SuzAnne Miller is the owner of Dunrovin Ranch. A fourth-generation Montanan, SuzAnne grew up roaming the mountains and fishing the streams of western Montana. Her love of nature, animals, science, and education prompted her to create the world’s first cyber ranch where live web cameras bring Dunrovin’s wildlife and ranch life to internet users across the globe.
Lolo Peak towers over the north end of the Bitterroot Valley and the city of Missoula. They are iconic land marks, inspiring many business names such as Lolo Peak Brewery, Peak Automotive, and others that dot the commercial districts of Lolo and Missoula. Carlton Ridge forms the eastern shoulder of Lolo Peak and is stunning in its own right. It boasts the largest expanse of alpine larch forest in the United States with numerous ancient (over 500 year old) alpine larch, white pine, and (over 400 years old) Engelmann spruce trees. Larch are one of few deciduous (trees that drop their leaves each year) conifer (cone-bearing) tree species. They put on spectacular display in both spring and autumn. In spring their new needles are a delicate pea green and soft to the touch; while in autumn their needles turn a bright yellow before dropping to the forest floor, creating a golden trail which surely leads to the land of Oz. It is irresistibly beautiful.
I have often refereed to Carlton Ridge as my Autumn Cathedral. Nature’s beauty is my soul’s siren. I cannot resist. It is where I find God. Timing is everything to experience its full glory. Luckily, Carlton Ridge is fully visible from Dunrovin and we are able to keep a watchful eye on it as September arrives and fall breezes stir. Go too early and you will miss the show; go too late and snow will block your way or a fierce early fall wind will take the needles to the ground in one night. This year we timed it perfectly.
Starting with frost on the truck windows and the horses romping around in the cool weather, a group of Dunrovin riders drove the five miles up a steep and narrow dirt road to the Lolo Peak trail head. Climbing for over four miles to arrive at the top of the ridge, the riders broke out into the full splendor of a clear fall day with a blue sky surrounded by a forest of gold with gnarled tree trucks and twisted limbs characteristic of the alpine forests. It was heaven, truly heaven.
The low autumn sun played with the lenses on photographer Laurie Childs‘ camera with great results.
A forest fire in Idaho was clearly visible in the distance to the west which did not diminish the splendor of the mountain vista.
How blessed I am to be living among the natural wonders of Montana and to live with such strong and willing horses who have so often taken me, family, and friends deep into the back country to experience such beauty.