Find some Huckleberrys

If you live in NW Montana, you already know a secret spot to find and pick huckleberrys.  If you don't live here, then they can be somewhat elusive. If all you want is a taste, then you have 2 choices. 1 buy a retail huckleberry product such as jam, a milkshake or pie. If you want a taste of FRESH huckleberrys then you need to get out there and pick some!

Here are a  few tips.



1. Ask politely where you might find some. The local's will most likely tell you that they are 'everywhere', but you might get lucky and get a tip on roughly where to start.

2. Check a map for some major roads which go far back into the mountains. You'll need to log some pretty significant altitude to find the berries.

3. The berries grow best in about 25% shade - sunny locations. This = old logging sites, along roadsides, and other places where the the natural forest has been. The berries grow not in the valleys, but in mid to high elevations. Start around 4000' and work up from there.

4. Berries start to ripen in August at lower elevations and ripen higher up as the season progresses. They grow on waist high bushes.

5. Huckleberries are the primary food for BEARS who are fattening up for the winter hibernation. You need to be aware that where there are huckleberry's, there may likely be bears! Talk loudly, wear a bear bell, sing, etc to be sure that you don't surprise the bears.

6. Have fun!

7. If you get really stuck, and want to find a taste. Here's one spot you should have success. Drive east ~10 miles from hiway 93 on Graves Creek road. Find a safe spot to pull off the road and poke around on the north side of the road.

Must do's in the Flathead valley

Go to the bulldog for a burger.
Go to the Tupelo Grill for the best bread pudding in the world...even for those who hate bread pudding.
Go to Cowgirl coffee, for great coffee and eye candy.
Go to the beach. City Beach is the known beach and has a concession. The state park beach, which is down a little ways, is $2/car, clean and you can bring your own alcoholic refreshments.
On the ski hill is a zip line and a slide for the kids.
Columbia Falls has waterslides.
If you mountain bike, some fun trails on spencer mountain, reid divide, the pig farm trails, and of course the ski hill.
Hungry Horse Dam is pretty cool.
Tally Lake is beautiful.
Dickey Lake is fabulous. Go to the south picnic area, there is no boat launch here, and there is more access to the water. Turn over big rocks and find crayfish.
Glacier National Park.
Whitefish golf course is pretty decent and cheap too (lots of golf courses in the area). Also the prime rib at the golf course is amazing.
Norm's news in Kalispell. They serve homemade soda and ice cream. The floats are awesome.
Go to flathead lake and visit Tamarack Brewing Company. Lanny McDonald has a development there and his daughter runs the brewing company.

Mt. Marston Lookout

When you drive along hiway 93 near the town of Fortine, to the east is a imposing mountain range. The highest of these peeks is Mount Marston (Elevation 7330 feet). Usually, these peeks are inaccessible to all but the most dedicated mountaineers. At the top of this peek is a National Forest Service fire watch tower and a road enabling you and I to reach the summit.

The road is a typical forestry road and not for the faint hearted. Lots of places with toe curling drops to one side. Its probably not accessible in the early spring and late fall due to snow pack. June to September you should be able to drive up without 4wd. Its about 18 miles of driving off the hiway with the last 5 being the most extreme.

In mid to late summer, the fire lookout is probably staffed. Greet the ranger and you'll probably get invited in for a tour of the lookout. This time of year is also peek season for mosquito's up here. Bring your bug spray and long sleeved clothes.

There is a fire pit at the top. Bring a lunch and enjoy the stellar views here.

For those of you who are geocachers you may want to look for GC1HPGA while you are here.

Update: September 2011:  There are three forest service hiking trails you can use to get to the top. 1 can be accessed from Laughing Water road which is just north of the Murphy Lake Ranger Station, Second is just south of the Dickey Lake north campground turnoff, and the last is somewhere near Stryker. You'll have to stop in at the Ranger station for exact details. Oh... and don't forget your bearspray.

Not into hiking up?  Have someone drop you at the top and cruise down on your mountain bike for a dip in Dickey Lake



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4 Corners Restraunt - Eureka MT.

The 4 corners restaurant is one of my long standing favorites.

There is 2 parts to this facility. One is a dining room. Its tastefully decorated and features a central large table for groups that is cut from a single tree. Its maybe 15' long and 6 or 8' across.

The other side is the lounge/casino where you can enjoy a beer and test your luck. While you won't find much hockey on the big screens, there is plenty of football and baseball for your viewing pleasure.

Both sides boast a wonderful menu. Always fresh, and plentiful portions ranging from quicky pub food to full dinner entrées. My personal favorite is the breakfast burrito...

If you are in Eureka and need a great meal in a relaxed environment, the 4 corners restaurant is for you.

Its located at the intersection of Hiway 93 and 37 in Eureka directly across from the Kasanka inn.


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Jerry's Saloon & Meadow Creek Golf Course

Jerry's Saloon is one of those places you just have to get to. It has an authentic rustic feel which is contrasted with a bit of a beach bar decor. Its a bit odd.
The actual bar top is sloped from many years of patrons leaning on it. In fact on hot summer days, your beer will slide off due to the condensation.

The food is home made, authentic and delicious. Beer is cheap, and the staff are friendly. There is a restaurant here too so you can bring your family. They have two standing specials on Friday and Saturday. Friday is home made enchiladas, and Saturday is prime rib. Call ahead to make a reservation, or take your chances and see if they have enough prepared to serve you.

The Meadow Creek Gold Course is here too. Its a par3 course. The pro shop is in the back of the bar. Last time I checked, 9 holes was $15.

They host an outstanding 4th of July fireworks show here.

Make a point of stopping in.


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Dickey Lake

Dickey Lake is found along hiway 93 between Whitefish and Eureka. It is a crystal blue body of water.

There is a state campground here with a boat launch, and two public access areas. One is on the north side of the lake with the campground and boat launch, and the other is on the south side.

The north side area has a few picnic tables and a gravel bottom swim area. There are change rooms and bathrooms here. Parking can get a bit congested on summer weekends due to the truck/boat trailers.

The south side is an awesome spot to visit especially if you can get there off weekends. Lots of great day use picnic areas with fire pits and grills for cooking. The water access is gravel bottomed but can be a bit rocky in places.

Both locations are well maintained by the state forest service. The water is cold. I mean really really cold, but on those hot NW Montana afternoons, its exactly what the doctor ordered. Bring some hotdogs and your swim toys for a great afternoon.

The lake itself is large enough for motorized water sports. Skiing, wake boarding, tubing etc. There is also some pretty good fishing both summer and through the ice in the winter.

Enjoy!

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