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November 3, 2016

Polebridge, Montana — Almost the End of the Earth

23 Comments/ 159/ 0

If you want to go to Polebridge, Montana be prepared for a ride down a long dusty (or muddy if it has rained) road.  roadThe road was filled with ruts and potholes but we made it.  My friend, Beth, had suggested we stop off in Polebridge for a bit of adventure.  She knows us well.  She knows we like the off the beaten path type of adventures.

Polebridge is an unincorporated community in Flathead County. It is named for the log bridge that formerly connected the “inner” North Fork Road in Glacier National Park to the “outer” North Fork Road.  It is also very close to the US / Canadian border.  Signs informed us that there was no crossing point into Canada down the road we were traveling so I am assuming they keep that area closed off and don’t really monitor it but we did not drive farther to see.  Our goal was the Polebridge Mercantile.  I had bear claws on my mind.

We arrived at the Polebridge Mercantile and it looked exactly like the pictures I had seen on their website and Facebook page.   A picture perfect storefront framed the original building as we approached.polebridge2

chrisandbethann

According to their website:

William L. “Bill” Adair built the Merc back in 1914, just four years after Glacier Park became a park. He fished, using only one fly (the Coachman), and drank and grew king-sized cabbages while his wife (and later, after she died, a second wife) ran the store and lived in their homestead cabin, which is now the Northern Lights Saloon.

To read more of the interesting history of this place just click here.  It is worth a read to get a feel for the place.polebridge12

Yes, there are 4 cabins that you can rent while you explore the area.  They are rustic with no running water.  Rates begin at $89 a night.

We went inside the building and were treated with all of the sights and smells that the old building and bakery had to offer.  Shelves were stocked with items that travelers might need.  Necessities and more overflowed from the many shelves.polebridge7

polebridge6

polebridge8There was  plenty of Polebridge Mercantile branded merchandise available for customers and as we looked through the store we found some postcards and travel mugs that fit our needs.polebridge5

polebridge4

It seemed like every inch of this old building was filled to the rafters with merchandise and antiques.  My eyes caught sight of some old typewriters that were hanging out on a beam high above the normal sightline.polebridge11

There was even a little used book corner where folks could find some pretty interesting selections that might enhance their travels or their stay while in the Polebridge area.polebridge9But the bear claws were what we were after.polebridge10Along with a cup of coffee each we shared one of these delicious huckleberry bear claws that was bigger than my hand.  It was a lovely combination of slightly tart yet sweet huckleberries wrapped in a doughy sweet pastry.  Ah….perfection.bearclawBefore we left the area we walked around the outside of the building and noticed some cabins . There was a lot of activity behind the mercantile and it appeared that there was some building going on.  There is no cell service in Polebridge .  They are “off the grid” but do have solar panels and a diesel generator power.  They joke that the wildlife outnumbers the humans in Polebridge although we actually saw more humans than wildlife when we were there.

As we walked around outside we availed ourselves to the use of the outhouse for the true Polebridge experience. The decor inside was eclectic ….or something.  But honestly it was one of the best outhouses I visited during our trip this time.  So there is that.outhouseAs we walked around a bit outside I noticed a little box and walked over to investigate.  While it did not bear the official Little Free Library sign it was their own version and a cute one at that.polebridge17You know how much I love these little libraries, right?  Perfect spot for the perfect little library.

Sometimes the best places are off the beaten path.  Polebridge was definitely one of those places and we were happy we took that dirt road to discover what others may not discover.

If you are ever in the area I would recommend you stop for a bear claw or other pastry.  Just make sure to check out their hours and road conditions before you go as sometimes the road is closed.  To connect with the Polebridge Mercantile make sure you check out their social media pages below.  You can even do your shopping online without visiting but I would definitley recommend a visit .

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bear claws Flathead County Glacier national Park Montana off the beaten path Polebridge Polebridge Mercantile travel
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23 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Darlene Foster
    November 03, 2016 at 06:23 am

    Yes, the best places are certainly off the beaten track. I love places like this. Those bear claws look so good. You were very close to Canada!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:32 am

      The bear claw was amazing!!! Trust me on that !

      Reply
  2. Dawn
    November 03, 2016 at 06:40 am

    Wow! I’m glad you went, because who knows how long it will be before I’m in that neck of the woods! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:32 am

      You need to check it out if you are ever in the area. I think you would find it really a fun little side trip.

      Reply
  3. [email protected]
    November 03, 2016 at 07:44 am

    Almost like being there!
    DiAnne

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:31 am

      Almost!!!! Thanks, DiAnne!

      Reply
  4. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    November 03, 2016 at 09:31 am

    What a great discovery. As you know, I also love these off-the-beaten-path places. Thanks for the tour.

    Those bear claws look incredibly delicious.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:29 am

      This was your kind of place, Audrey! I think Randy would have had his work cut out driving the road to get there but the end result would have made you both happy. And the pastries all looked amazing. I regretted not buying a couple to save for the next morning.

      Reply
  5. Dianna
    November 03, 2016 at 09:51 am

    That just looks fascinating! A little too rustic for me to want more than a brief visit though!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:23 am

      Dianna—well it was very rustic. Down to the outhouse and no running water. 🙂 I could do maybe one night there. Maybe….

      Reply
  6. Jack Downing
    November 03, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Picturesque, quaint and certainly out of the way.. Nice pics and post Beth Ann.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:22 am

      Thank you so much! It was a fun out of the way place to explore for sure so I had to share with you guys as well!

      Reply
  7. Christi
    November 03, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Kinda reminds me of that TV show set in Alaska – I think it was called Northern Exposure? Looks like a charming place for a visit.
    I think they were going for Grizzly sized bear claws!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:22 am

      Oh yes! I used to watch that show! YEs–the bear claw was ginormous! And tasty as well. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Susi
    November 03, 2016 at 04:48 pm

    Adorable. I like off the beaten path adventures. Don’t think hubby and I could do one of those all days planned type things. I’m sure some people enjoy that but we like to explore for ourselves… You never know what you’ll fin. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:21 am

      I agree–the planned things just don’t fit in our world. Well, sometimes you have to plan a little bit, right, but these types of adventures of what blog posts are made of. 🙂 And we find the most interesting people along the way and I bet you do as well. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  9. Jeni F.
    November 04, 2016 at 07:54 am

    This is an incredible adventure! That is the bear clawiest bear claw I’ve ever seen. Yum.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 04, 2016 at 09:17 am

      It was indeed yummy. Definitely worth the trip.

      Reply
  10. Rorybore
    November 04, 2016 at 02:17 pm

    I highly recommend that everyone take the off the beaten path adventure every now and then. We’ve discovered some great places that way. Those pastries look almost as big as our Beaver Tails! (an actual pastry, not an actual animal tail)

    Reply
  11. josh
    November 09, 2016 at 10:47 am

    What a cool lil’ spot. Sriracha is heavily represented, yay! It looks worth the drive just for the bear claw alone.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 10, 2016 at 06:27 am

      Yes–I was surprised to see it stocked so heavily there! The bear claw was pretty amazing.

      Reply
  12. Saladu, North Carolina - Gem of the Blue Ridge Mountains - It's Just Life
    February 06, 2017 at 06:00 am

    […] found this place to be very similar to the Polebridge Mercantile that we visited this past fall when we were vacationing in […]

    Reply
  13. Saluda, North Carolina - Gem of the Blue Ridge Mountains - It's Just Life
    February 06, 2017 at 02:03 pm

    […] found this place to be very similar to the Polebridge Mercantile that we visited this past fall when we were vacationing in […]

    Reply

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Beth's bookshelf: read

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