Second Jedediah Smith Trail 1824 — 1826

Day 15: September 5th, 2010 Missoula — Hamilton

Map Missoula to Hamilton

Today, my Jedediah Smith Trail starts. Because I haven’t used ear plugs this night, I wake up just before seven, although it was past midnight when I was in bed yesterday. But I didn’t wanted to get up late because of the Labor Day Weekend anyways. Checking out really takes a while today, because the guy in front of me is debating about a discount. Such a long discussion only for these couple of bugs. Eventually, it is my turn.

The girl at the reception had been once to Munich. She was teaching English in France and then did a road trip through Europe.

I–90, Missoula, MT

I–90, MT

Then I drive over to Cracker Barrel. There I arrive just before the crowds roll in. Then I quickly drive over to the next gas station and take the Interstate for the last time for a longer distance.

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

This time I take the route which I should have better followed last year on my way back from Thompson Falls. At Exit 18 I reach De Borgia. From there I take FR378, a narrow one lane but good forest road.

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

88 S10 Blazer, FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

88 S10 Blazer, FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

Deer, FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

First I try to drive without 4Low. But the inclines are extreme. There I can only drive in second gear unlocked. Additionally, I already need my fans. Otherwise, my engine would run hot with these low speeds. But with my fans things work quite well. However, 4Low would still be the better choice.

Soon after I put it in and then I can drive perfectly without using any of my fans. The new radiator really works great! There was also two times oncoming traffic with Full–Size SUVs. Then things turn out to be very tight. But we make it. Also, I drive once again through a former wildfire area, where someone is just loading some firewood. As you are supposed to, I greet friendly the guys when passing them slowly.

Finally, I arrive at a bigger forest road up to Knox Pass. There I make good miles and I am able to proceed without 4Low. Currently, there is mixed weather. But it’s only dribbling every now and then. However, it became now really chilly! In the morning we had almost 50 degrees in Missoula. Now, up here in the mountains, there are only 40 degrees! Then it is quite chilly when I leave the car. Inside my car, the transmission warms up. Therefore I don’t need any heating.

FR571, MT

At Knox Pass I turn onto the small forest road which should take me to Thompson Falls. But I stop after a couple of yards. The road looks so rotted that I don’t want to take any chances. I am not able to find another route in my printed map. But my navigation software shows me a huge but possible detour. In this case, I prefer to take the detour instead of getting stuck.

FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

Deer, FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

Deer, FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

Deer, FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

Deer, FR378/Thompson De Borgia Rd, MT

FR378, MT

FR378, MT

FR378, MT

FR378, MT

FR378, MT

On this road I make again good miles.

FR352, MT

FR352, MT

FR352, MT

After a huge detour and a complete new road routing I arrive at the spot, where my originally planned road should unite. This area looks even worse than the beginning up at Knox Pass. Here, the road is even blocked by logs! Now I am really happy that I haven’t tried to drive it. Maybe, there would have even been missing parts of the road. You never know!

FR352/Dry Creek Rd, MT

FR352/Dry Creek Rd, MT

FR352/Dry Creek Rd, MT

FR352/Dry Creek Rd, MT

FR352/Dry Creek Rd, MT

FR352/Dry Creek Rd, MT

Deer, Dry Creek Rd, MT

Now I continue in direction of Thompson Falls, where I reach the black top again.

Highway 200, Thompson Falls, MT

Highway 200, Thompson Falls, MT

Via Highway 471 I reach Highway 200. Like last year, this one takes me to Thompson Falls.

Highway 200, Saleesh House, MT

Highway 200, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Highway 200, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Just past Thompson Falls is the historical marker of Saleesh House. This is one of the possible spots where the Flathead Post could have been. I was never able to find a marker for the Flathead Post. I videotape the marker and try a full automatic recording with my new camera for the first time. Somehow, I still need some practice on all the new settings. Back in my car, I switch to manual again. But something went wrong with the autofocus. Later in my motel, I must learn that from there, all my recordings are blurry! What a bummer! Seems like I need some more time for learning!

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Highway 200, MT

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Highway 200, MT

But now, I am driving with partly sunshine on Highway 200 along the Flathead River.

Highway 93/200, MT

Highway 93/200, MT

Finally, Highway 200 unites with Highway 93 on my way back to Missoula. Approximately 12 miles before the Interstate is a gas station where I gas up and use the restroom. This is the problem with main roads. There are no rest areas and also no bushes where you just can go behind like on the backroads!

W Broadway St, Missoula, MT

Then I continue to and through Missoula.

Highway 93, MT

On Highway 12/93 I pass Lolo. There, good memories of my very first trail in 1999 are coming back!

Highway 93, MT

Highway 93/N 1st St, Hamilton, MT

Finally I reach Hamilton on Highway 93. Obviously, it starts to rain on these last couple of miles. But I am driving exactly at the edge of this rain area. When I arrive at the Super 8, everything is already over. At least something. Checking in works without any trouble and the restaurant “The Edge” still exists. But the reception lady doesn’t know anything about Downtown. So I am not able to get any information about “The Kitchen”. But I will just give it a try tomorrow! If everything fails, I can still drive back to Perkins.

I pack my stuff together and bring everything up into my room. Today, I am eventually early enough to start the transfer on my hard disk immediately. Then I leave for dinner around seven. There, many tables are still free. Only the smaller tables are almost all occupied. But back in the room is a table for four which I take.

Then I order for the first time an Angus Beef Sirloin. My server explains to me that it is like a sirloin, just more tender. It costs a Dollar more and is worth the extra money. It is somewhere between a sirloin and a fillet and tastes excellent, like last year! If I should be back in Hamilton, I will be here once again.

What is really funny around here is that you must pass a liquor store, which is part of the restaurant. And back at the sports bar is a huge counter with all kinds of alcoholic beverages! There you would really like to have something special mixed up. But I must drive. Nevertheless, it is not too far to my motel. But when I leave the restaurant around eight, it is raining! Now I am really glad that I have not been walking over!

Back in my motel, I first check the video taping — and must realize to my horror that everything starting at the manual camera setup is blurry! Such a bummer! But there is nothing I can do. I copy again my video taping additionally on a second hard drive and start writing my diary in parallel. All in all, copying takes around 20 minutes until everything is saved!

While doing this I start listening to my Toby Keith CD. Then I do my bookkeeping and in between, I copy the pictures. At least, these have been working out. Also the deer pictures at the side of the street are quite okay. And I also brew two cups of coffee. At this motel, you can only brew by the cup and not a small can. Therefore I must brew two times.

While doing all this, the Weather Channel is on my TV. At the beginning they showed 50 degrees and now we are down to 44 degrees! It is damned cold! In the meantime I have put on my sweater. Then I write a couple of emails and rip the Toby Keith CD while doing all the other stuff. Because I have Internet around here, I can do it right here as well as back home! This is now real multitasking…

In the meantime it is already eleven in the evening and therefore about time for going to bed!

The next day is in preparation…