Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A . C O M 49 YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY Nestled between Yellowstone's northeast entrance and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness lies the historic town of Silver Gate, where every building is made of logs from the surrounding forests including the aptly named LOG CABIN CAFÉ. e Log Cabin offers several varieties of pie to fuel your hiking adventures such as strawberry rhubarb, blueberry, apple and cherry. Although the rustic interior is charming, we prefer to sit outside on a nice fall day to take in the views and swap stories of past hiking adventures. ere are many trails in the area worthy of your boots, but one of our favorites is the PEBBLE CREEK TRAIL a stone's throw inside Yellowstone's northeast entrance. is 12-mile hike begins at the Warm Creek Picnic Area and finishes at Pebble Creek Campground. e first 1.5 miles is a strenuous uphill, but then it's a gentle hike along Pebble Creek all the way to the campground. is hike requires a shuttle or you can hike in as far as you like and turn around. Either way, you will be rewarded with stunning views of a mountain valley surrounded by colossal peaks where you might find a mountain goat or two. PARADISE VALLEY THE NORTHERN PACIFIC BEANERY in Livingston is known for their cream pies with a flaky crust that owner, Joe Colvin, says is the key to any good pie. Choose from varieties like banana cream, coconut cream, or my favorite of theirs, chocolate cream. e Beanery is located in Livingston's old train depot. Although it wasn't always the Beanery, the building itself has served as a food establishment since it was built in 1902. ere are so many great hikes in Paradise Valley it was hard to choose just one. Our pick is the PINE CREEK LAKE TRAIL along Paradise Valley's east side. is 5-mile (one-way) trail wanders through forest for the first mile to the base of Pine Creek Falls. You could stop there, but you haven't earned your pie until you hike the remaining four miles to Pine Creek Lake — a gorgeous alpine lake resting in a glacial cirque. e strenuous uphill is worth the view at the top. When traveling the pie trail, start with a full tank and an empty stomach CONTINUED T known for their cream pies with a flaky crust that cream, or my favorite of theirs, chocolate cream. e Beanery is located in Livingston's old train depot. Although it wasn't always the Beanery, the building itself has served as a food establishment since it was built in 1902. ere are so many great hikes in Paradise Valley it was hard to choose just one. Our pick is the first mile to the base of Pine Creek Falls. You could stop there, but you haven't earned your pie until you hike the remaining four miles to Pine Creek Lake — a gorgeous alpine lake resting in a glacial cirque. e strenuous uphill is worth the view at the top.

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