Calgary

Calgary is an attractive and dynamic city situated on the banks of the Bow River and close to Alberta’s majestic Rocky Mountains. The City is young and modern, having recreated itself from regional town to major Canadian city over the past 25 years.

The downtown core is a mass of modern steel and glass high-rises built during the oil boom of the 70’s and 80’s. Crisscrossing downtown is the ‘Plus 15’ walking system – a series of interconnecting, enclosed sidewalks, which are at least 5m above ground. In total there are 47 bridges and 12km of public walkway that link downtown stores, four malls and office buildings to protect pedestrians from the weather.

Well worth a visit is the Calgary Tower. This building is a landmark and symbol of the city. The 191 metre tower houses a revolving restaurant, an observation gallery and at the top a cocktail lounge. These offer spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, Olympic Park and the Saddledome as well as the city itself. Eau Claire Market is a colourful indoor market filled with stalls and speciality shops and restaurants.

The Calgary Stampede, held in July, is undoubtedly Calgary’s best known visitor attraction and features a large parade and a world class rodeo. Hotel and event bookings at this time are essential.

Whitefish & Glacier National Park

283

Get ready for some of the most spectacular scenery on earth today, as you head for Glacier National Park. Known to Native Americans as the "Shining Mountains" and the "Backbone of the World", Glacier National Park encompasses more than a million acres of forests, alpine meadows, lakes, rugged peaks and glacial-carved valleys in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice ages of 10,000 years ago. The result of millennia of geological action is some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. This diverse landscape is home to more than 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx, over 260 species of birds, including golden eagles, and an incredible variety of plant life. An absolute must while you’re here is the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, truly the scenic drive of a lifetime.

With two days here, you may choose to spend one day exploring nearby attractions. Just over the Canadian border (remember your passport!) is Glacier’s sister park, Waterton Lakes National Park and the site of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The first park of its kind in the world, the Peace Park symbolizes the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park. To the west of Glacier National Park is the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, home of the Museum of the Plains Indian. Take the 70-mile self-drive tour of Blackfeet Country, following 15 historical “Blackfeet Trail Tour” markers across the prairie, and you’ll understand why the Blackfeet felt so at home under this big sky. The Museum’s permanent exhibition illustrates the diversity of historic, social and ceremonial arts created by the tribal peoples of the Northern Plains.

Missoula

136

Surrounded by the Lolo National Forest, Missoula, Montana is known as the “Garden City” for its lush forests and abundant fresh water.

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness, less than five miles from the city, offers endless mountain trails and bike paths on 61,000 acres of glaciated topography. Whether you want a walk in the woods or an intense mountain bike ride, you’ll find high mountain lakes, crystal clear waterfalls, hanging valleys, and slopes of sub-alpine fir, pine and spruce leading to open parklands. Be on the lookout for deer, elk, coyotes, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black bears, grizzly bears (rare!), moose, and mountain lions, as well as eagles, hawks, ospreys, and a variety of songbirds. In the park’s northern region, the Flathead Indian Reservation protects sacred lands that were once vision-quest sites for the Salish Indians, so be sure not to trespass.

Before the arrival of European settlers, Western Montana was home to the Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and Kootenai tribes. Lewis and Clark passed through the Missoula Valley in 1805, but Europeans did not settle here until 1860 when entrepreneurs C.P. Higgins and Francis Worden opened a trading market called the Hellgate Village (now Wordens Market on Higgins Street). The name hellgate originated with French trappers who found carnage from warfare between the Blackfeet and Flathead tribes in the canyon on the east edge of town. Following on the success of Hellgate Village, a flour mill, sawmill, the gold rush and better roads brought people to Missoula, named for the Salish Indian name for the area, Nemissoolatakoo, or “near the cold, chilling waters.” By 1866 it was the county seat, in 1871 the first newspaper was published, and in 1883 the Northern Pacific Railroad reached Missoula.

Learn about all these developments and more on an historic walking tour and at the city’s excellent heritage museums.

Coeur D'Alene

165

Coeur d’Alene is the hub of the Panhandle region of northern Idaho. It is a fun resort town that offers visitors a multitude of activities to enjoy including golf, hiking, biking and water-skiing. Spend some time on the 3,000 ft lakefront boardwalk people watching, or get out on the lake for some water based activities. Take an evening stroll through Tubbs Hill, a beautiful 120-acre wood that offers panoramic views and is a great spot for a sunset. City Beach and City Park are the places to hang out and watch people skating, swimming and playing Frisbee.

