Page 17 - Flathead Beacon // 6.25.14

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE A DAY PASS THROUGH A STRING OF CLOSE- KNIT, UNIQUE COMMUNITIES. FEWER STOP TO LOOK AROUND.
BY JUSTIN FRANZ
O JUNE 25, 2014 | 17
n an average day in July, more than 13,000 cars drive the stretch of U.S. Highway 2 be- tween Columbia Falls and West
Glacier, an area affectionately known to locals as “The Canyon.” Most of those cars are filled with tourists on their way to and from Glacier National Park, which attracts more than 2 million visitors every year.
Drivers negotiating the dozen or so wind- ing miles that separate the two towns are often distracted by distant peaks and an adjacent river, usually overlooking what’s right in front of them. Places like Bad Rock, Hungry Horse, Martin City and Co- ram. But if those visitors were to pull off the road, perhaps pull up a stool at Pack- ers Roost, they would meet a fascinating community.
They might meet a guy named Mountain Man Reggie, who was born “150 years
too late.” Or the young group of modern moonshiners at Glacier Distilling, who are working to keep the Canyon’s edgy spirit alive. Or members of the Trapline Asso- ciation, who coordinate barstool races to raise money for neighbors in need.
In short, visitors and locals alike who take a moment to pause and look around would meet a close-knit, unconventional com- munity that harkens back to an era when neighbors still knew each other’s name.
In short, they would meet The Canyon.
Visit FlatheadBeacon.com for more of this story, including photos and video from The Canyon.