Bozeman to Big Sky, Montana

July 29-30, 2020 - Bozeman - Big Sky, Montana

The drive to Big Sky is extremely scenic following the fast flowing Gallatin River with lots of twists, turns and traffic.   They wisely have incorporated many turnoffs for slow moving vehicles, scenic views, fishing access points and trailheads.

The Gallatin River

As you enter the "new' Big Sky town center complex you are in awe at the massive construction and development that is taking place.  The surrounding area is all planned development tracts, mostly high end going way up into the mountains. There is a steady stream of construction vehicles, service vehicles and contractor vehicles on the roads.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sky,_Montana

https://bigskyresort.com/

New Big Sky, where are going for that cosmopolitan big resort look

Located in a most desirable mountain setting

 The original Big Sky Ski Village area where the main ski area is located is about 5 miles away and will connect to the new city center by shuttle buses.

The ski area is extensive

I meet up with my daughter Jessica and family about noon time,  we toured around the shopping area, only partly open, had lunch and then went for a 3 mile round trip hike, the Ousel Falls Trail, following a creek to a waterfall.  It was a very short fairy easy trail but popular and crowded.  We then drove to the main ski area, lots of mountain biking in progress with ski lifts taking riders uphill to the trails.  They were having an evening  farmers market in the city Center when we returned with many vendors.

Jessica, Jeremy, Morgan and Mallory (L-R)

20 years together, hard to believe

Ousel Falls

The original plan was to do a Zip Line but it was completely booked solid.  The back up plan was another hike, this time on the Bee Hive Trail of about 2 miles but going rather steeply uphill.  The wildflowers and the views were spectacular however and it was enjoyed by all.  Back at the village we made use of the pool and hot tub, that felt really good.  We had some difficulty finding a dinner spot, there really aren’t many options and they close early.  I expect it will be very different during the ski season and when the current epidemic has eased somewhat.

The view was refreshing

It was great to see them, it's been about two years, the girls Mallory and Morgan are so grown up now and it happened to be Jeremy and Jessica’s 20th wedding anniversary.  How time flies !  

We went our separate ways on Friday morning, they heading to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for their flight back to Ft Myers, Florida and for me a drive to Butte, Montana.