358 



RECREATION. 



ous, but not so large as in the river. 

 You will frequently be awakened here 

 by the whistle of some frightened buck 

 that has come down to investigate your 

 camp. 



When you have exhausted 

 the attractions of this camp, 

 move across the creek, taking 

 the centre of three trails that 

 leave that point — and a very 

 dim one it is, too — toil up the 

 mountain side, and after a 

 three hours' climb you can look 

 back into the valley or basin 

 you camped in and see it as 

 one vast panorama ; every lake 

 being plainly visible, and the 

 head waters of the Thompson 

 river and Fisher creek look- 

 ing like silver threads among 

 the dark green foliage. But 

 tarry not too long, for you have 

 a hard ride and a rough one 

 before you reach Fisher creek 

 again late in the evening 



In the morning you will 

 want to fish the large pool, 

 just where the trail comes 

 out of the canyon to the creek, 

 for here it has increased to 

 a noble stream A day may be 

 spent here most delightfully, with camera, 

 rod or gun. Then a half day's ride down 

 the creek to the slide, and deer licks, and 

 across the creek, where you will camp 

 again. Here are innumerable deer or salt 

 licks, and any afternoon you can, with 

 a little patience and caution, get several 

 views of deer and occasionally of an 

 elk. Across the creek, on the high 



from experience, and deer were shot 

 from the tent door, as they stood gazing 

 at the strange intruders on their domain. 

 You will stay a week or two here. 



ON GUARD. 



range, are numerous goats, and if you 

 are fond of hard climbing you can get 

 one or a pair of them. Bear are almost 

 too plentiful for comfort, as we found 



ON THE TRAIL. 



Then one day's ride brings you to 

 Wolf creek, a town of considerable 

 size. If content with your experience 

 you can sell your outfit here and return 

 to civilization, or you can turn east to 

 the Kootenai river, go up the right 

 bank, four days' travel to Grave river 

 and Tobacco plains, where you can get 

 a trail leading back to Flat Head lake, 

 through a country alive with game and 

 fish. Over all this route are old Indian 

 trails that can be followed with a little 

 care. There are Indian-painted rocks 

 and curious chalk formations, like spires 

 of some huge cathedral. 



The Kootenai river is a noble stream. 

 And if you were to continue your course 

 to its head waters, as we did, you would 

 find it all very interesting Some day I 

 hope to again explore that country more 

 fully. Don't attempt this trip before 

 the 15th of June, or you will find high 

 water, no fishing and spring rains pre- 

 dominating. After that date everything 

 is lovely and the grass is knee high. 



