D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 1
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largest of these trees, known locally as "Gus," is officially recog-
nized in the National Register of Champion Trees as the largest
western larch in America. The 153-foot-tall, snaggle-toothed
patriarch of the Girard Grove has a diameter of 7 feet, 3 inches
and circumference of 22 feet, 9 inches. It is believed to be approxi-
mately 1,000 years old.
The Holy Grail for leaf peepers is, of course, foliage at peak
color. The time at which it occurs, unfortunately, is impossible to
predict with absolute precision. Western larches usually peak at
some point during the second half of October. To tilt the odds of
witnessing this great crescendo of color in your favor, carefully
monitor foliage reports and weather conditions for areas that you
plan to visit during the weeks immediately before your intend-
ed departure. If circumstances allow you to exercise flexibility
in scheduling or, if need be, rescheduling your itinerary, do so
accordingly. If you follow this strategy and are blessed by the pro-
verbial weather gods, you may ultimately conclude that nothing is
so close to Heaven on Earth as the Northern Rockies in fall.
The largest
of these trees,
KNOWN LOCALLY AS
"GUS," IS OFFICIALLY
RECOGNIZED IN THE
NATIONAL REGISTER
OF CHAMPION TREES
AS THE LARGEST
WESTERN LARCH
IN AMERICA.
GLACIER GLACIER
NATIONAL NATIONAL
PARK PARK
MISSOULA MISSOULA
ROBERT
SCHMITTOU
(2)
DOUG
STEVENS
