Crescent Meadows - 1945 and 2019

The trail leading into Crescent Meadows loops west to the Snowshoe Mine and then back down Crooked Creek to its confluence with Big Creek, near the Monumental Bridge. Crescent Meadows saw much more activity than it does today, what with an operating mine nearby and abundant elk moving through the area. In the historical photograph, a member of a hunting party, Homer Martin, stands in front of an open meadow that was most likely grazed and browsed upon by domestic stock and cattle, as well as ungulates such as elk.

After the Clear Creek Complex fire in 2000, the willows in Crescent Meadows rebounded heartily and filled the meadows in thick clumps. The hillsides, once covered with conifers, are much the opposite, with only sparse mosaic patterns of trees spared from the flames. This photograph pair demonstrates how fire initiated the cycle of succession in the meadow and on the hillsides.

Location: Crescent Meadows Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, ID

Latitude & Longitude: 45.188, -115.0373