This Montana Life

Kreis Pond – Nine Mile Montana

Good morning world. Gina and I are sitting next to a lovely mountain lake called Kreis Pond. We pulled in last night around 7:30, just in time to don a swimsuit and loll around in the warm warm perfect swimming temperature lake.

View of the campsite from across the pond

The previous part of the day was spent driving from Great Falls, Montana to Livingston, Montana (just north of Yellowstone National Park) to purchase a pair of kayaks offered on Craigslist for a song. Our family of four loves to float the lazy Missouri but we only had two kayaks. So now we don’t have to draw straws to see who gets the kayaks and who gets to stay home.

Trailer? check. Kayaks? check. Fun on board? Definitely!

Ok. Back to Kreis Pond. This is a serene campground with spots right on the lake. Unfortunately a very un-serene family was camped right across the pond from me. I will never understand why people bring loud voices and stereos to a campground. Oh well, one thing I’ve learned is that not everybody thinks like me. Heck—only about 8% of people think like me.

Ok. Back to Kreis Pond (again). This campground is not too far off of I-90 just west of Missoula. You take the Nine Mile Road exit and head up the hills. Don’t pass by the Visitor Center at the Nine Mile Historic Ranger Station. This little interpretive center is staff by friendly volunteers and offers you a glimpse into historic forest fighting in Montana. You then drive on a dirt road about five miles and voila’! You are at Kreis Pond. Someone vandalized one of the signs naming the pond something a little more biblical.

Someone renamed the Pond.

Once tucked into a campsite and after my swim I set out in the kayak on the calm waters. Trout were jumping ahead of me and it was an effortless float around the lakeshore. I was harkened by two little girls swimming across the lake as they were thrilled to see someone other than their loud family, I believe. They kept yelling at me, “Girl! Girl! Come over here!!” “Oh Girl! We want to meet you”. How refreshing for my old person to be called a girl! Needless to say I did not heed their beckoning as I did not want to burst their bubble. This way they went to sleep thinking there was the possibility of a new friend to make—instead of the reality that a gramma was cruising the lake in a pink kayak!

Gina--all tucked in for the night

I recommend this campground—but only if you fare better and find it sans obnoxious families. The volunteers at the Visitor Center said that dispersal camping is available at the CCC Camp just above the pond and is sometimes a quieter alternative. He also made sure to mention that the pond is stocked with cutthroat trout and there are some lunkers in there. Oh, and there are a number of mountain bike trails–non-motorized. They have maps at the visitor center to show you the routes.

There were very few bugs here, but a very bright and beautiful green insect found its way into my trailer. My oh my! I wish the camera had captured the colors better, but this will have to do. Good night sun. Good night bugs.

My new friend. No stingers either.