Southwest Montana

A list of must-see places in Montana. How many can you cross off the list?

With the recent nice weather following the bitter cold snap we had a couple of weeks ago, people are taking advantage of the temperatures and are getting back on our area's roads and trails. We caught up with local forester and outdoor recreationalist Jocelyn Dodge who offered some tips on what to do if you encounter wildlife and how to stay safe on your snow machines.

Join the Mile High Nordic Ski Education for the 2023 Ski Ball, their annual fundraiser and membership drive. The event will be taking place at Butte Brewing Company at 465 E. Galena this Friday, November 17 from 6 to 9pm.

Well, it seems that the local rumor mill has been running full speed for a couple of months now about the Wise River Club and it's change of ownership. And in Butte and Southwest Montana, the rumor mill sometimes runs consecutive 8 hour shifts around the clock. Here at the radio ranch, we get mostly questions rather than answers. "Did you hear that the Wise River Club was sold? Did you hear who bought it?" We get a lot of that. We also get a few educated guesses that are passed off as fact which also helps lead to the maelstrom of misinformation that inevitably ensues. We're also getting a lot of that.

Make no mistake. It is HOT in Southwest Montana this summer. As temperature records fall across the entire country, the mercury in our neck of the woods has gone into the 90s several times already and August looks as though it could be another scorcher. However, there are areas nearby where the temperatures are a bit cooler, the air has a little more moisture, and the views are unbeatable. Southwest Montana forester and outdoor recreation expert Jocelyn Dodge has a few viable suggestions.

What is the best way to handle all of this summertme heat? Many are looking for the best way to cool off and local forester and recreation expert Jocelyn Dodge says that some ways of doing just that can involve some of Southwest Montana's beautiful waterways and can be a great way to spend some quality time with friends and family.

Saturday, July 22 is a date that over 500 mountain bike racers from 18 states and Canada have circled on their calendars as the annual Butte 100 series of mountain bike races is set for its' 16th running. The Butte 100 is a series of 3 races including the grueling 100-mile race, the Butte 50 (a 50-miler), and the 25-mile Sorini 25. Volunteers are needed and a couple of meetings (with free pizza, salad and beer) are coming up on July 11 and July 19 at 5:30 in the conference room of Butte Brewing Co.

Local recreationalist and forester Jocelyn Dodge tells us the campsites in our area open are ready for use. "All campgrounds in the Butte area including Delmoe Lake, Beaver Dam, Lowlands, Toll Mountain and Whitehouse are now open along with campgrounds in the Georgetown Lake area," Dodge told us. "However, along with a new season comes new fees that you may find upon arrival," she added.