Fort Peck to Ovando (No. 149)

Backroads of Montana has stories from Fort Peck, Ovando, Lincoln and more.

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Backroads of Montana | Fort Peck to Ovando

Backroads of Montana has stories from Fort Peck, Ovando, Lincoln and more.

Meet Pearl Nickels who, in her 90s, still works every day on the ranch near Fort Peck. Learn about gumbo—a volcanic clay that covers everything it touches and makes getting around a sticky mess. St. Mary of the Assumption has served farmers and miners in the Ruby Valley for more than a century. It takes a special effort to keep the the Monture Guard station north of Ovando in working condition. Finally, discover the Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild Park near Lincoln.

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Fort Peck to Ovando (No. 149)

Ray Ekness

1 / 19

Sculpture in the Wild International Sculpture Park near Lincoln features site-specific works of art using materials associated with the community’s economic and cultural traditions.

Ray Ekness

2 / 19

Sculpture in the Wild International Sculpture Park near Lincoln features site-specific works of art using materials associated with the community’s economic and cultural traditions.

Ray Ekness

3 / 19

Public art is on display at the Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild International Sculpture Park near Lincoln.

Ray Ekness

4 / 19

Public art is on display at the Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild International Sculpture Park near Lincoln.

Ray Ekness

5 / 19

Public art is on display at the Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild International Sculpture Park near Lincoln.

Ray Ekness

6 / 19

Public art is on display at the Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild International Sculpture Park near Lincoln.

Gus Chambers

7 / 19

The true back roads of Montana can turn to gumbo.

Gus Chambers

8 / 19

Gumbo has been stopping Montanans in their tracks for years.

American Prairie Reserve

9 / 19

Gumbo--the volcanic clay that covers everything it touches and makes getting around a sticky mess is featured on Backroads of Montana.

Ray Ekness

10 / 19

Laurin Church.

Courtesy of the St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church

11 / 19

Historical photo of Laurin Church.

Ray Ekness

12 / 19

Laurin Church.

Breanna McCabe

13 / 19

A group of volunteers relax after restoring the finishes on the Monture Guard Station north of Ovando as part of the National Smokejumper Association’s Trails Program.

Breanna McCabe

14 / 19

The Monture Guard Station north of Ovando gets used year-round to house trail crews in the summer and recreationists in the winter.

Breanna McCabe

15 / 19

The Monture Guard Station north of Ovando gets used year-round to house trail crews in the summer and recreationists in the winter.

Breanna McCabe

16 / 19

Jay Lawley of Redmond, Washington, sands the sign at Monture Guard Station where his dad completed a project as a Smokejumper in 1957.

John Twiggs

17 / 19

Pearl Nickels getting into her tractor and heading to the field. Now in her nineties, Pearl still works the ranch near Fort Peck.

John Twiggs

18 / 19

Pearl Nickels with her ranch hand Boots. They are taking the pickup out to check on cattle. Now in her nineties, Pearl still works on the ranch near Fort Peck.

John Twiggs

19 / 19

This is part of the 9-mile long driveway to get to the Nickels ranch. The 13-thousand acre spread sits near Fort Peck.