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at the time. A large bison bull took over the High Point Trail one August
afternoon and prevented anyone from hiking to the summit, where one may
encounter Bighorn sheep and take in the scenic 360 degree views — the
Mission Mountains to the east, the Mission Valley looking north to Flat-
head Lake, and the Flathead River and Salish Mountains to the west.
e diversity of ecosystems accounts for over 200 bird species recorded here.
Once while visiting, the dusky grouse refuses to get off the road near the summit;
it flew up on the top of our car and scolded us before moving on. Golden eagles
and Lewis' Woodpeckers are seen on the way down the mountain. Numerous
grassland nesters frequent the flats, including Meadowlarks, Lazuli Buntings, and
Vesper Sparrows. Along Mission Creek, lined with cottonwoods and juniper, we
see Great Horned Owls and various waterfowl. Trumpeter Swans have nested the
past two years on a pond near the entrance and picnic area.
ere is a paved trail around the pond. One autumn I walked directly into
a rutting bull elk in his day bed here. He arose and began tearing up vegeta-
tion with his antlers, behavior I'd encountered twice before in the Yellowstone
backcountry. is is a serious warning of aggression, not an expression of
mere agitation. I left — quickly. Following the Range's rules (no walking
away from the car except for designated hiking trails) and using common
Bighorn rams near the summit
and High Point Trail
Move over, Bald Eagle, now the bison has become the first
official mammal of the United States. Legislation passed
the House and Senate in May 2016 and President Obama
signed the National Legacy Act into law.
Switchbacks on Red Sleep Mountain Drive,
with the Salish Mountains in the background