Lewiston

116

A city steeped in history, Lewiston traces its beginnings to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1805, the famed explorer team came to the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake rivers, now the site of twin cities Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkson, Washington. Pick any weekend of the year for your stay: Lewiston has a uniquely dry, temperate climate, ideal for year-round recreational activities. Whitewater rafting, kayaking, swimming, fishing, tubing, canoeing and jet boating opportunities are plentiful - and that's only the water sports. Landlubbers can golf, camp, hike, jog and bicycle. For the truly adventurous, a trip to Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America, is a must. Those who venture into the gorge, via raft or jet boat, will discover 2,500-year-old Native American carvings on the canyon walls. Try your hand at indoor risk with a visit to the Clearwater River Casino. Whether braving the rapids or browsing through pioneer artifacts in the city's museums, you're sure to get a taste of the indomitable spirit of the early American settlers.

Boise

267

Nature is a big part of Boise, Idaho. The snow-capped Rocky Mountains serve as a backdrop, the Boise River and its riverfront paths wind through the city and skiing is a short drive away. Boise's varied museums include the Idaho History Museum, the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center and the interactive Discovery Museum of Idaho. Unique attractions include Old Idaho Penitentiary and historic Pioneer Village. Old Boise also offers good shopping, dining, culture and nightlife.

Idaho Falls

280

Enjoy the 14 mile Snake River Greenbelt, as it ambles by the roaring falls, the serene LDS Temple and the numerous waterfowl that reside along the river.

There are 39 different parks dotted throughout the city, and it is also home to the Idaho Vietnam Memorial. 4 miles north is Bear World, a wildlife park where you can see Black Bears, Grizzlies, Elk, Reindeer, Fallow Deer and many other animals in their natural habitat.

Jackson Hole

88

Talk about spectacular! As you drive along Teton Park Road, it becomes immediately obvious why Grand Teton is a National Park. The Tetons are a 40-mile long mountain range that rises straight out of the plain. Twelve of the mountain peaks are over 12,000 feet above sea level and Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet. Even around Jenny Lake, one of the most pristine lakes in North America, they loom overhead.

A wonderful way to see the Park is by traveling its three Scenic Drives: the Teton Park Road that follows the base of the Teton Range from Moose to Jackson Lake Junction, dramatic Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, and Signal Mountain Summit Road, from which you’ll have panoramic views of the Teton Range, Jackson Lake and the Jackson Hole valley. Treat yourselves to a Wildlife Expedition with the Teton Science School. One of their all-day adventures, daybreak trips or evening tours will take you into the otherwise inaccessible back country of Grand Teton National Park, where you can expect to see (and photograph) wildlife that you would not normally encounter.

Yellowstone National Park

97

Established in 1872 as America’s first national park, Yellowstone is located in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and contains natural wonders that must be seen to be believed. In addition to Old Faithful, many of the world’s most incredible geysers and hot springs are located within Yellowstone National Park. Each area of the park has its own unique features. The bubbling, boiling surface of Mammoth Hot Springs appears to be covered with white chalk. Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest and most dynamic of Yellowstone’s thermal areas, with few of its features under the boiling point. The hottest recorded temperature here was 459F, just a little over 1,000 feet below the surface. See the world’s tallest geyser at Steamboat Geyser.

In the Madison Natural Area, thermal action bubbles up in many colors. A one-mile trail takes you through the colorful hot springs and the two large mud pots of the Artist Paint Pots just south of Norris Junction. The Old Faithful Area is actually made up of four different geyser basins surrounding the famous geyser, where 60% of the world’s geysers share a small space. There are nearly 150 of these thermal wonders within one square mile of Old Faithful.

The Grant Village Area and the Lake Area are both adjacent to Yellowstone Lake, the largest high elevation lake in North America. The bottom of Yellowstone Lake has the same terrain as Yellowstone Park, namely geysers, hot springs. A hot spot at Mary Bay got high as 252F.

Formed by erosion rather than glaciation, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River features as an awe-inspiring attraction in Native American lore, pioneer travel accounts, and in early tourist descriptions. Three main falls can be viewed from locations along the Canyon such as Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Area, Red Rock Point, Artists Point, and Brink of the Lower Trails Falls. Some falls along the river are 300 feet high. The park’s visitor centers provide excellent information and exhibits to put your experiences into perspective.

