G Bar M Ranch - Local Attractions

Hosts: The Leffingwell's
P. O. Box 29
Clyde Park MT 59018
(406) 686-4423
E-Mail: gbarmranch@mcn.net

Our Special Attractions - Join us in unregimented activities, a relaxed atmosphere and historic ranch family tradition and hospitality. Delight in the tranquility of unspoiled and undeveloped beautiful mountain scenery. We offer delicious, excellently prepared wholesome meals including fresh garden vegetables, ranch raised beef, home made breads and desserts.

Scenic Places - We are approximately a two hour drive from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Information on the park can be obtained through the local chamber of commerce. There are many other local sites of interest such as The Lewis and Clark Caverns and the ghost towns of Castle, Elkhorn, Virginia City, Nevada City and Bannock. Transportation is not provided by the ranch, however, car rentals are available in Bozeman. Within 8 miles of the ranch are the Bridger Mountains with many hiking trails and Fairy Lake, a beautiful glacial lake nestled high in the peaks of the Bridgers. Drop off and pick up is available to the Bridger Mountains. Northeast of the ranch are the Crazy Mountains, a rugged mountain range with many hiking trails and glacial lakes as well. Both the Bridger and the Crazy Mountains have excellent trout filled lakes and streams.

The Yellowstone River is within an hours drive from the ranch. Fly fishing guides and river rafting trips are available. Activities off of the ranch are separate costs not included in the ranch package.

Museums - The Museum of the Rockies is located in Bozeman and is well known for it's displays of dinosaur fossils. Within Helena, the state capital, is The Montana Museum at Helena. If you are interested in Western Art, the Charlie Russell Museum is in Great Falls.

Colleges - Montana State University is located in the city of Bozeman, within an hours drive of the ranch and The University of Montana is in Missoula.

Wildlife & Landscape - For the animal enthusiast we have many species of interest. The most common spied animal on the ranch is the deer, mule and white tail. Early in the morning or in the

evening you can watch them grazing in the fields around the ranch. A great photo opportunity, as the deer are quite tame. Another common sight is both the golden eagle and the red tailed hawk. Both can be seen soaring high above the ranch riding on the thermal air currents of the foothills. It is quite a sight if you catch a glimpse of them hunting and catching prey. For the bird watcher, there are numerous species to observe including the entertaining hummingbirds which fly around and feed from the many feeders and lilacs bushes surrounding the ranch house.

Also living within the area are elk, coyote, moose, black bear, mountain lion and many small mammals such as bob cat, lynx, wolverine, mink, weasel, beaver, marmot, cotton tail, showshoe and jack rabbits. The creek that flows through the ranch is home to rainbow, native cut throat and brown trout. We do not however have any rattle snakes or grizzly bears on the ranch or surrounding areas.

The ranch sits in a valley between two series of foothills leading to higher more mountainous terrain. In the lower creek bed areas are many cottonwood and willow trees and grassy pastures leading up to sage covered hills dotted with occasional aspen groves and fir trees. Higher up is more timbered and rugged landscapes. Wild flowers start showing up in May with an explosion of vibrant colors and innumerable varieties covering the hillsides in late June through July with late summer bloomers continuing on into August and even September. One good picture is worth a thousand words, but a thousand pictures cannot do justice to this beautiful country.

Shopping - The two nearest places to shop are Bozeman and Livingston. Bozeman has a Mall as well as shops, art galleries and western apparel stores. Livingston offers the same on a smaller scale.