The other night, Bob and I went to the Gallatin River Lodge for a drink. It was an easy 10 minute drive from the house and further west of town, which is not our usual direction. We enjoyed the views as well as talking to the local staff, who gave us some good recommendations on places for gifts as well as another sight to see while we are here. We took advantage of both recommendations.
The young bartender, who has moved to Bozeman to ski, recommended that we check out Fairy Lake, which is a few miles from Bridger Bowl, where he likes to ski. Both are “easily” accessible from Bozeman.
Fairy Lake is an alpine lake in a forested bowl at the base of Sacagawea Peak in the Bridger Mountain Range. It sits at an elevation of 7,557 feet.
It is just 34 miles from where we are staying but takes over an hour to reach, even though all but 6 miles of the drive are on city streets and a well-paved highway. The last 6 miles are on a narrow dirt, gravel and/or rocky road that is negotiated at a slow pace to accommodate the many, many curves as well as cattle and oncoming autos. It was a relief (especially for Bob, the driver) to get out of the car! Luckily, the view was worth it.
Peckish Travels 