Continued from Page 1

 

Above the town of Wickes is the original railroad bed that ran from Helena to Butte. The tracks are now long gone, but the railroad bed is still used by off road vehicles to access this incredible area.

 

The railroad bed above Wikes Montana

It leads to the north portal of the Boulder Tunnel (N-46 deg. 20.235 W-112 deg. 07.094). This tunnel bores completely through the mountain a staggering distance of 6,145 feet. It’s been abandoned for many years but can still be driven through.

The north portal of the Boulder Tunnel

I bypassed this tunnel due to the fact that the sun was slowly disappearing over the mountains and I still hadn’t seen Comet.

On the road to Comet

Comet (N-46 deg. 18.648 W-112 deg. 10.204) is a short drive from the Boulder Tunnel on fun and challenging roads.

Looking down on Comet Ghost Town

Comet Montana

Comet Montana

Main Street, Comet Montana

The newer mill built in 1926

The original Comet Mine

At one time, Comet was home to over 300 miners at its peak in the 1880’s, but was empty by World War I. The mine was reopened again in the 1920’s and a new mill was built in 1926 that is still standing to this day. It’s hard to imagine now, but this once small town was home to over twenty-two saloons! Comet is one of the better-preserved towns in the area and is well worth a visit. After seeing Comet, the sun was gone and we drove to Butte to spend the night.

 The next morning, we awoke to a beautiful day and decided to try and follow the abandoned railroad bed as far as possible from Butte to Helena but not before getting a great picture of the Copper King Mansion. The mansion is a standing testament to the wealth that was once dominant in this area.

Copper King Mansion

My eleven year old daughter, Monica, had been staying in Butte and decided to join in the fun, but only if I would let her drive the Jeep. We had to follow I15 north of Butte for a few miles to Exit 138 at Elk Park. You can see the bed along the interstate, but private land makes it impossible to access.

Following the railroad bed

Continued on page 3