Blacktail Mountain, near Flathead Lake, Montana. Montana Conservation Corps Training

My daughter Carolan sent me some beautiful photos from the Blacktail Mountain area, which is just west of the community of Lakeside, Montana (on the great Flathead Lake). Recently Carolan was up on this mountain doing training for crew leaders for the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC).

Looking east toward Flathead Lake. The Swan Range in the background.

Flathead Lake is enormous, one of the largest lakes in America west of the Mississippi River. It's about 27 miles long, 15 miles wide, with an average depth of 165 feet. The spectacular Mission and Swan ranges are on the east of the lake and the Salish Mountains to the west. The lake moderates the weather and allows for cherry orchards, especially on the east side of the lake. The lake was once called "Salish Lake," after the Salish Indians (also called the Flathead Indians). Flathead Lake is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

A glimpse of Flathead Lake, with the Swan Range in the background.

Up on  Blacktail Mountain.

There is a small ski area on Blacktail Mountain and a much larger ski resort 36 miles north on Big Mountain, just outside of Whitefish, Montana (that's where Carolan lives). On a clear day you can see the mountains of Glacier National Park and the peaks of Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. My daughter Carolan gets to live here!