One more pass

The weather forecasts for today were ominous, with rain and thunderstorms predicted.  We made an early exit from Great Falls, hoping to cover the 43 miles to Monarch, up in the Belt Mountain range, before the bad weather caught us.  The last 21 miles were a good, steady climb, but the road was well graded, with nice switchbacks, so it wasn't bad at all.  Some people (not me) rode in rain for a few miles, and we were all in early and enjoyed our good fate as the rain came down steadily.

Monarch is a tiny town which was once a railroad junction, mainly for taking ore out of the mountains.  The motel and adjoining bar and grill are the town's only commercial establishments.  It looked like the entire population of the town and then some, were there for dinner,

The clouds were hanging heavy in the direction of our destination.

If Andrew Wyeth were painting in Montana...

Cliffs and valleys as we headed up the pass.  You can see the old railroad line in the valley.  It would make a great rail trail for bikes, but all the old trestles have been destroyed.

Pretty much all there is of Monarch.