Today was epic. Well over 50 flowers ID’d; over 9 miles of walking, with about 6.5 hiking; two new birds, a Snowshoe Hare, a Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, and litterally dozens of fields and hillsides covered in flowers. Plus, the Lab found a couple of big snow drifts and went slighty berserk rolling and snorting and sliding.
Only 60 miles of driving allowed us to go to the tops of MacDonald, Priest, and Mullan Passes. It migh have been fewer miles if it had not been for the fact that the road on the east side of Mullan Pass was totally covered in snow and impassible by any vehicle with wheels.
The hiughlight for me was finding the Hairy Clematis. I have never seen one in the wild (so to speak) before today. MPC ususally sees a couple each year- today we saw dozens. The Glacier Lilys, Spring Beauty, and Sagebrush Buttercups were as thick as dandelions in so many places we kept uttering how unreal it seemed.
Mac Pass (6.300ft) was first. Kittentails, Shooting Stars, and Pasque were in full force. Bluebells were scattered all over the place, and when the Prairie Smoke finally goes to seed, it’s going to be epic. This is where I saw and heard a Dusky Flycatcher and three Red-naped Sapsuckers. Also, two Snowshoe Hares.
Priest Pass (6,000 ft) was next. So many Glacier Lilys and Spring Beautys it was overwhelming. Found a Heart-leafed Arnica. The Lab found a really tannic pond to swim in for a bit- like black tea colored water. He loved it. Found a new yellow Violet – I’m thinking Upland Yellow – Bee Balm, Franklin’s Phacelia, thousands of Bluebells, Fennel, and loads more.
Mullan Pass (5,900ft) was hot and exposed until we got about a mile in and the breeze kicked up and felt great. The Lab found a succession of snowdrifts and went slightly crazy with happiness over being able to slide and roll in snow again. It’s his true joy. There’s a 9 second clip of him on the Instagram feed and a 13 secind version below.
Anyway- 60 miles of driving, 6+ miles of hiking, 5 hours of just nature. This was a good day!
Nature, every day. 
Leave a Reply