July 7th, 11:40 AM
odometer start: 2948.1
now: ~2970

I spent the extra day in Missoula not so much because of the 30% chance of rain, but more so because it was raining that morning. Yesterday had a 60% chance but I decided that I really should take off and left a bit later than I expected around 1100. No rain at all until I got to Deer Lodge, and then only sprinkles to Warm Springs which was around 1950. Warm Springs has a single building facing the road which is a combination motel, gas station, restaurant and corner grocery and decided to stay there for the night since I saw some rain clouds I knew I'd have trouble avoiding.

From Missoula to Warm Springs, the road was a very consistent slight uphill but not enough to worry about so I was able to do just over 100 miles. From Warm Springs to Butte sort of the same except for some rolling hills near Butte. I think Butte is about 5200 - 5300 ft, while Missoula was 3200, so I've come quite a ways up, too. From here, it's only a few miles to the Homestake Pass at 6,375 ft. 35 miles downhill is US 287 which I'll follow south all the way to Yellowstone, which I'll reach tomorrow.

Roadsigns say there's a free museum of minerology so I'll see if I can hunt that up. Sounds like it might even be worthwhile. Better go - this Cafe seems to be one of the few open on Sunday and is quite full.

Photo notes

• 2: This appears show a couple of geologic faults. First, a fault formed across the center of the scene and movement exposed the fault. Later, the surface beyond the fault cracked and movement exposed it.

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Written 2024 June 19, last updated 2024 June 30.