Stillwater River - Montana

April 19, 2014  •  Leave a Comment

 

Reflections on the Stillwater RiverReflections on the Stillwater River

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One of my first places to stop when getting to Big Sky Country was the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.  There are MANY access points for this(lots of mountain roads go up the various drainages).  There are also many access areas on the Beartooth Highway(the most beautiful drive in Montana).  

I spent a lot of time in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness because living in Billings, I was only 2 or so hours away.  This allowed me to take many day/overnight trips up to Mystic Lake in West Rosebud, Elk Lake in East Rosebud, and Sioux Charlie Lake on the Stillwater(just below the incredible Cathedral Point).

From a photography perspective, the rushing water through the Stillwater Canyon is really hard to beat.  Compositions are everywhere! and the changing seasons bring so many different looks to the area.  

In the summer there is lots of plant life, clear water, and friendly people.  In the fall the patches of aspen really add to the scenes.  In the spring the river RAGES!  But my favorite time to visit is(and always will be) in the winter.  The people are scarce, the bears are asleep, and the ice really works its magic. 

This time around I didn't have a whole lot of ice, since I came in spring.  But there was a nice layer of snow everywhere.  In Billings, the ground was dry, but as I approached Columbus and my elevation started to increase, the amount of snow on the ground ticked up.  

By the time I got to the Nye area, I was in a winter wonderland.  I knew I had a little bit of time until the good light, so I explored a couple different roads I had never been down before( I no longer had the excuse of 'I'll do it next time)

Snowy scene near Nye MontanaSnowy scene near Nye Montana

Fishtail Basin RanchFishtail Basin Ranch

For real...

Dirt Road in MontanaDirt Road in Montana

Cloudscape near Nye MontainCloudscape near Nye Montain

My transportation and hotel for a few days...

Stillwater River, Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, NyeStillwater River, Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, NyeVarious images from the Stillwater River, Stillwater County, Nye Montana and the surrounding area. includes images of waterfalls, mountain scenes and bighorn sheep.

Blink and you might miss it...

Nye Montana SignNye Montana Sign

When passing the Stillwater Mine, you will often see a big group of Bighorn Sheep that are very comfortable around people.  

Bighorn Sheep near the Stillwater MineBighorn Sheep near the Stillwater Mine

Continuing past the Woodbine Campground, and nearing the parking area for the trailhead to Sioux Charlie, we are graced with this scene...

Mountains in and the Stillwater RiverMountains in and the Stillwater River

The Stillwater RiverThe Stillwater River

Now on to the trailhead, you immediately enter the canyon the forces the Stillwater River into some awesome little waterfalls and rapids.  Image of signage was taken with my smartphone.

Sign to Absaroka Beartooth WildernessSign to Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness

A small waterfalls on the Stillwater RiverA small waterfalls on the Stillwater River

It doesn't take long before Cathedral Mountain comes into view.  It sure is an incredible sight!

Tree and Cathedral Mountain Tree and Cathedral Mountain

A short ways past the tree pictured above, there will be another trail on the right that goes up a different direction away from the river.  If you take this trail a short ways, then bushwhack up to the rock edge, you get a nice view like this one...

The Stillwater River Meanders through the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness.The Stillwater River Meanders through the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness.

Mountains in the Absaroka Beartooth WildernessMountains in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness

Mountains in the Absaroka Beartooth WildernessMountains in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness

After the sun went down, the clouds came in and the snow started to fall!  I knew that the moon should be up in the sky but with all the clouds I needed to get away from the larger mountains to really see it.  After taking a detour near Nye, a herd of elk ran across the road in front of my car!  By this time, I was in an area where the moon was really shining, so I cranked up the iso on my camera and tried for a shot of the elk herd in the field.  (the elk at the very bottom right held still looking back at me for the six-second exposure:)

A herd of elk under moonlightA herd of elk under moonlight

From there I milled about shooting the mountain scenes before packing it in for the night...

Absaroka Beartooth Mountains under MoonlightAbsaroka Beartooth Mountains under Moonlight

Absaroka Beartooth Mountains under MoonlightAbsaroka Beartooth Mountains under Moonlight

Nye Community Church under MoonlightNye Community Church under Moonlight

Thanks for looking...


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