Rogers Pass in early March (4/4)

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I haven’t often shared the view of Rogers Pass, but here it is. This was at about the same time as the other images, but this area is still in shadow and the rising sun hasn’t yet shined brightly on this scene. There is a little more snow than in the picture of Bozeman Pass, but the roads are still in great shape, just icy. The ice in the road is creating a reflective surface just on this side of the curve in the foreground. 

This spot isn’t far from the place that recorded the coldest temperature ever recorded in the state. That wasn’t a recent event and although the temperature is well below zero when this was taken, it is still about 50 degrees warmer when this picture was taken than it was when the cold temperature mark was set. 

Rogers Pass is on the Continental Divide, between Missoula and Great Falls. The summit elevation is 5,610 feet, so this location is a bit lower than that. This can be a treacherous stretch of road to drive, though it isn’t the worst pass in the state. That dubious honor would go to Lookout Pass, on the Montana/Idaho border.

It is a good thing that I thought to grab these images yesterday because another snowstorm is working its way through the state today. If you are tempted to think that this is “too much” snow, I’ll leave you with another adage:

If you don’t find joy in the snow, you’ll have less joy in your life, but the same amount of snow.

Written by Rex Trulove

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