As Hurricane Ridge Road gains elevation it passes from dense lowland conifer forest into subalpine terrain, where shorter growing seasons and heavy snowpack produce scattered, wind-shaped trees and open meadows. These high slopes erupt in wildflowers during the brief summer and offer expansive views unobstructed by the tall timber of lower elevations.
See how the trees are shrinking and thinning around you? You're climbing out of the deep forest now and into the subalpine, where the growing season is short and the snow lies long. The big timber gives way to scattered, wind-flagged firs and open slopes that will burst into wildflower meadows come summer. Roll the window down if it's warm. The air up here is thinner, cooler, sharper than the valley you left an hour ago. The mountains are about to stop hiding behind the forest and show themselves.
Photo: Cody Logan (Clpo13) · CC BY-SA 4.0
