Plateau Mountain

A small lichen-covered, rocky outcrop in the alpine meadows at Plateau Mountain. In the near distance on the left is the gravel road used to drive up to the oil area on the top plateau of Plateau Mountain. The gate that is a long way down the mountain on this road is always kept locked, so it means a long walk uphill to reach the alpine meadows. Also means a much further walk (see the winding continuation of the oil road in the distance, which goes a long way off to the right of my photo) if one wants to get to the flat plateau top, which forms the protected Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve. This nearly flat high-elevation plateau is unique and includes a delicate ice cave and areas of permafrost - I haven't been up to this top plateau for about 30 years; just too far for me to hike.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryas_octopetala