Rogers Pass Area, Rocky Mountain Front, Helena National Forest, Montana
The plan for the day was to follow the actual continental divide from Rogers Pass over to Lewis and Clark Pass. While there is a trail for some of the way, mostly the trail was "near the divide". So I was "near" the trail most of the day. Right near Rogers Pass is the spot that has the coldest recorded temperature in the continental United States at 70 degrees below zero back in January of 1954. Fortunately it was much warmer in the area today. As I started up the first rather steep rise lots of flowers were in bloom, and in them were my first Pasque flowers of the year. Some were just opening up like this one.
Others were fully opened and hanging out with their friends. But all were pretty. I found them all along the route, even on the summit of Green Mountain.
Lots of Prairie Smoke along the ridge, just a few had already turned to the seed heads. These were the first seed heads this year. I like the attitude they have.
Nothing prepared me for what I found along the first ridge and down to Cadotte Pass. There was a riot of color predominantly blues of alpine Forget-Me-Not's with others mixed in. The smell was unexpected, but with so many flowers all blooming at once there was a strong sweet smell blowing in the gentle breeze.
As I started the climb up from Cadotts Pass up to the second unnamed highpoint (lots of those here in Montana) I kept passing through sections that were flower covered. The sky was so clear and blue at times it was continuous between flowers and sky.
A few cairns were along the ridge that were markers for the CDT route. I was the remains of two wooden posts and their signs, they just don't last in the winter winds along the divide.
The east side of the mountains always warms up and melts out faster than the rest of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, but there was still some snow holding on. The views were great and when not in the forested sections I could see a long way.
I ran into a stretch that was a bit moister and grassy that had lots of Shooting Stars and a few Glacier Lily.
I searched around a bit and finally located the small spring on the side of Green Mountain. Cold, clear water comes out of the ground and runs for about 200 yards then disappears again. Lots of critter tracks in the area, including some bear tracks. But no bear was there for me to see today. It was a great place for a rest and to eat my second lunch at.
Also near the spring were these Ballhead Waterleaf. I see the plants quite a bit but don't see them in bloom much.
Just feet from the summit of Green Mountain there were patches of flowers trying to eek out a living in the short growing season available to them. I marvel at the tenacity they have to survive here.
I did drop down to Lewis and Clark Pass (yes they crossed here on their way home) but then decided that I was getting tired and the day late. So I took the trail back to the truck so I could get to the small town of Lincoln and the hamburger and blackberry shake that were waiting for me at the cafe.
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