Paradise Valley is the is name given to the perfectly flat river valley between the Absaroka Mountain range to the west and the Gallatin Mountain range to the east in Southwestern Montana. The mountains erupt angrily out of the valley reaching upwards of 11,000 feet into the sky. It is best known for world class fly fishing on the Yellowstone River, which exits the confines of Yellowstone National Park very distraught before turning into the “Mellow Yellow” as it meanders through the valley. Paradise Valley is the heart and soul of Montana’s fly-fishing enthusiasts and the gateway to the northern entrance of the National Park. Located in the part of the world known as Big Sky country, it became clear to anyone traveling through it that it was a valley worthy of its own name. It has been the back drop for films such as “A River Runs Through It” and “The Horse Whisperer.” It is a mix of deep rooted ranches and trophy winning home. Acreage is a pretty penny in the valley and there has been no shift in culture towards development as the quiet simplicity is part of the paradise. More recently, mega musician John Mayer released an album titled “Paradise Valley” in 2013, as Mayer has come to call the valley his own after purchasing a private ranch right along the banks of the Yellowstone. His songs on the album truly capture the paradise vibe, with lines like:
“River’s strong you can’t,
Swim inside it, we could
String some lights up the, hill beside it
Tonight the moon’s so bright you could,
You could drive with your headlights out
‘Cause a little bit of summer’s what the whole year’s all about”
Paradise Valley would become my home as well, and these are an assortment of photo’s and memories from my time in the valley:
Snowy Emigrant Peak and the Absaroka Range from my first time driving through the valley in May 2014The Yellowstone River raging through the valley in springPhoto taken from the same location in fall. Note the difference in vegetation.One more from the same spot with the alpenglow up on the Absaroka peaks. This shot was towards the end of summerA full rainbow over the Yellowstone River in Gardiner, MT. I saw more rainbows in Montana than I had my whole life combined up to that point.Clouds hovering over the Yellowstone River in the valleyTeeing off into Paradise Valley at the ranches private golf course.Taking in the valley and Emigrant Peak from a portion of the ranches property. Note the Yellowstone River snaking its way through the valley.Emigrant Peak and the Yellowstone River in spring. Come summer water levels will drop significantly, and the snow on the peaks will be nearly gone.The ranch property is massive. This is a portion of what is called Lower Ranch, located down in the valley by the golf course. The ranches cabins are tucked away file miles up the road in the Gallatin’s hills.My parents getting their first taste of Paradise. I was fortunate enough to have them visit during my first year for a few days in September.The valley is the flat burnt out looking region below viewed from the trail on Emigrant Peak. The Gallatin Range and the ranch are visible on the other side of the valley.Some wildflowers with Emigrant Peak in the distance from one of the ranches hiking trails.A hail storm that had passed over me ten minutes prior making its way towards the valley. I was completely unprepared when the storm hit and was forced to cover my head with my backpack for the five minutes the storm took its rage out on me. Weather can come and go very quickly at the ranch
My Life in Paradise 