Butte

177

As delightful as it is today, Butte began as nothing more than a bunch of mining camps back in the early 1870’s. Then, silver and copper were discovered. This discovery began to bring in a flood of new companies and new people to Butte. By the late 1870’s, a large and bustling city center had emerged – and was growing larger literally by the day. Then, as fate would have it, a fire in 1879 burned down the entire central business district. Following this disaster, the Butte city council passed a law that required all new buildings downtown (known as "uptown Butte") to be built from brick or stone – most of which still stand today and make Butte the historic and unique city it is.

While silver and gold were actively mined in Butte, it was copper that truly put the town on the map. Following the development of electricity, the demand for copper mushroomed. The demand continued to increase and spiked during World War I, when copper was used in every single rifle bullet (much of which came from Butte). Indeed, it is estimated that Butte supplied around 1/3 of the copper for the United States in the late 1800’s and the early part of the 1900’s. The most interesting and entertaining way to see the town is to take a narrated tour on the Trolley. You’ll see where miner, scoundrels and famous characters lived, and worked, and made Butte the lively urban center it was.

Helena

68

A short drive today will bring you to Montana's delightful capital city, Helena, home to one of the richest gold strikes - Last Chance Gulch. History has left Helena with a wealth of monuments and architecture. Take a trip on the Last Chance tour train for a quick drive by of Helena's historic areas and enjoy a leisure afternoon enjoying the town and surrounding area.

Great Falls

90

You’ll enter historic territory today as you travel the Kings Hill Scenic Byway through the Lewis and Clark National Forest to Great Falls, Montana. The Byway traverses the Little Belt Mountains in the Rocky Mountain foothills, where rugged mountain views, pristine lakes and streams, forests of pine and fir, mountain meadows and abundant wildlife are your constant companions. Much of the landscape crossed by Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery more than two hundred years ago remains unchanged, from river canyons to outstretched plains to magnificent waterfalls. Mountains and buttes surround Great Falls on three sides, while vast plains greet her from the north. The area around Great Falls was hugely significant to the expedition, as it was here that the explorers spent nearly a month portaging around the formidable “great falls” of the Missouri River. As you explore Great Falls, you’ll find the history of the Old West come to life, from the early Plains Indians, to the explorers, entrepreneurs, cowboys and homesteaders who made the area their home. Follow the route of Lewis and Clark on a Great Falls Historic Trolley tour

On June 13, 1805, Meriwether Lewis proclaimed the Great Falls “the grandest sight I had ever beheld.” In addition to Great Falls, Black Eagle, Rainbow and Crooked Falls, located around the city, each provide their own extraordinary beauty. You can take in the same view that awed the Corps of Discovery from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center on the bluffs above the river. Through hands-on exhibits, displays, interactive presentations, and hiking trails, the Interpretive Center illustrates the “importance of Central Montana to the Corps’ mission and its place in history along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.” To fully understand the history and significance of the area, visit the Ulm Pishkun State Park, one of the longest and most-used Northern Plains Indian buffalo jump sites in the country, and The History Museum, which highlights the individuals and groups who have contributed to the diversity of the region. Visit Giant Springs Heritage State Park, where one of the world’s largest natural cold water springs flows into the world’s shortest river, and Rivers Edge Trail, where you can walk, run or bike beside the mighty Missouri River. Compare the incredible scenery outdoors with the great works of art inside at the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art and the C.M. Russell Museum Complex.

Explore the historic district of Great Falls, now on the National Register of Historic Places, on a self-guided walking tour that features 216 buildings constructed between 1885 and 1945.

Lethbridge, Alberta

186

Back in Alberta, Lethbridge had its beginnings with the notorious whisky trade. Fort Whoop-Up, which was located along the Oldman River , was an American trading outpost operating from 1869 to 1874 when the North-West Mounted Police arrived on the scene. A replica of the Fort can now be found in Indian Battle Park located in the river valley.

This park is the site of the last great Indian Battle in North America , which was between the Cree and Blackfoot people. The Blackfoot were victorious in the battle, and in the following year peace was made between the tribes.

In 1869, Nicholas Sheran discovered coal deposits near the original site of Fort Whoop-Up. In 1874 he started to quarry coal and later opened a mine just north of what is now Whoop-Up Drive . In 1882 Sir Alexander Galt and William Stafford began to develop coal mines as well, and began an industry that continued operation in the city until 1957.

The city continued to expand with the development of the agricultural service sector, and has grown from a small coal-mining town to an active population of over 80,000 people. Lethbridge is home to a college and university, as well as numerous industries and businesses, and is ranked one of the ten best places in North America to do business.

Calgary

138

Today you will continue on to Calgary where you will drop off your hire car and fly home.

