Quake Lake Memorial Event

Although sixty-five years have passed since the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake struck on the night of August 17th, evidence of the powerful, landscape-altering event remains. The earthquake left behind millions of tons of debris from a massive landslide, exposed fault scarp, destroyed cabins and roads, resulted in the formation of Earthquake Lake, and claimed 28 lives. Earthquake Lake Visitor Center, on the Hebgen Lake Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest, will recognize the anniversary of the event with special programs, survivor stories, and more. The lineup of events is as follows: 

Friday, August 16th

• 9:00 a.m. – Morning landslide walk by Joanne Girvin. Meet at the flagpole at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center.

• 11:00 a.m. – Red Canyon Guided Hike. Meet at the Red Canyon Trailhead.

• 1:00 p.m. – Refuge Point Guided Hike led. Meet at the Refuge Point Trailhead. 

Saturday, August 17th

• 9:00 a.m. – Morning landslide walk led by Joanne Girvin. Meet at the flagpole at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center.

• 11:00 a.m. – Mike Stickney, Director of the Earthquake Studies Office at Montana Technological University, will present on the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake and its effects, including fault scarps, shaking damage, the seiches on Hebgen Lake, and the Madison Slide. 

• 2:00 p.m. – Chris Kamman, Director of Video Production at SkyLab Media House, will share footage of the Earthquake Lake area, including aerial and underwater footage, captured for his upcoming documentary on the 1959 earthquake. 

• 3:00 p.m. – Anita Painter Thon will talk about her experience as a survivor of the 1959 earthquake. 

• 4:00 p.m. – Memorial service led by Pastor Bob Everest. Meet at Memorial Boulder near Earthquake Lake Visitor Center.

Sunday, August 18th

• 10:00 a.m. – Smokejumpers will jump at Refuge Point. Meet at the Refuge Point Trailhead. This event is dependent on smokejumper availability. 

• 11:30 a.m. – John Owen will talk about his family’s history of visiting the Madison River from 1911 through 1960, including their experience at Halfords Camp the night of the earthquake. 

• 1:00 p.m. – Refuge Point Guided Hike. Meet at the Refuge Point Trailhead.

• 3:00 p.m. – Jamie Farrell, Research Associate Professor for University of Utah’s Department of Geology & Geophysics, will present on the 1959 earthquake’s effects on the hydrothermal system of Yellowstone National Park.

All programs will take place at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. Additional activities include sidewalk chalk artists and hands-on educational activities for kids. Earthquake Lake Visitor Center will be open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm August 16th-18th, 2024. For more information, call 406-682-7620.