Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-08-23
KARST'S DREAM
OF CAMP CAME
ON STAGE COACH
OLD-TTMER HAS BEEN HOST IN
GALLATnV CANYON FOR
40 YEARS

Remote from the beaten trail, YET
with Bozeman to the north and Vel
lowstone park TO the south, easily &C
cessible by good auto road, Struggled
in the precipitous Alpine setting Of
the famous Gallatin river canyon, Is
Karst's camp, which, during the pres
emit season, has more than ever De
come the mecca for discriminating
tourists in search Of q change OF scene
and a refreshing recreational environ
ment that Is unique.
For 40 years the beacon light OF
home has flashed a welcome to the
occasional traveller from the cabin OF
Peter Karst, pioneer settler OF the
GalIatin canyon. During all these
years, practically without publicity,
but with the habitual hospitality OF
the Aold-timer," Karst's camp has
continued to grow in favor and IN
popular patronage.
Although today he is Handed pro-
prietor," with more than a score OF
spotless cabins scattered beneath the
whispering pines, with modern cleo
trio light and power plant function
ing all over the premises and all the
rest of the formidable gear that goes
to make I'D a modern camp, 1t is the
same old-fashioned, sincere and large
hearted "Peter" who welcomes the
coming and speeds the parting guest
or doles out the groceries and drinks
within the log store that is an I'M
portant part Of the plant.
Years ago, before the mind Of man
ever dreamed of planting permanent
foot within the forbidding walls Of
the canyon, Peter Karst drove the
leisurely mail stage from BOzeman to
Eldridge. Peter had plenty Of time to
study the landscape in those days as
he cracked his bull whip over the hide
Of the reluctant steed. Winter and
summer he traversed the canyon and
noted the high spots in the panorama
of scenic grandeur that marked his
comings and goings. The spot that he
picked out 40 years ago Is still his
home and it is still the one compen-
ing show place of the far-famed val
ley of the West Gallatin.
Of the great trinity of rivers, the
Madison, the Jefferson and the CAL
latin, the Gallatin alone has left the
most rugged and compelling evidences
Of travail in its birth and adolescence
high up in the mountains Of north
western Yellowstone park. Winding
tortuously from the higher reaches, 1t
booms its way over buried boulders
and gravelly shoals until it reaches
the very climax Of beauty In the little
glen at Karst's. Here, fringed by
stately conifers, thanking lush meadows,
it is poetry made visible and beauty
become audible, In its rock-arrested
descent to the Missouri and the sea.
! In such a setting and with such
a host, 1t Is little wonder that many
motor to Karst's on Sunday. Perhaps
nowhere else in the state win one find
such delightful entertainment.
To put it in q simpler way, Peter
Karst Is emphatically Of the "Old
West" He is far less landlord than
he is a personal friend and host to
all who come his way.
OF course, there is abundant oppor-
tunity in the immediate vicinity for
hikes, horseback jaunts and especially,
and above all, for rare good fishing,
not only at Karst,s but for several
miles up and downstream. Native and
trout await with equal I'M
partiality the lures Of the skilled an
gler or the youthful tyro. And in the
fall, when the frost is on the pump
kin and the folders In the SHOCK"
when the elk and deer and bear and
sheep are fattening beneath
the hunters moon, the exodus Of fish
ermen and summer visitors is followed |
by the coming of shrewd nimrods from |
al parts Of the state, who never fail |
10 bag their quarry and secure their
legal share Of the trophies Of the
chase.