FORT BENTON to COAL BANKS LANDING
June 13th
Putin at campsite; on the water at 7:50 am Stopped at Lewis and Clark's Decision Point at the confluence of the Marias River Crew change at Woods Bottom FAS (11:20 am; 19.9 mi./32.0 km) Final takeout of the trip at Coal Banks Landing (3:25 pm; 22.7 mi./36.5 km) Distance canoed today: 42.6 mi./68.5 km Entire crew drove to Great Falls. Shared a meal and stories at Denny's Final good-byes. Some stayed in Great Falls while others drove to Prewitt Creek RV campground for the night
Coal Banks Landing takeout
Our last day of canoeing found us up and at 'um early... had over forty miles to canoe and the start of our trek home ahead of us. A stunning sunrise greeted us and it wasn't long before breakfast was done, lunches made and the gear packed for our final day.
Wind at our backs	Once again the Mighty Mo treated us to outstanding and varied scenery. We passed two historical points today. One was Decision Point. If when Lewis and Clark passed the Marias River it looked like it does today, there would have been no Decision Point...there is no question which is the Missouri River. Two hundred years does indeed change the landscape. The second point was the cliffs of nesting swallows mentioned in their journals. Many nests are present today in this area.	Snake in water near Decision Point
We arrived at Coal Banks Landing about three-thirty. There was a minor traffic jam there with other canoes/boats leaving to head down the river. Soon the canoes were unloaded, gear sorted and packed and we were on our way to Great Falls. The ravenously hungry crew headed to Denny's where we dined earlier in the trip. After some good food and lively chatter, goodbyes, hugs and future plans were exchanged and the group divided into two groups...Gene, Suzanna, Kathy, Don and Cheri headed north while the rest of the group drove to Prewitt RV Campground where we had camped June 8th and 9th.
Completion of eleven day, 295 miles/476 km trip		Intense concentration
Campground sentinal	Our view	and a friendly visitor
Epilogue. The next day we drove to the Cardwell where we first gathered. After unloading our gear, good-byes were said to Bob, Chuck, Kris, Richard, Deb and Keith and they were on their way to Spokane and points beyond. It was with mixted feeling that we loaded our camper...sad to see the trip over, but looking forward to addtional adventures before heading home. It was an OUTSTANDING trip...THANK YOU all for making it so memoriable...looking forward to the possibilities of future adventures with all of you. Bill and Sharon.
Day's Coordinates Putin Fort Benton N 47 48.289 W 111 40.383 Crew Change Woods Bottom FAS N 47 54.695 W 110 29.585 Takeout/End of trip Coal Banks Landing FAS N 48 01.927 W 111 14.163
Introduction, The Crew, June 2, June 3, June 4, June 5, June 6, June 7, June 8, June 9, June 10, June 11, June 12, June 13 Return to Website home page.