Calgary

Calgary is an attractive and dynamic city situated on the banks of the Bow River and close to Alberta’s majestic Rocky Mountains. The City is young and modern, having recreated itself from regional town to major Canadian city over the past 25 years.

The downtown core is a mass of modern steel and glass high-rises built during the oil boom of the 70’s and 80’s. Crisscrossing downtown is the ‘Plus 15’ walking system – a series of interconnecting, enclosed sidewalks, which are at least 5m above ground. In total there are 47 bridges and 12km of public walkway that link downtown stores, four malls and office buildings to protect pedestrians from the weather.

Well worth a visit is the Calgary Tower. This building is a landmark and symbol of the city. The 191 metre tower houses a revolving restaurant, an observation gallery and at the top a cocktail lounge. These offer spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, Olympic Park and the Saddledome as well as the city itself. Eau Claire Market is a colourful indoor market filled with stalls and speciality shops and restaurants.

The Calgary Stampede, held in July, is undoubtedly Calgary’s best known visitor attraction and features a large parade and a world class rodeo. Hotel and event bookings at this time are essential.

Whitefish & Glacier National Park

283

Get ready for some of the most spectacular scenery on earth today, as you head for Glacier National Park. Known to Native Americans as the "Shining Mountains" and the "Backbone of the World", Glacier National Park encompasses more than a million acres of forests, alpine meadows, lakes, rugged peaks and glacial-carved valleys in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice ages of 10,000 years ago. The result of millennia of geological action is some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. This diverse landscape is home to more than 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx, over 260 species of birds, including golden eagles, and an incredible variety of plant life. An absolute must while you’re here is the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, truly the scenic drive of a lifetime.

With two days here, you may choose to spend one day exploring nearby attractions. Just over the Canadian border (remember your passport!) is Glacier’s sister park, Waterton Lakes National Park and the site of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The first park of its kind in the world, the Peace Park symbolizes the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park. To the west of Glacier National Park is the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, home of the Museum of the Plains Indian. Take the 70-mile self-drive tour of Blackfeet Country, following 15 historical “Blackfeet Trail Tour” markers across the prairie, and you’ll understand why the Blackfeet felt so at home under this big sky. The Museum’s permanent exhibition illustrates the diversity of historic, social and ceremonial arts created by the tribal peoples of the Northern Plains.

Missoula

136

Surrounded by the Lolo National Forest, Missoula, Montana is known as the “Garden City” for its lush forests and abundant fresh water.

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness, less than five miles from the city, offers endless mountain trails and bike paths on 61,000 acres of glaciated topography. Whether you want a walk in the woods or an intense mountain bike ride, you’ll find high mountain lakes, crystal clear waterfalls, hanging valleys, and slopes of sub-alpine fir, pine and spruce leading to open parklands. Be on the lookout for deer, elk, coyotes, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black bears, grizzly bears (rare!), moose, and mountain lions, as well as eagles, hawks, ospreys, and a variety of songbirds. In the park’s northern region, the Flathead Indian Reservation protects sacred lands that were once vision-quest sites for the Salish Indians, so be sure not to trespass.

Before the arrival of European settlers, Western Montana was home to the Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and Kootenai tribes. Lewis and Clark passed through the Missoula Valley in 1805, but Europeans did not settle here until 1860 when entrepreneurs C.P. Higgins and Francis Worden opened a trading market called the Hellgate Village (now Wordens Market on Higgins Street). The name hellgate originated with French trappers who found carnage from warfare between the Blackfeet and Flathead tribes in the canyon on the east edge of town. Following on the success of Hellgate Village, a flour mill, sawmill, the gold rush and better roads brought people to Missoula, named for the Salish Indian name for the area, Nemissoolatakoo, or “near the cold, chilling waters.” By 1866 it was the county seat, in 1871 the first newspaper was published, and in 1883 the Northern Pacific Railroad reached Missoula.

Learn about all these developments and more on an historic walking tour and at the city’s excellent heritage museums.

Coeur D'Alene

165

Coeur d’Alene is the hub of the Panhandle region of northern Idaho. It is a fun resort town that offers visitors a multitude of activities to enjoy including golf, hiking, biking and water-skiing. Spend some time on the 3,000 ft lakefront boardwalk people watching, or get out on the lake for some water based activities. Take an evening stroll through Tubbs Hill, a beautiful 120-acre wood that offers panoramic views and is a great spot for a sunset. City Beach and City Park are the places to hang out and watch people skating, swimming and playing Frisbee.

