Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 77 view to the west. e Carlton Ridge Research Natural Area boasts the most extensive forest of alpine larch in the United States. In late September, Carlton Ridge becomes a cathedral of gold. Twisted by heavy winter snows, the white bark pine and larch intermix to create a spiritual, magical place, where one expects a woodland elf or troll to appear. Bright sunlight casts playful shad- ows and stirs your imagination. e thin mountain air makes you giddy with joy. It is a place that replenishes the soul. Timing is everything. After Labor Day, we keep a careful eye on the mountain, waiting for the first signs of color to tinge the top of the ridge. We wait and we wait. We are greedy. We want the alpine larch forest at the height of its golden glory. Yet if we wait too long, the trees become inaccessible. A little new snow adds much to our excitement, while too much snow makes the trail impassable. Last year, our timing was perfect. Stirring up larch needles through carpets of gold, our horses' feet led us up and up to that golden cathedral under a crisp blue autumn sky. It cast its spell, fill- ing our hearts and eyes and lungs with the majesty of the moun- tains. e splendor of the moment is made all the more acute by its ephemeral nature. is cannot last; it passes quickly. It is to be savored. It can only live in our memories. When not mountain riding, you will find the Dunrovin crew out in the orchard harvesting pears, apples, apricots, and plums. Entire weekends are spent canning and cooking and conjuring up plum liquor to give away as Christmas gifts. Apricots, apples, and plums are cooked into a slurry, spread out in a dryer, and made into fruit leather for snacks to take along on next year's trail rides. Fallen apples and pears are chopped and fed to the horses. ey love harvest time as much as we do. Late September's and early October's slower pace and lingering warm weather offer Dunrovin the opportunity to pause from our normal activities and focus more mindfully on our relationship with our animals. During the last week of September, we celebrate our animals, first with our Dunrovin Holistic Animal Wellness Week (beginning September 23rd) and then with a formal blessing of the animals on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4. PAM VOTH DANIEL BIRLUT DEBI LORENC TAMAR KASBERG Carleton Ridge ride Dunrovin grapes

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