After a long week with a July 4th holiday, I treated myself to a road trip and hike to the Natural Bridge Falls on the Boulder River south of Big Timber.
While the actual rushing water and gorge and forest were all natural, the trailheads and lookouts have been developed to a Tolkien Elvish pristine. You wonder if Gandalf the wizard or a Hobbit would appear. The paved paths were edged with stacked rocks. A wooden bridge spanned the Boulder to the other side where the dirt path began.
Credit: Travis Lee, TSM
Advertisement
Credit: Travis Lee, TSM
The river itself crashed underneath then falls into the rock. A short way’s farther shows the water cascading into a level basin for less than a hundred yards before the continued falling down the gorge.
The beginning dirt trail is quite gentle and easily traversed by kids. The green foliage can make the track really narrow. The morning air in the sunshine has a warm pine and earth smell, while the shade is appreciably cooler.
There is a Canyon Bottom Access trail to get where the river pours out of the rock, but that is the real challenge. Have a walking stick handy. This switchback trail is much steeper and rockier, and if a little muddy is much trickier. A real strain on the knees. The signs say Do Not Cut Across Switchbacks and they mean it; the slope down is steeper than 45 degrees with rocks at the long bottom. A slip and fall will definitely hurt you.
Credit: Travis Lee, TSMCredit: Travis Lee, TSM
Take your time and pick your way down carefully, and you can get to about 25 yards from the falls safely. The roar of water fills the air.
Advertisement
If you can’t risk the Canyon Access trail, no loss; the overhang lookouts provide all the majesty on gentle paths and stone stairs on top of the gorge ridge.
How to Get to Natural Bridge Falls
Exit the interstate at Big Timber, cruise 1st Street to McLeod which is also Highway 289. Turn south and follow it all the way to the pavement’s end. Do not turn off of the road at all.
289 is a narrow, winding, 2-lane road so slow down and enjoy the drive. You will pass farms and modern homesteads in a sweeping basin of countryside. There are a couple bumpy patches of highway with warning signs, so both hands on the wheel.
Watch for the signs that verify you are on the right road. The Natural Falls trailhead will be to the left just before the pavement end. If you start driving on gravel, you have gone just a bit too far.
Advertisement
It’s a little over an hour and a half to drive there from Billings, but it is a great expedition for the day. Enjoy in the little Adventure.
Credit: Travis Lee, TSMCredit: Travis Lee, TSM
Where’s Waldo Time! Can you spot the rock climber in this picture? Credit: Travis Lee, TSMWhere’s Waldo Time! Can you spot the rock climber in this picture? Credit: Travis Lee, TSM
The Most Magical Places to Visit in Montana
Want to make the most of your Montana vacation? These magical destinations are a must-visit!
Gallery Credit: jessejames
Advertisement
10 Hidden Gem Towns In Montana You Need To See According To AI
We asked Chat GPT “What cities in Montana are considered hidden gems that a first time visitor to the state should make sure to visit” here are the results.
A Montana man with four prior impaired-driving convictions told police he slammed into another vehicle because he was trying to pee into a Budweiser can while behind the wheel, according to a probable cause affidavit.
James Howard, 53, was arrested Nov. 8 after his Chevrolet Suburban plowed into the back of a Volkswagen at an Interstate 90 exit ramp in Missoula, the affidavit, which was posted by the news site The Smoking Gun, states.
“I’m going to jail for a f–king long time,” Howard, who had been driving with a suspended license, told the arresting officer.
James Howard, 53, was arrested by law enforcement officials in Montana on the evening of Nov. 8 in Missoula. weerapat1003 – stock.adobe.com
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Van Kerkove spotted Howard holding a large Budweiser can in his right hand when he arrived at the Grant Creek Town Pump gas station just after 9 p.m. local time on Nov. 8.
Advertisement
Van Kerkove also noticed that Howard had wet his pants and was alleged to have slurred his speech while his breath reeked of alcohol, according to the affidavit.
Both drivers had pulled over to the gas station in Missoula after their crash, which resulted in no injuries, the affidavit read.
Howard then moved the beer can into the center console of his vehicle, according to the document.
When Van Kerkove asked for it, Howard handed it over and said it contained urine, not suds. He told the trooper he’d rear-ended the other car while attempting to relieve himself into the can, the affidavit read.
The Volkswagen’s driver, Scott Drury, told officers he had exited I-90 and stopped at a light on North Reserve Street when he saw headlights approaching rapidly in his rearview mirror.
Advertisement
He “told his girlfriend to brace for impact” before the vehicle was hit, the filing notes.
Van Kerkove reported a “strong smell of alcoholic beverage coming from Howard’s breath,” and that Howard’s speech was “slow and slurred,” according to the affidavit.
Howard was arrested after his Chevrolet Suburban plowed into the back of a Volkswagen at an Interstate 90 exit ramp in Missoula. Stephen Fore – stock.adobe.com
The trooper also noted that “Howard’s pants were wet with urine.”
Howard stated he had consumed one beer. He also said he had “more than a couple of DUIs” and was not supposed to be driving.
Howard did not agree to perform the walk-and-turn or one-legged-stand tests, stating, “I just can’t do it,” according to the filing.
A preliminary alcohol screening test showed Howard had a breath alcohol concentration that was more than three times Montana’s legal limit, it was alleged in the document.
Advertisement
A check of Howard’s criminal record showed one impaired-driving conviction in North Dakota earlier this year as well as three others in Montana in 1994, 1995 and 2007.
Howard was arrested on charges of aggravated DUI, driving while his license was suspended or revoked and careless driving, according to the affidavit and charging information.
The Post has sought comment from Howard and Drury.
MISSOULA, Mont. — Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services is asking for the public’s help locating 15-year-old James Patterson, who has been missing since Nov. 2.
Patterson is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall and 220 pounds. He has black hair and black eyes. He was last seen wearing a black sweater, blue jeans and a black baseball cap. His family and friends have had no contact with him since Nov. 2.
Anyone with information on Patterson’s whereabouts is urged to call Blackfeet Law Enforcement at 406-338-4000 or contact their local police department.
