Barn and hay scene before beginning the climb to McDonald Pass from Deer Lodge, MT. McDonald Pass, Montana.
Barn and hay scene before beginning the climb to McDonald Pass from Deer Lodge, MT. McDonald Pass, Montana.

Wanting to see more of the country north of Deer Lodge, MT, we drove north on Route 12 towards Helena, MT, stopping at the top of McDonald Pass after a steep climb. At the pass, there was a winding dirt access road leading to an overlook area on top of a nearby hillside.

McDonald pass, el.6,312 feet (1,924 m), is a mountain pass on the continental divide west of Helena, Montana that is traversed by U.S. Route 12. The pass is one of three passes (McDonald, Mullan and Priest) used in the 1870s-80s for travel between Helena and Deer Lodge, Montana over the continental divide. ~ Wikipedia

The view from McDonald Pass looking east toward Helena, MT. McDonald Pass, Montana.
The view from McDonald Pass looking east toward Helena. Between Deer Lodge and Helena at McDonald Pass, Montana.

The view was well worth the drive even if storm clouds were quickly moving in during our time at the top.

Storm clouds roll in on top of McDonald Pass, MT. McDonald Pass, Montana.
Storm clouds roll in on top of McDonald Pass, MT. McDonald Pass, Montana.

4 Comments

  1. That is some beautiful country. And, we can quickly see why they call it Big Sky Country.

  2. Such a stark contrast to the red rock vistas you were sharing awhile back. Just goes to show the diversity of landscape we have in this country.