Bear Prairie is situated slightly above 2500' elevation at the
crest of Skate Creek Road (also known as the 52 Road). In summer,
the prairie appears as an open grassland, often browsed by deer and
elk. Travellers across this shortcut route between Ashford and
Packwood seldom give it a second glance unless they spot one of
these magnificent animals grazing, but in reality, the prairie is a
unique ecosystem with as many moods as an anxious bride.
If you stop by the side of the road during the months of spring,
you may see a blue heron or sandhill crane poised to grab one of
the myriad frogs which can be heard singing from shallow, unseen
pools. Small ponds frequently dapple the plateau as winter water
recedes. You may see mist rising in threads from hidden marshes or
see ducks poised on the surface of tiny lingering puddles,
searching for an unwary meal of skink or newt. When summer arrives,
the landscape turns from marshy meadow into the prairie environment
which gives it half its name, and in the months of June through
September, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the ursine
half of its moniker as well. Brown bears are not as common here as
they once were, but they can occasionally be seen. Eagles and hawks
hunt and nest in this area, and many varieties of smaller birds are
available to delight the birding enthusiast who has a good pair of
binoculars and boxes to tick off on his Life List. Autumn, that
glorious final act in the annual cycle of wildlife activity, finds
heavy fogs rolling across withered and pale grass, often so thick
that the far side of the prairie is obscured from view.
Today as I passed through, Bear Prairie was in a somber, wintry
mood, standing knee-deep in water and crusted with ice, but she is
often joyous and smiling even when under snow. Today, only a cloud
of pine siskins sang in the brush beside the road while I took
photographs, and then flew off over the prairie, dipping en masse
in farewell.
I would like to invite each one of you who visits to post your
photos of Bear Prairie's moods. If possible, please compose your
shot from the same angle as that posted on the cache page so that
others may see how the prairie changes her face from season to
season.
Please note that Skate Creek Rd. is not maintained during winter
months. It may be closed at any time. Check the road report here
before you make a winter trip.
*Congratulations
to K2D2, local historian and FTF!*