mypubliclands:

#mypubliclandsroadtrip #TriviaTuesday, can you guess what creature the Axolotl Lakes in Montana are named after?

Montana’s Axolotl Lakes are named after a peculiar creature that live just under their waters. The Montana axolotl is a barred tiger salamander stuck in the larva stage. So essentially, this creature is half-fish and half-salamander.

Axolotl Lakes are roughly 15 miles from Ennis, Montana, and the basin is the only place these strange axolotls are found in the state besides a few lakes by Yellowstone.

In addition to axolotls, the small lakes within the Axolotl Basin boast populations of cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and arctic fluvial grayling. While enjoying a little fishing on the lakes, don’t be surprised if you spot a wide variety of wildlife including elk, redtail hawks, eagles, moose and the occasional black bear along with many other species.

Axolotl Cabin is operated by the BLM field office in Dillon, Montana, and can be reserved through recreation.gov. The cabin offers spectacular views of the Madison valley from the deck and overlooks Axolotl Lake. The cabin sleeps a maximum of seven people on a queen bed, queen-size fold out futon, and three bunks. For more information about Axolotl Cabin, visit http://on.doi.gov/1KrxXh1.

To find out more about Axolotl Lakes, check out http://on.doi.gov/1NnRCUh.

-Story and photos by Alyse Backus, BLM Montana/ Dakotas

This was close to one of my field camp sites, yet I never knew about it. I need to visit.