Rex Trulove
I wrote about the area of high pressure that was moving through Montana, bringing bitter cold to the entire state. Although the high pressure ushered in temperatures that were below zero (F), the high pressure also had another effect; clear, sunny skies. Despite very low temperatures, the conditions were superb for some quite beautiful pictures.
These images all came from public webcams yesterday. The only real purpose in sharing them is for the beauty and viewing pleasure. These pictures are great reminders of the adage, “Life isn’t measured in the number of breaths you take but in the number of moments that take your breath away.”
Familiar view with lots of sunlight
Yes, it is the view from Apgar Mountain again. This time, the skies are clear and there is abundant sunshine, even though the temperatures were below zero. Those people who've seen the view in other pictures I've shared might remember the little 4-foot fir tree to the right of center in this view. It is still there. That is the little 'bump' you can see in the snow and it gives a great indication of the snow depth.
Look how crisp and clean those mountains look with the backdrop of crystal clear skies behind them!
Bozeman Pass in early March
Bozeman pass was looking peaceful and beautiful. The front loader in the picture is clearing a place where people can turn around and go the other direction if they need to. Judging from the front loader and the car, it looks like the snow banks are about 3-4 feet deep, but the roads are in good shape and have been graveled.
Lake McDonald, crisp and cold
Here is Lake McDonald, which is shown in the view from Mount Apgar, only this is at the level of the lake. The lake is frozen over as far as the eye can see. That isn't surprising, really, considering that the temperature when this was taken was less than -11 F.
This is another great view of the mountains, bathed in morning sunshine, against a backdrop of very clear skies.
Rogers Pass in early March
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.
Beautiful like a postcard.
I’m thinking that this view would make excellent postcards.
Yes that is what I said. 🙂
Great beautiful picture of a winter wonderland.
Yes, I’m very fond of the beauty of places like this.