Natural History Wanderings

Washington Trails Association has a number of new hike reports that mention wildflower bloom. Most of wildflower descriptions are pretty sketchy but they might give a rough idea of what is happening on the trails. Here are excerpts:

Snoquera Palisades — May 14, 2013 — South Cascades — Chinook Pass – Enumclaw or Hwy 410 area
The first section of this hike is very beautiful– large rock outcroppings, heavy with moss, and a beautiful waterfall. At about 3000 ft or so, I was delighted to find a generous sprinkling of Calypso orchids (Calypso bulbosa) – more than I have ever seen in one spot. One of them was right on the trail, and it was nearly white which is unusual coloring. ….Also along side were (yellow) violets, probably Viola glabella although I did not verify.

Skookum Flats — May 14, 2013 — South Cascades — Chinook Pass – Enumclaw or Hwy 410 area
There’s early season wildflowers along the trail, notably calypso orchids, as well as the last of the trillium. Vanilla leaf is just coming into blossom.

Fourth of July Creek to Icicle Ridge — May 13, 2013 — Central Cascades — Leavenworth Area
LOTS of flowers with no snow until 6k 6-7k elevation snow gains quick and is very soft. Snow in spots over our heads

West Access, Chybinski Loop, Perimeter Loop Trail, Bullitt Gorge, Bullitt Fireplace, Central Peak — May 13, 2013 — Issaquah Alps — Squak Mountain
Vanilla Leaf, Miner’s Lettuce, Solomon’s Seal in full bloom, others about to flower along Chybinski.

Keystone Ridge — May 12, 2013 — Central Cascades — Entiat Mountains
The balsamroot and lupine and scarlet gilia and many other wildflowers took my mind off the heat….Just as I was going to remark that about the only wildflower we had not seen was bitterroot Suzanne pointed some out. A whole lot of them. Clumps of two dozen at once. I’m used to bitterroot on open dirt and rock slopes. Here they were mixed in with many other flowers in the grass.Lots of wildflowers along the road. Added to the mix were lots of Tweedy’s lewisia. One of my favorite spring wildflowers….The views were outstanding. The wildflower show was superb.

Frenchman Coulee— May 12, 2013 — Eastern Washington — Wenatchee
Asters and Queen Ann Lace were in bloom but will not last long as summer is in full swing in this area of Washington.

Deception Pass Headlands – Rosario Head – Lighthouse Point — May 12, 2013 — Puget Sound and Islands — North Sound
Saw lots of wildflowers including my favorite, Indian Paintbrush.

Beezley Hills Preserve — May 12, 2013 — Eastern Washington — Wenatchee
The flowers here are quite something – such an amazing diversity of species. Some day I would love to visit this place with a native plant specialist. I’d say that this area is past its spring prime for wildflowers, but there was still plenty to enjoy. Bitterroot is at its peak, sticking its little pink flowers right out of cracks in the drying soil. I was on a quest to see the hedgehog cactus in bloom. The kids and I looked everywhere, and all of the cacti seemed to have bloomed out. Finally, as we neared our turn-around, there was a bloomer right in the middle of the trail. Success!

To see full reports for the above and more hike reports go to: Trip Reports — Washington Trails Association.