In October of 2021, I went to the Lost Trail Wildlife Refuge with my parents and niece. Located about eight miles north of Marion after turning off of Highway 2 onto Pleasant Valley Road, we weren’t sure what this refuge would be like.
We were pleasantly surprised by how beautiful Lost Trail Wildlife Refuge is. Above is one of the photos I had taken of Dahl Lake. Everywhere you look there are views worth seeing.
A birders paradise, the website stated that Great Grey Owls, Great Horned Owls, Eagles and Hummingbirds can be seen in the refuge depending on the season. While talking with the staff at the visitors center, we learned that the refuge is visited by migratory ducks and geese. She also said that we might spot a pheasant or two.
We caught sight of a grizzly bear near Dahl Lake. It was hunting something on the southern shore of the lake. When we were talking to the ranger at the visitors center she said that we were really lucky to see one. They tend to come through the area in the spring and fall. We also spotted a Moose in a marshy area of the refuge. My not so wonderful photo above was my attempt to capture an image of it. Upon leaving the visitor center, we saw a herd of 45 to 50 elk. It was an amazing day for seeing wild animals in their natural habitat.
Lost Trail Wildlife Refuge is pursuing an International Dark Sky Place Designation. This is meant to protect the views of the night sky from light pollution. There were several beautiful photos of night sky taken from inside the Refuges boundaries on display in the Visitors Center. There is no camping within the boundaries of the refuge. However, if you are a stargazer, you can stop at a pullover and set up a camera or telescope and view the night sky for an hour or two.
Before leaving the Refuge and heading home, we stopped at an interactive interpretive site. Bente, my niece, climbed one of the large rocks at the site. She was quite proud, climbing up all by herself.
The visitor center had wonderful photos of animals as well as hides and feathers. The Ranger allowed my niece to touch and feel the animal fur and feathers. She also had nests from birds, as well as other nature exhibits. We had a very educational visit with the Ranger about animals and their habits and habitats.
Above is my favorite picture, that I took that day. To me it looks like an impressionistic painting. I hope that funding for the refuge continues and that this beautiful place will remain protected. Going to Lost Trail Wildlife Refuge was an amazing, fun and educational experience.
Cats Out of the Box 