Lewiston

116

A city steeped in history, Lewiston traces its beginnings to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1805, the famed explorer team came to the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake rivers, now the site of twin cities Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkson, Washington. Pick any weekend of the year for your stay: Lewiston has a uniquely dry, temperate climate, ideal for year-round recreational activities. Whitewater rafting, kayaking, swimming, fishing, tubing, canoeing and jet boating opportunities are plentiful - and that's only the water sports. Landlubbers can golf, camp, hike, jog and bicycle. For the truly adventurous, a trip to Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America, is a must. Those who venture into the gorge, via raft or jet boat, will discover 2,500-year-old Native American carvings on the canyon walls. Try your hand at indoor risk with a visit to the Clearwater River Casino. Whether braving the rapids or browsing through pioneer artifacts in the city's museums, you're sure to get a taste of the indomitable spirit of the early American settlers.

Boise

267

Nature is a big part of Boise, Idaho. The snow-capped Rocky Mountains serve as a backdrop, the Boise River and its riverfront paths wind through the city and skiing is a short drive away. Boise's varied museums include the Idaho History Museum, the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center and the interactive Discovery Museum of Idaho. Unique attractions include Old Idaho Penitentiary and historic Pioneer Village. Old Boise also offers good shopping, dining, culture and nightlife.

Idaho Falls

280

Enjoy the 14 mile Snake River Greenbelt, as it ambles by the roaring falls, the serene LDS Temple and the numerous waterfowl that reside along the river.

There are 39 different parks dotted throughout the city, and it is also home to the Idaho Vietnam Memorial. 4 miles north is Bear World, a wildlife park where you can see Black Bears, Grizzlies, Elk, Reindeer, Fallow Deer and many other animals in their natural habitat.

Jackson Hole

88

Talk about spectacular! As you drive along Teton Park Road, it becomes immediately obvious why Grand Teton is a National Park. The Tetons are a 40-mile long mountain range that rises straight out of the plain. Twelve of the mountain peaks are over 12,000 feet above sea level and Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet. Even around Jenny Lake, one of the most pristine lakes in North America, they loom overhead.

A wonderful way to see the Park is by traveling its three Scenic Drives: the Teton Park Road that follows the base of the Teton Range from Moose to Jackson Lake Junction, dramatic Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, and Signal Mountain Summit Road, from which you’ll have panoramic views of the Teton Range, Jackson Lake and the Jackson Hole valley. Treat yourselves to a Wildlife Expedition with the Teton Science School. One of their all-day adventures, daybreak trips or evening tours will take you into the otherwise inaccessible back country of Grand Teton National Park, where you can expect to see (and photograph) wildlife that you would not normally encounter.

Yellowstone National Park

97

Established in 1872 as America’s first national park, Yellowstone is located in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and contains natural wonders that must be seen to be believed. In addition to Old Faithful, many of the world’s most incredible geysers and hot springs are located within Yellowstone National Park. Each area of the park has its own unique features. The bubbling, boiling surface of Mammoth Hot Springs appears to be covered with white chalk. Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest and most dynamic of Yellowstone’s thermal areas, with few of its features under the boiling point. The hottest recorded temperature here was 459F, just a little over 1,000 feet below the surface. See the world’s tallest geyser at Steamboat Geyser.

In the Madison Natural Area, thermal action bubbles up in many colors. A one-mile trail takes you through the colorful hot springs and the two large mud pots of the Artist Paint Pots just south of Norris Junction. The Old Faithful Area is actually made up of four different geyser basins surrounding the famous geyser, where 60% of the world’s geysers share a small space. There are nearly 150 of these thermal wonders within one square mile of Old Faithful.

The Grant Village Area and the Lake Area are both adjacent to Yellowstone Lake, the largest high elevation lake in North America. The bottom of Yellowstone Lake has the same terrain as Yellowstone Park, namely geysers, hot springs. A hot spot at Mary Bay got high as 252F.

Formed by erosion rather than glaciation, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River features as an awe-inspiring attraction in Native American lore, pioneer travel accounts, and in early tourist descriptions. Three main falls can be viewed from locations along the Canyon such as Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Area, Red Rock Point, Artists Point, and Brink of the Lower Trails Falls. Some falls along the river are 300 feet high. The park’s visitor centers provide excellent information and exhibits to put your experiences into perspective.

