Bitterroot Mountains near Hamilton, MT

a hard rain all the evening we are all Cold and wet.
William Clark

our hunters all joined us one of them had killed a Deer
Joseph Whitehouse

Photo date: September 10, 2008

Rain clouds and mountains with some snow

Bitterroot River near Florence, MT

we Set out eairly and proceeded on down this creek which is now verry large.
-John Ordway-

Photo date: Early in the morning on September 11, 2009

Early morning light on a smooth river

Brittle Prickly Pear (Opuntia fragili)

on this part of the river on the head of Clarks River I observe great quantities of a peculiar Sort of Prickly peare...
-William Clark-

Learn more: Wikipedia | Wikimedia Commons

This plant was just a few miles southeast of Travelers' Rest.
Photo date: September 9, 2009

Several small green bulbs with 2 inch thorns

Brittle Prickly Pear (Opuntia fragili)

...with Strong Thorns which is So birded as to draw the Pear from the Cluster after penetrateing our feet
-William Clark-

Learn more: Wikipedia | Wikimedia Commons

This plant was just a few miles southeast of Travelers' Rest.
Photo date: September 9, 2009

Small green bulbs with 2 inch spikes