The original Northern Pacific main line west out of Missoula, Montana began the steep climb over Evaro Hill at a location called De Smet, which was also where a branch line to Wallace, Idaho diverged. Later the Wallace Branch was partly abandoned and partly extended along the Clark Fork River to rejoin the original main line at Paradise, Montana, creating a relatively low grade bypass around Evaro Hill. This became the main freight route, with the Evaro Hill line relegated to passenger traffic and the occasional freight overflow. This view of De Smet looks towards Evaro Hill.
