P a g e 3 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r Unfortunately, the mining district was hard hit when the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was repealed in 1893. Though operations continued on a smaller scale over the years, the ore was dramatically played out by the turn of the century. The company’s major producing mine, the Cleopatra, shut down in 1895. All told, nearly $20 million was mined from the area mines over the years. When you go: Travel west from Melrose on Trapper Creek Road to the remains of Glendale which you will encounter at N45° 38.530 W112° 46.943 At the fork in the road in Glendale stay left along Trapper Creek on Trapper Creek Road for about 3.25 miles to the end of the maintained forest service road at N 45° 38.993 W112° 50.663 There are several nice boondocking campsites along the creek at this point if you want to drive your RV this far. From this point to the mining camps (5-6 miles) the road is unmaintained with four wheel drive or ATV travel recommended. Note: Glendale is located on private property and you are requested to please view the remains of Glendale from the public road. The three mining camps farther upstream are on public property which you can freely explore while keeping safety in mind. You will find "downtown" Lion City at: N45°36.215 W112°55.473, the scant remains of Trapper City at: N45°35.963 W112°54.966 and Hecla at: N45°36.205 W112°55.798 Camping: Those looking for full hookups or a place to dump and take on water before heading to a dry camp site will want to visit the Sportsman Motel and RV Park located at the north end of Melrose on Hwy 91. Those wanting a less formal campground with easy access and minimal amenities will want to spend their nights at Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site on Trapper Creek Road. Not only does it make a great base camp, as all the sites you will be exploring are up Trapper Creek Road, but it is located on the beautiful Big Hole River offering world class fishing opportunities. Fees are $18/night or $12/night with a Montana fishing license. Those that like to social distance themselves camping in the boonies with the wildlife will want to head west about 3.5 miles up Trapper Creek Road (well graded gravel) taking a side road crossing onto BLM land at N45° 38.169 W112° 44.904. The author camped at this location and was treated to an evening showing of moose, deer and antelope coming out to feed in the farmers alfalfa field to the south of camp each night. Alternately there are the locations noted above at the end of the maintained portion of Trapper Creek Road. In the next and final installment we will explore the Canyon Creek charcoal kilns that produced the much needed charcoal to operate the Glendale smelter and the mines of Vipond Park high above the kilns then Courtesy of https://northwestrving.com completing up our loop at Quartz Hill. By Dave Helgeson for https://northwestrving.com/ Dave Helgeson is the MHRV Show Director. He and his wife love to travel across the west in their RV. Dave writes about all things RVing but loves to share destinations and boondocking advice. Hecla ghosts
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