Lake Fork in snow

I went for a walk today up the Lake Fork. There are 3 main draws in the mountains near Red Lodge. The West Fork for Rock Creek, the Lake Fork of Rock Creek, and the Main Fork of Rock Creek. We've gotten some snow in recent days. There was probably 3 inches on the ground. I felt like going for a walk and taking some pictures of the snow and its hard to find a prettier area than the Lake Fork. 

Looks like more snow for the week, though no major storms. Work is going well. We've been selling Christmas Tree permits the last few weeks. For $5, people can come into the forest and cut their own tree. It's a nice thing and it's pretty popular. We've sold over 800 permits in a few weeks. 

I'll be moving across the hall this coming week. A neighbor moved out and their apt is bigger than mine, but with the same rent. Plus, I'll be off the street and above the book store. There is a doggy daycare moving in under my current apartment, so the timing is good. The woman assured me that I wouldn't hear a thing, but I don't think she realizes how thin these walls and floors really are. So I'm hoping it will be quieter. 

Other than that, life as usual. Hope you enjoy the pictures. 

More from R.L.

I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd write and give you an update. Things here are good. I'm settling in to work and life. Fall has come and gone and winter is now here. The ski resort here in town is open, and while there isn't a ton of snow, it hasn't stopped the people from turning out. 1,000 people showed up on opening day (2,500 people in in town). Here are a few pics of the last month or so.

Fall colors up the Glacier Lake Rd. 

Greenough Lake

Rock Creek, as it rolls through town.

My apartment is above the red store front (on the left). 

It has snowed several times this winter already, but each time it has warmed up and melted. It snowed again two days ago and we got probably 6 inches of fresh powder on the ground. But again, most of that has melted and turned to ice. 

The backside of my apartment from the West Bench. Red Lodge actually sits down in a little valley, which shields it from the wind. 

Mt. Maurice, from the West Bench

Various shots of town. 

That's it for now. I haven't taken many photographs lately. But I'll do what I can to get some soon.

As you know, I've been in Montana for a month. I thought I'd make a quick post and show you some pictures of the area I'm in. The drive out was long. It took 3 full days to get to Cody, WY. This is only 1 hour 15 minutes from Red Lodge, so on day 4, I made it to town. On the way out, I stopped at Chimney Rock (above), Scott's Bluff, and Fort Laramie. 

(Scotts Bluff National Monument- where the Oregon Trail went)

I found an apartment over a bookstore on the main street in town. It's a good size for me and it will at least get me through the winter. It's fun being on the main street, but it can be a bit noisy too, as there are bars below on the street, and harley's often drive up and down the street.

Below: view out my window. The historic Pollard Hotel

Outside town, there is the Beartooth Highway. It is considered one of the prettiest, roads in America. It travels from Red Lodge, MT to Cooke City, WY (the northeast entrance to Yellowstone). The road tops off at nearly 11,000ft.

Below: Beartooth Butte over Beartooth Lake

The thing I love about the mountains here is that you don't just go up and over the mountains. The mountains plateau on top and you drive for 30 minutes or more before you go down. There are high alpine lakes up top, and great views. 

My first weekend after I started my job, I hiked up to Quinnebaugh Meadows (below). The weather wasn't the best, so I'll have to go back when it doesn't rain on me. But it's a pretty area. 

The trail follows the west fork of Rock Creek and has two waterfalls as you walk up.

A moose I saw on the walk up (cow). I didn't stop to get a good shot, as moose can be rather mean. So I just kept walking and snapped it, so its not the best. 

Last weekend, I drove up on Beartooth Hwy again. (Beartooth Lake, below)

A mountain goat ran out in front of my car. I pulled over, then followed him up and over a knob, where there were 7 other goats. I got a nice video of the males pushing each other and butting heads. 

The next day, I hiked up onto the Silver Run Plateau. The trail up was brutal- 5 miles straight up and then 5 miles back, straight down. But it was worth the views. At the picture below, I'm at 9,500ft. The knob in the distance is over 10,000 ft.

That's it for now. The colors are changing nice and I snapped some nice pictures today, but I don't have them on my computer yet. It's supposed to turn cold here this coming week, so maybe we'll get some snow (at least in the mountains). 

Sorry it took so long to get a post in. I still don't have internet at home. But I'll try to keep up to date with the blog.