Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A nursery rock shielded this Douglas fir tree as a seedling.
A fascinating attribute of the glacial erratics leads some of them to be called nursery
rocks by botanists. These rocks have one Douglas fir tree growing just north or west of
them, where the seedling could get a bit of shade, more soil moisture, and shelter from the
wind.
As you approach Tower Junction, keep your eyes open for black bears. The Tower area is
one of the places where they like to live during the summer.
27.0/1.6
Junction Butte, just north of the road, rises above the spot where the Lamar River
joins the Yellowstone.
27.4/1.2
Yellowstone River picnic area and
Specimen Ridge Trailhead
(al-
ternate access) on the south.
If you climb the trail above the picnic area, you'll be treated to some spectacular views into
the Yellowstone River canyon and a much more extensive view of Calcite Springs than can be
seen at the Calcite Springs Overlook on the other side. (The overlook is described at mile 1.7/
16.6 in the road log “From Tower Junction to Canyon Junction.”)
