Refuge Point
Posted by: 
Volcanoguy
N 44° 52.097 W 111° 21.409
12T E 471813 N 4968380
Gallatin National Forest sign about the August 17, 1959 earthquake and the survivors at Refuge Point.
Waymark Code: WMCRAG
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 10/06/2011
Views: 5
Gallatin National Forest sign about the August 17, 1959 earthquake and the survivors at Refuge Point. The sign is located at a large turnout on U.S. Hwy. 287 at about mile point 7.9 in the Madison River Canyon Earthquake Area.
Text of Sign:
On the night of the earthquake about 250 people were camped in the Madison River Canyon.
Their escape was blocked by the highway destruction at Hebgen Lake and the huge slide at the mouth of the canyon.
Realizing they were trapped, most of the people gathered on the ridge behind this sign.
The misery and confusion of the night were relieved by many acts of kindness and mutual assistance.
A Forest Service Smokejumper rescue team parachuted to this point to give first aid and prepare the injured for evacuation.
They were flown from the area by U.S. Air Force and Forest Service contract helicopters.
Describe the area and history:
The sign is located at a large turnout on U.S. Hwy. 287 at about mile point 7.9 in the Madison River Canyon Earthquake Area, a geologic special interest area on the Gallatin National Forest.
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