Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

Road to Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

From SR 200 we turned north onto SR 56 (Bull River Road). Around 18-miles north of the SR 56, SR 200 intersection we turned west on a National Forest Road to the Ross Creek Ancient Cedars.

I would give you better directions but you just have to look for the official sign pointing to the Ross Creek Ancient Cedars. This is the National Forest road taking us to the Ross Creek Ancient Cedars.

Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

How these trees escaped lumbering, --- one can only speculate. However, in 1960, the beauty and serenity of these giant cedars were preserved for all to enjoy when Ross Creek Scenic Area was established by Northern Regional Forester Charles Tebbe. This scenic 100-acre plot is closed to logging and mineral entry, and is managed for its scientific and recreational values.

Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

Ross Creek Ancient Cedars is one of the most popular attractions in northwestern Montana .

Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

I am getting Joyce to stand by the trees, at Ross Creek Ancient Cedars, to give perspective to their size.

Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

The base of these red cedar trees in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars, spreads out very much like cypress trees.

Ancient Cedar in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

This was one of the few trees that had enough light to grow branches almost from the ground to the crown here in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars.

Huge ancient Cedar tree at Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

Joyce is graciously helping to give an indication of how large some of these trees are.

Mike beside one of the cedar trees in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

I was intrigued with this knot on the trunk of a huge cedar tree.

Giant fern patch in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

In addition to the giant cedars in the sky the ground is littered with beautiful fern, in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars.

Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

Management of the area does not include removal of hazard trees in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars, so take care when conditions are windy.

Note that this large tree has split and could come crashing down at any time.

Large Cedar tree in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

It is difficult to capture the size of these ancient cedar trees in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars.

Cedar tree cones in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars

These trees had extremely small cones. Joyce is holding 4 of them that we picked up in Ross Creek Ancient Cedars.