Flathead Indian Country - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 300

A bison's heavy coat protects it from both summer sun and winter winds. In
fact, it's so well insulated that in winter the snow can lay on this hardy beast's
back without melting.
5. Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge
Continuing a few miles farther north on Rte. 212, you will reach the Ninepipe National
Wildlife Refuge. It encompasses a wetland habitat of marshes, reservoirs, and glacial
pothole ponds that each year attract more than 200 species of birds, including Canada
geese, mallards, pintails, herons, gulls, cormorants, pheasants, and bald eagles. A viewing
site on the east side of Ninepipe Reservoir offers some of the most fascinating viewing,
especially in the spring and fall, when the refuge serves as a stopover for migrating flocks.
In the nearby town of Pablo, the People's Center serves as a living encounter with the Flat-
head Indian way of life.
6. Polson
Famous for its cherry orchards, Polson sits atop the rough glacial moraine fronting Polson
Bay, at the southern end of Flathead Lake. It's an energetic town, with a busy waterfront
of shops, restaurants, and docks that is perfect for an afternoon stroll. At the bay's south-
western corner, the lake drains into the Lower Flathead River, which runs into a canyon
pluggedatoneendbytheKerrDam—aspectacularconcreteedificethatmeasures204feet
inheight.Toreachthedam,whichistwomilesdownstream,headwestonSeventhAvenue
toKerrDamRoadandfollowthesigns;alongflightofstepsleadstoalookoutpointabove
the dam with bracing views of the Lower Flathead canyon, a landscape where roiling rap-
ids contrast with arid hills that are virtually inaccessible by road. Look for the Miracle of
America Museum as you approach Polson; it contains over five acres of American history
and memorabilia.
Star Route
PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE
Beginning at Anaconda, an old copper-smelting town, Rte. 1 traces an arc of about
60 scenic miles northwest to Drummond. Near Anaconda, mountain goats scale