It was a longer drive, a rougher road, and totally worth it. There were larches in full golden regalia almost from the trailhead. Unlike the small larches of the last trip, these were monsters. Huge trees with bulbous, gnarled braches. What a spectacular place. Even the boy was stoked.

I like to think I have a pretty good idea about the natural places we visit. I know that mountain and that mountain. I know this tree and that tree. Certainly I know my favorite Mountain and my favorite tree, right? Right?

Well, back in 2016 I was convinced the big volcano that dominated the view was Rainier. Nope. It was Adams. And on this trip I was so impressed with how large these larches were compared to the ones seen higher in the mountains. Guess what?

There's a difference between an alpine larch and a western larch. Who knew? Not me!

Little Larix lyallii can grow to be 25 meters tall and typically lives at elevations above 1,800 meters. Big boy Larix occidentalis can get to 60 meters tall and typically doesn't grow above 2,400 meters.

Both are deciduous conifers with needles that turn golden yellow in the autumn and then fall off. Both have glorious bright green growth in the spring with needles that are surprisingly soft. And both are worth visiting whenever you get the chance.

Next time you think you're in the know, question yourself. Maybe, like me, you'll learn something new. That's almost as cool as seeing two different kinds of larches in the same year.