
catch, expert fishermen having the
best luck by trolling with the spoor
or artificial minnow bait. The favor
tie fishing ground is the mouth OF
Mcdonald creek, at the head of the
lake. a stream about as wide as tn.
Marias, with a beautiful waterfall
about half a mile above its mouth
There are various localities of scent,
beauty, such as the Sperry glacie,
and Avalanche basin, to which trip.
are made from the head of the lake
saddle and pack horses and guide,
being available for that purpose.
Several visitors from Great Falls
Fort Benton, Havre and other north
ern Montana points have recently re
turned from Lake Mcdonald, and al
express themselves as highly pleased
with their outing. The region viii
probably be set apart as q nationa
park, a bill with that end in vie7
having been introduced al the las
session of congress, and which is ex
pecved to receive favorable action tn
coming winter.