Camas Wildflower Historic Culture At Lolo Pass

The blooming camas make fields look like oceans of blue in Western Montana right now. (see photo above) The Camas plant has been important throughout history in the area. How important the flower has been to the Nez Perce people will be the subject of a presentation this week at Lolo Pass.

The presentation, "Camas Is Blooming" from Master Tribal Interpreter Roger Amerman will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (in the Pacific Time Zone) Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 15-17. The event is just over the border in Idaho at Packer Meadow. Amerman will bring traditional camas digging sticks and cooked camas for visitors to review. There will also be a display of Tribal artifacts and artwork.

There will be plenty of room for social distancing and those who attend are encouraged to follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the State of Idaho. The three sessions are sponsored by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. To get to Packer Meadow, drive west to Lolo Pass on Highway 12, and then take Forest Road #373 from the Lolo Pass Visitor Center parking lot. On that dirt road, you'll drive for about a mile and will see the Packer Meadow sign. Drive carefully.

The organizers remind you to follow the Leave No Trace guidelines, stay on the trails, and DO NOT pick the camas flowers. We don't want to damage the meadow. If you need more information about this event and other things that are going on at Lolo Pass this summer, call the Visitor Center at 208 942-3113. The center is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PDT.