Holland Lake, Montana

From Yellowstone we drive north into Montana where the scenery changes into lush green meadows dotted with ranches, snowcapped mountains in the distance on all sides.

We find a tiny, deserted campsite at Missouri Head Waters Park and read up on Lewis & Clark, the American explorers and cartologists who led an 8,000 mile expedition by boat and land, commissioned by Thomas Jeffersoin 1803 to explore new territory to the west. The expedition lasted for 3 years, and Lewis was accompanied by his beloved Newfoundland called Seaman. They had also stayed in our campsite!

In the morning we’re up and off early, again going due north on dead straight forest and lake lined roads and after stopping to buy a bundle of camp wood, find our campsite at Holland Lake. It’s absolutely beautiful, and again the campsite is empty and picturesque on the shores of the lake.

We take the trail to the Lower Falls, a 4 mile hike on an undulating path, sometimes very rocky and screedy. It is a botanical wonderland, with many wild species of the plants we’re used to back home, including lupins, clematis, harebells, speedwell, elderflower and wild strawberries.

The views along the lake are spectacular, and through the pines towards the water’s edge we spot a Loon, a rare and protected waterfowl with only 60 breeding pairs in Montana, so this is a fantastic sighting. It’s very beautiful, and sits extremely still on its nest. We also see a beaver’s lodge, but no sign of any beavers despite spending some time watching it.

We continue up to the falls where a very cheeky chipmunk joins us while we have our tea. The falls are tall and fast, starting way above us, thundering past our spot and down into the lake below.

On the way back we spot lots of robins, and a squirrel, and and are investigated at close quarters by a tiny bright crimson humming bird who is moving too fast to capture on film.

On our return we set the fire in the pit, and cook teriyaki salmon over the grill which is delicious.