Missoulian reporter Michael Moore recently took a hike up to Ch-paa-qn, the pinnacle that “shines” northwest of town, where he found lots of views and lots of beargrass.

Here’s an excerpt:

The best thing that Ch-paa-qn had going for it on the Fourth was the beargrass. It’s everywhere, in sweeping cream spikes that appear like gleaming, incandescent candles in the green woods.

The beargrass on the mountain’s higher slopes isn’t in full bloom yet, nor is the lupine. I imagine a trip up there in the next week or two would be a flower extravaganza.

Check out the rest of the story here, and check out a blog Moore contributes to here.

Justin Grigg