Pintler Scenic Byway - Anaconda, Anaconda, Montana

So, I camped off the dirt road going to the Glacier Lake Trailhead for few nights while I hiked in Flathead National Forest. I had little shade, but great cell service which was a pleasant surprise in the wilderness. A car coming down from the Glacier Lake Trail stopped to warn me that a bear just ran by VANgo! Ugh, I’m so sad I missed it!! Annie growled at something, but I did not see a thing. It’s amazing how quiet they can be.

Anyway, from Condon, I took the scenic route to Butte in Southwestern Montana. I passed by Seeley Lake which I visited on my road trip across the USA 11 years ago and then dropped down into Drummond where I picked up the Pintler Scenic Byway.

On the way, I almost detoured to Garnet Ghost Town, the most well-preserved ghost town in Montana. As many of my readers know, I love old ghost towns, but Garnet was just a bit out of the way even though I was coming from the right direction, Montana Route 200.

What I mean by the right direction is, Montana Route 200 to the north is the best access road for Garnet Ghost Town. The entrance from I-90 and the south is not recommended for RV’s and trailers. While VANgo likely could have made it from both directions, I wasn’t up for any white knuckle driving and Google maps had me taking the south exit to Drummond afterward.  ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).