Welcome to the Pony, Montana Picture Tour

The next time you’re heading down Highway 287, turn the wagon in Harrison, Montana and head west toward the Tobacco Root Mountains to explore Pony, Montana. Settled in the 1860s, Pony was a prosperous gold-mining community with at least 5,000 residents. Mining operations declined in the early 20th century and all were closed by 1922. The wonderful thing about Pony is a number of historic buildings from Pony’s boom era remain in the old town today making this ghost town of over one hundred inhabitants a “must see” for anyone in the Bozeman, Montana area. In case your wondering, the town was named after gold miner Tecumseh Smith, nicknamed ‘Pony’ because of his small stature.

Boom and Bust

Gold mining in Pony between 1870-1880 was profitable.  Five million dollars in ore was taken out.  An eastern syndicate believing a large deposit of ore was high grade, built the 100-stamp processing Elling-Morris Mill in 1883.  The ore body turned out to be low grade and consequently the massive mill never turned a wheel. In 1920, a tragic fire swept through the main part of town.  It destroyed the livery stable and many other buildings. The Morris State Bank and the Masonic Building survived.

Hollowtop Mountain And Albro Lake

The town of Pony, Montana also marks the origin of several trails into the Tobacco Root Mountains. Our favorites two trailheads, Albro Lake and Hollowtop Trail, can be found at the end of the road of Pony, Montana. It’s a six hour hike to the summit of Hollowtop Mountain. Or you can spend the night at Albro Lake fishing for golden trout, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. You will need to wait for the snow to recede and the trail to dry but the wait is worth it.  A weekend is all you need to for a first time visit to the Tobacco Root Mountains.  On Friday night camp at the Harrison Reservoir west of Pony (pictured). In the morning, explore the town of Pony then start up the trail for an evening of trout and shooting stars at Albro Lake. Sunday morning, make a dash for the the summit then return to Pony a very “Happy Camper.”

Highway 287 To Harrison, Montana

Riding along Highway 287 during the month of June is a pure joy. Along the way you pass the Parker Homestead,  you catch the first view from 287 of the snow covered Hollowtop Mountain in the Tobacco Root Mountains. Just outside Harrison Montana you see our favorite convertible and one of the prettiest log barns in Montana.

Half of Harrison, Montana Lost To Fire

The town of Harrison was named after the ranching family that settled in the area as early as 1865, Harrison continues to serve as a hub for ranchers and grain growers in the Willow Creek Valley. You will notice there are town buildings on the east side of Highway 287 but nothing on the west side. The entire west side was lost to fire in the 1920’s.  We like the sunset views of the Tobacco Root Mountains from town and from the nearby Harrison Reservoir.  Find the time to camp at the reservoir and see for yourself. You can thank us later.