A Weekend in Augusta, MT

This weekend, I drove up to Augusta, Montana on the Rocky Mountain Front. Leaving Bozeman, I drove NW to Helena (the State Capital) and had a delicious lunch at Ernie's Bistro in the Downtown Historic District. As I left, driving north towards Great Falls, about 5 minutes out of town, I felt my shoulders relax. Now becomes the favorite part of my trip; the development ends and the landscape becomes very large ranches and public land all filled with wildlife. You drive along spring creeks, which flow into the Missouri River with great fly fishing around Craig, and through canyons with Bighorn Sheep grazing on the rock walls. Just north of Wolf Creek you take the State Highway and head west. Passing through the famous Dearborn Ranch bordering the state highway for over 14 miles, and crossing the Dearborn River, used by fishermen and rafters.

As you approach the small town of Augusta, about 40 miles from the interstate you catch glimpses of the mountains of odd shapes: Haystack, Sawtooth, Castle Reef and Ear Mountain to the North near Glacier National Park. The mountains seen from Augusta are in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex encompassing 1.5 million acres, the 3rd largest wilderness complex in the U.S. Link to additional information on the complex: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/wilderness/bmwcomplex.shtml

The small town of Augusta is primarily a ranching and outfitters' town. With services for the area: bars, restaurants and lodging, and a charming store called Latigo and Lace, the town feels a lot like the 1950's and is famous for the great "Augusta Rodeo" held the last weekend in June.

I drove 3.5 miles west of town toward the Wilderness where I own a small ranch that I have just put on the market, "Augusta Wildlands", a spectacular piece of Montana real estate. Link to listing: http://www.thecollectionsir.com/property/augusta-wildlands/ . The 284 acre ranch faces the mountains about 5 miles to the west, and to the north adjoins a section of State Land, used for cattle grazing by the neighboring rancher. The ranch to the east is on the plains, the T Bar Ranch running Red Angus cattle and owning land all the way back to town. The property adjoining mine to the south is a very special house, the old Augusta Railroad Station that was moved out to the 33 acres and restored. It is called "Ringside" and has been published in the Big Sky Journal, Home, and Montana Magazine. It has a wonderful horse set up: a large round pen, stalls, a barn and office all made out of old buildings. It seems to make the mountains even more spectacular with the old barn and round pen in the foreground.

The area is a recreation paradise. The Sun River Game Range is 5 miles to the west, land purchased by the State of Montana for Elk calving and Grizzly Bear habitat. It adjoins the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Willow Creek Reservoir is 2 miles north; great for boating and fishing. Sun Canyon leading to the Wilderness is just 4 miles NW; great for fishing, hiking, horseback riding and hunting.

I have learned after spending time here for 9 years that being close to the Wilderness and over 40 miles away from an Interstate Highway has the most relaxing effect on a person. You suddenly feel muscles relaxing, your mind quieting and just enjoying the peace and quiet. In the Fall I have been walking around the land at dusk and the only sound there is, is the Snow Geese wings flapping as they head to the Willow Creek Reservoir for the night. In the Spring, many birds are nesting or flying through to Canada: Curlews, Artic Terns and Hawks. I feel very fortunate to have experienced this special part of Montana, and learned to feel what Wilderness does to you.

Vivian Bridaham
Broker-Owner
The Collection Sotheby's International Realty