Butte

177

As delightful as it is today, Butte began as nothing more than a bunch of mining camps back in the early 1870’s. Then, silver and copper were discovered. This discovery began to bring in a flood of new companies and new people to Butte. By the late 1870’s, a large and bustling city center had emerged – and was growing larger literally by the day. Then, as fate would have it, a fire in 1879 burned down the entire central business district. Following this disaster, the Butte city council passed a law that required all new buildings downtown (known as "uptown Butte") to be built from brick or stone – most of which still stand today and make Butte the historic and unique city it is.

While silver and gold were actively mined in Butte, it was copper that truly put the town on the map. Following the development of electricity, the demand for copper mushroomed. The demand continued to increase and spiked during World War I, when copper was used in every single rifle bullet (much of which came from Butte). Indeed, it is estimated that Butte supplied around 1/3 of the copper for the United States in the late 1800’s and the early part of the 1900’s. The most interesting and entertaining way to see the town is to take a narrated tour on the Trolley. You’ll see where miner, scoundrels and famous characters lived, and worked, and made Butte the lively urban center it was.

Helena

68

A short drive today will bring you to Montana's delightful capital city, Helena, home to one of the richest gold strikes - Last Chance Gulch. History has left Helena with a wealth of monuments and architecture. Take a trip on the Last Chance tour train for a quick drive by of Helena's historic areas and enjoy a leisure afternoon enjoying the town and surrounding area.

Great Falls

90

You’ll enter historic territory today as you travel the Kings Hill Scenic Byway through the Lewis and Clark National Forest to Great Falls, Montana. The Byway traverses the Little Belt Mountains in the Rocky Mountain foothills, where rugged mountain views, pristine lakes and streams, forests of pine and fir, mountain meadows and abundant wildlife are your constant companions. Much of the landscape crossed by Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery more than two hundred years ago remains unchanged, from river canyons to outstretched plains to magnificent waterfalls. Mountains and buttes surround Great Falls on three sides, while vast plains greet her from the north. The area around Great Falls was hugely significant to the expedition, as it was here that the explorers spent nearly a month portaging around the formidable “great falls” of the Missouri River. As you explore Great Falls, you’ll find the history of the Old West come to life, from the early Plains Indians, to the explorers, entrepreneurs, cowboys and homesteaders who made the area their home. Follow the route of Lewis and Clark on a Great Falls Historic Trolley tour

On June 13, 1805, Meriwether Lewis proclaimed the Great Falls “the grandest sight I had ever beheld.” In addition to Great Falls, Black Eagle, Rainbow and Crooked Falls, located around the city, each provide their own extraordinary beauty. You can take in the same view that awed the Corps of Discovery from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center on the bluffs above the river. Through hands-on exhibits, displays, interactive presentations, and hiking trails, the Interpretive Center illustrates the “importance of Central Montana to the Corps’ mission and its place in history along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.” To fully understand the history and significance of the area, visit the Ulm Pishkun State Park, one of the longest and most-used Northern Plains Indian buffalo jump sites in the country, and The History Museum, which highlights the individuals and groups who have contributed to the diversity of the region. Visit Giant Springs Heritage State Park, where one of the world’s largest natural cold water springs flows into the world’s shortest river, and Rivers Edge Trail, where you can walk, run or bike beside the mighty Missouri River. Compare the incredible scenery outdoors with the great works of art inside at the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art and the C.M. Russell Museum Complex.

Explore the historic district of Great Falls, now on the National Register of Historic Places, on a self-guided walking tour that features 216 buildings constructed between 1885 and 1945.

Lethbridge, Alberta

186

Back in Alberta, Lethbridge had its beginnings with the notorious whisky trade. Fort Whoop-Up, which was located along the Oldman River , was an American trading outpost operating from 1869 to 1874 when the North-West Mounted Police arrived on the scene. A replica of the Fort can now be found in Indian Battle Park located in the river valley.

This park is the site of the last great Indian Battle in North America , which was between the Cree and Blackfoot people. The Blackfoot were victorious in the battle, and in the following year peace was made between the tribes.

In 1869, Nicholas Sheran discovered coal deposits near the original site of Fort Whoop-Up. In 1874 he started to quarry coal and later opened a mine just north of what is now Whoop-Up Drive . In 1882 Sir Alexander Galt and William Stafford began to develop coal mines as well, and began an industry that continued operation in the city until 1957.

The city continued to expand with the development of the agricultural service sector, and has grown from a small coal-mining town to an active population of over 80,000 people. Lethbridge is home to a college and university, as well as numerous industries and businesses, and is ranked one of the ten best places in North America to do business.

Calgary

138

Today you will continue on to Calgary where you will drop off your hire car and fly home.