Photo Gallery

To view a full size image, click on a thumbnail in the table below.

"Bud" Heidelbaugh, the founder of 3 Rivers Canoes.	Calvin, Dale and Annie Hankins.
Calvin Hankins fixing Abes paddle in a 30 mph wind.	Frank and Suzanne Ambrose, Fort Benton Summer Celebration 2002
Relaxing at a primitive campsite along the "Wild" portion of the river.	Roy "Mountain Man" Hankins checking his socks.
A "Big Canoe" Group Adventure.	The 34' Northwoods Voyageur is our "Big Canoe".
Black Bluff, mile 20 right is just a couple miles above Decision Point near Loma.	Blade Canyon is located at Eagle Creek and it's an easy hike you won't soon forget. BRING YOUR CAMERA!!
Amorous Rock, mile 68 Left, is a small part of an igneous dike that parallels the river for about a mile here. It has taken millions of years to erode this formation.	This igneous rock is precariously balanced on a small apex of sandstone. Erosion will eventually remove the sandstone and topple the rock.
This is Butcher Knife Canyon. This canyon, like many others, cannot be seen from the river. These areas provide fantastic hiking opportunities.	This is how Citadel Rock at mile 62 appears today. This igneous inclusion was portrayed by Karl Bodmer in a 1833 painting and later became a landmark for steamboat pilots of the Upper Missouri River.
Dark Butte is another landmark frequently used by steamboat captains and river pilots. A campsite is located about a mile above the Butte on River Left.	This is the view from Decision Point at the confluence of the Marias and Missouri Rivers. Captains Lewis and Clark had to make their first major decision here in June 1805 concerning which river was the correct path to the Great Falls and the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean.
This is the remains of the "Eye of the Needle" across from Eagle Creek. A hike to this site is not for the inexperienced! These sandstone sculptures are in a rapid rate of erosion and care should be taken not to disturb them.	Fort Chardon was located at the current Judith Landing site. It was one of many fur trading posts established during the fur trade era of the 1800's.
This natural bridge near the "Grand Wall" also exposes fossil evidence of the ocean life located here from more than 50 million years ago.	This is a view of Hole-In-The-Wall at river mile 63. There is a trail that makes a moderate hike for most adventurers.
"THE STONE WALLS UPPER MISSOURI" as they appear today. The sandstone outcropping in the upper right has been given the name "Minarets". Compare this photo with the print at the right. The original sketch was done by Karl Bodmer in 1833. This is a view of the "Minarets" from above, viewing downstream toward Eagle Butte and Hole-In-The-Wall.	"THE STONE WALLS UPPER MISSOURI" Antique steel plate engraving on paper Total size 5 x 8 inches Engraver: Herrmann Julius Meyer circa 1840. "OUR engraving represents a view on the right bank of the Missouri near the Rocky Mountains, about four hundred miles above the mouth of the Yellow Stone, and some forty or fifty miles below that of the Marias River. The line of castellated battlements extending for a long distance on one, and sometimes on both sides of the Missouri, between the Marias and Yellow Stone, has been denominated by the mountain men The Stone Walls. As a generic term for a long line of precipitous cliffs of various and often grotesque forms, and all of the same geological character, it is appropriate enough. But the view before us though partaking of characteristics common to many others in that wild, mountainous region, is sufficiently unique to deserve a specific name. After counseling with several intelligent gentlemen who are intimately acquainted with the scenery along this part of the Missouri, and with this cluster of rocky pinnacles in particular, we have given it the name of the Minarets."
Labarge Rock is located across from Eagle Creek. It was named for Captain Joseph Labarge, a well know steamboat Captain of the Upper Missouri River.	This stone foundation is all that remains of a homestead. It is located near Eagle Creek in the "Scenic" portion of the river.
This building is all that remains of a homestead in the "Wild" section of the river. It is located below the Stafford Ferry about 20 miles.	This plow was used during the homestead period. Many homesteads have equipment abandoned on them.
This old tractor was left abandoned after she broke a steering arm while climbing a short grade.	Another abandoned vehicle in the "Wild" section of the river.
Same truck, different view!	View from within a homestead bunkhouse.
A view looking downstream from atop the "Grand Wall".	A view of the "Breaks" from under a natural bridge near the "Grand Wall".
I call this rock the "Tea Kettle". It has no official name.	A fantastic view of the river "Breaks".
This photo was taken between Carter Ferry and Fort Benton. It is typical of the Colorado Shale cliffs along this portion of the river.	This is a view of the river looking downstream with Eagle Creek on the left and Labarge Rock on the right. The group of trees to the center left is the Lewis and Clark campsite of May 31, 1805.
An example of the sands deposited 50-85 million years ago which form the "White Cliffs". The grey soil on top, which is a heavy clay, is the result of volcanic activity after the sands were deposited.	The beginning of the "White Cliffs" near Pilot Rock.
A beautiful view of the "White Cliffs".	A view upstream from Eagle Creek Campsite.
Within this area there are two inscriptions left by the crew of the USS Mandan	The "White Cliffs" begin to protrude further upward as you approach the "Slaughter River" campsite.
This bird is probably a Golden Eagle but might be an immature Bald Eagle.	Mule Deer are one of the many of birds, reptiles and mammals that you will see along the river.
There are several petroglyphs at Eagle Creek. This is one that has been etched on sandstone that has an orange patina. There is a rider on this horse wearing ceremonial dress although it is hard to see. These petroglyphs were probably made by someone in the Blackfeet tribe within the period of 1700-1900.	Here is another petroglyph. The difference in a petroglyph and a pictograph is the difference between being etched or scratched, and being painted on the rock. Like the image to the left, this rider also has on ceremonial dress and carries a lance.
Pelicans are quite common along the Missouri River. These are at the mouth of the "Slaughter River", know today as "Arrow Creek".	This is a "Bull Snake". He is quite harmless unless you are a small bird, rodent, frog or a toad. The river corridor has several types of snakes, including prairie rattlesnakes. As a rule, if you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone.