The rain is finally here. Our first measurable rainfall came yesterday, and hasn’t stopped since. The mountains are getting snow, too, above 5,000 feet. The summer of 2017 is now officially the driest and hottest in recorded history for Montana. Good riddance.
I had to get out into the woods. On my way to the mountains, this bison blocked me on a narrow, dangerous road. Eventually he let me pass.
Two days ago, we had an amazing smoke-free evening in Montana. So I went out into the woods and encountered this majestic buck, along with some of his friends.
Earlier in the summer, well before the smoke and fires, I was fortunate to spend a glorious day in the Bitterroot National Forest. This 1.587 million acre national forest straddles the Montana/Idaho border, culminating in the spectacular 10,157 foot Trapper Peak.
Most people visit Montana because of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. But I find the Bitterroots to be just as scenic. It’s likely the range would be a national park, if not for the other two.
We had a rare smoke free day in Montana yesterday, so I had to take advantage. I explored a location about 45 minutes from Missoula, and came face to face with this black bear.
This image was captured at 11:30 last night, from Missoula, Montana.
The Lolo Peak fire has been a monster from the beginning, and shows no signs of slowing down. For most of July and August, it burned in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and adjacent national forest land. But now it’s burning down the ridge, towards Highway 93.
