Bitterroots are beginning to bloom in the North Hills, one of the best spots to see them in Missoula.

The Waterworks Hill trailhead, for the ridge just north of downtown, is on the west side of Greenough Drive, about a quarter-mile north of the Interstate 90 overpass. Follow the trail along the fenceline up the hill to the northwest. Look for the pointed pink petals of bitterroots on the gravelly ground just off the rock-lined path. Waterworks Hill’s caretakers ask that hikers stay on the trail.

Reader Steve Slocomb reports that he is seeing them in the foothills above Corvallis in the Bitterroot Valley. See his photos here.

Anyone else seeing them on trails outside of Missoula? I’d love to take a trip out of town to find them this year.

Justin Grigg