One of the larger cities on the north side of the Beartooth Mountains range is called Red Lodge, Montana, a town that I have heard much about from others, but to be honest, when I arrive, this town does not impress me in the least.

Why? you ask. Well, the town of Red Lodge is no more than a tourist town, or as Tommy would say, a turkey shoot. There are more restaurants, gift shops, outfitter shops and the like in Red Lodge than any one could ever need, at least for those who are summer tourist and winter snow sport enthusiasts. I do not stop except to fill the gas tank in my vehicle. Then, I pull out of Red Lodge and begin my drive up into the Beartooth mountains.

Although US 212 highway begins at the interstate, the Woodlands Path does not begin until leaving Red Lodge. Just south of Red Lodge, a roadside kiosk board reports the story of how this tourist trap called Red Lodge got it′s name.

The kiosk rendition is a modern interpretations of a very old story, a story that dates back many moons.

The story is told that, the first indigenous people, when they arrived here after migrating across the Beringia land bridge, they were traveling down the Missouri river and upon arriving at it′s confluence with the Yellowstone river, Joktan and his Sons decided to camp near to this river junction along the Missouri river. However, several of the sons crossed the Missouri river and set up camp on the south side along the Yellowstone river because it looked like there was more game there.

So, it was Jerah, Havilad, Sheba and Uzal who crossed to the south side of the river opposite the main campsite of the rest of the nation so that thy could set up their camp, but immediately after crossing the Missouri, Jerah and Havilah went to hunt for some game. Two of their younger brothers, Sheba and Uzal, instead stayed there to set up their tents. There along the bank of the Yellowstone river was some red clay, so Sheba and Uzal took some of the red clay and used this brightly colored clay to color their tents with. When their two older brother returned from hunting, they liked the way it looked so much that they both walked to the bank to get some of the red clay to color their tents as well.

The next morning, Jerah tells his Father Joktan that he likes the abundant game here along the Yellowstone river and so his family will remain here to stay along the banks of this river. The nation stayed here along the banks of both the Missouri and the Yellowstone river for several more days before the remainder of the nation leaves to continue downriver along the Missouri river.

Then Jerah, who was camping along the lower Yellowstone river began to work his way upstream along the Yellowstone river in search of a place to call his homeland, one that also has a much better water source. It did not take long until the tribe of Jerah came upon the banks of Rock Creek where they found plenty of crystal clear water and abundant game in the nearby forest. They then traveled upstream along Rock Creek and soon found a wide and spacious land. Since the food and water here was good, and also right next to the creek there is a wide place for setting up camp, this is where all of Jerah′s family decides to set up their tepees and spend their first winter season.

There along the bank of this creek was some more of the red clay. That is when several of the sons of Jerah took some of the red clay that was along the bank and also used this brightly colored clay to color their tents like their father Jerah did to his tent. Soon, more of the family also began to color their tents as well.

Thus, this story reveals how ancient native American art resulted in their campsite along the banks of Rock Creek began being called the Red Lodge and the name seems to have stuck.