Butte MT

I only drove through Butte as I changed from I-15 (coming from the north) to I-90 (eastbound). The town is south of I-90 and is in a large valley surrounded by those tall and treeless mountains.

Since the town is in a valley, unknown why it is called Butte. I did not spot a butte.

Missouri River Headwaters State Park

At a point between Butte and Bozeman, just north of I-90 near the small town of Three Forks is where this state park is located. The park contains the confluence of three rivers, The Jefferson, The Madison and the Gallatin. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, when these three rivers come together, they form what is the Missouri River. The Missouri runs through or borders seven states before meeting the Mississippi River at St. Louis 2540 miles down river.

Lewis and Clark discovered the area and named the three rivers in 1805. This is also where their Indian guide, Sacagawea, was captured by another Indian tribe.

While at the site, I met a member of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission. She told me much of the history of the area and how it has changed, and not changed, since Lewis and Clark found it over 200 years ago. Moose, bobcats, mountain lions and beaver can still be seen in the area but the grizzly bears are long gone.