May 23, 2011

Flora, fauna of the National Bison Range

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Spring has finally arrived in western Montana, bringing a bouquet of wildflowers and a bevy of wildlife to the Red Sleep Mountain Drive at the National Bison Range near Moiese.

What all did we see along the 19-mile scenic loop through the refuge?

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These flowers:
  • Arrowleaf balsamroot
  • Wild hyacinth
  • Prairie smoke
  • Prairie stars
  • Larkspur
  • Jacob's Ladder
  • Yellow paintbrush
  • Lupine

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These animals:
  • Bison, of course
  • Baby bison, of course
  • A black bear
  • Pronghorn antelope
  • Deer
  • Bluebirds
  • Meadowlarks
  • A pheasant
  • Red-winged blackbirds
  • Painted turtles

And more. Now is a great time to make the drive!

More photos from the National Bison Range are here.

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Distance: 19-mile loop drive. Near the top of the mountain, there are two short trails: the half-mile round-trip Bitterroot Trail and the 1-mile round-trip High Point Trail. There is also a mile-long nature trail near the range's picnic area.

Directions: From Missoula, drive 35 miles north on U.S. Highway 93 to Ravalli, then turn west on Highway 200. After about 6 miles, turn north on Highway 212 and drive about 4.5 miles to the entrance at Moiese.