Distinctly Montana Magazine

2022 // Fall

Distinctly Montana Magazine

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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 2 124 ian corridor of the North Fork of the Flathead. Photographers may want to emphasize the distinctive compo- sitions formed at this time near pock- ets of grassland north of Polebridge. Big Prairie, for example, is bordered by an island of aspens which, at peak color, contrasts sharply with adjoining stands of lodgepole pines and the tow- ering peaks of the Livingston Range to the east. Enclaves of alpine larch also punctuate portions of the high coun- try, such as the Boulder and Siyeh Pass areas, with brilliant displays of color, ones that largely coincide with the climax of lowland hardwoods. Local weather conditions, unfortu- nately, can quickly terminate an oth- erwise promising fall-foliage season, prevent it from achieving peak color, or even accelerate its progression. To illustrate these points, a winter storm of historic magnitude, one preceded by gale-force winds, bombarded the northern Rocky Mountain Front and east side of Glacier on September 27- 30, 2019, dumping 41-52 inches of snow from Babb to East Glacier Park. By contrast, 2021 was marked by a prolonged, statewide drought, which normally would adversely affect the onset or intensity of fall color. In Gla- cier, however, the heat abated in ear- ly August and precipitation profiles improved so much that 2021 was, by all accounts, a banner year for leaf

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