Researchers are trying to unravel the mystery of snow that falls but never shows up in the river. Bella Biondini/High Country News High winds tore at Gothic Mountain as the sleeping giant watched over the cabins nestled in Gothic, Colorado, a remote outpost accessible only by skis during the valley’s harsh alpine winters. The plumes … Continue reading The Case of the Colorado River’s Missing Water
Despite decades of research, myth and fear still surround the animals. Image credit: Sarah Gilman/High Country News Sarah Gilman/High Country News Last winter, I went walking on a gray afternoon between storms. Meltwater pattered the snow around the ponderosas. Fog wound through overhanging boughs. My dog, Taiga, strained at her leash. We turned up a ravine, climbing … Continue reading The Mystery of Mountain Lions
New studies show how high-intensity fires alter flower pollen, soil health and tree growth. Susan Prichard records data while doing research in an area affected by the Carlton Complex fire near Twisp, Washington. Her team’s research found that tree thinning and prescribed burns can help mature trees survive even extremely big and hot fires. David … Continue reading Extreme Wildfires are Changing Western Forests