Wild Horse Island Hike: Exploring a Montana Gem
February 15, 2024
Hiking on Wild Horse Island
Hiking on Wild Horse Island in Flathead Lake provides a rather unique experience. The island, accessible only by boat, features several trails suitable for various fitness levels. These trails lead through different types of environments, including rocky areas and forested paths. The island is known for its wildlife, including bighorn sheep, and offers views of the lake and nearby mountains. It’s a day-use area, meaning overnight stays aren’t permitted.
The Bighorn Sheep of Wild Horse Island
Wild Horse Island, a gem in Flathead Lake, has become a crucial habitat for bighorn sheep. Historically, the Salish-Kootenai used the island as a pasture for horses to prevent theft. The introduction of bighorn sheep to the island was a conservation effort aimed at conserving these iconic creatures.
Their robust, curved horns, which can weigh up to 30 pounds, serve as symbols of status and weapons in dramatic clashes during the mating season. These horns grow throughout their lives, marking the passage of time with layers like the rings of a tree.
Physiologically adapted to rugged landscapes, bighorn sheep have specialized hooves with cushioned undersides that grip better than any climbing shoe, allowing them to navigate steep, rocky terrains with astonishing ease. Their keen eyesight complements this agility, enabling them to spot predators from great distances. The sheep’s diet, primarily grasses and plants, is meticulously chosen to suit their high-altitude habitat, showcasing their ecological niche.
I believe this bighorn was the world record by the Boone and Crockett Club. This ram achieved a final score of 216-3/8 inches, surpassing the previous world-record ram by nearly 7 inches. It was found dead of natural causes
Calochortus macrocarpus, commonly known as the sagebrush mariposa lily, is a distinctive perennial bulbous plant native to the western United States, including Montana. This species is identifiable by its large, showy flowers, which typically exhibit a range of colors from lavender to violet, with a base marked by a darker purple or maroon blotch. The flowers, blooming from late spring to early summer, are supported by slender stems, emerging from linear, basal leaves that wither by flowering time. Calochortus macrocarpus thrives in well-drained soils within sagebrush steppe ecosystems, grasslands, and open forest clearings. Its bulbs serve as a food source for rodents and other small mammals, while its flowers attract various pollinators. Despite facing threats from habitat destruction and overgrazing, Calochortus macrocarpus does not currently hold a status of concern in Montana, indicating a stable population within its native range.
